How To Keep Paddling Pool Water Clean Without Chemicals

what to add to paddling pool water?

(31 Posts)

catsofa Mon 25-Jun-18 15:49:57

I've just blown up and filled the large paddling pool, and I want to leave it full and inflated for a few days or until the water gets too dirty.

What can I add to the water to reduce how germy it gets?

Is tea tree oil OK, or could it harm the plastic pool? What about a tiny amount of bleach - how much will kill bacteria versus how much will be too much for my toddler to swim in?

Advice please, what do you do?

Aprilshouldhavebeenmyname Mon 25-Jun-18 15:52:54

Please don't put bleach in!!
Can't think any amount is safe!!
Just add dc!!

PestoSurfissimos Mon 25-Jun-18 15:53:17

NewNewName Mon 25-Jun-18 15:53:20

Nothing. Certainly not bleach?! Just change the water. If it 'too much hassle' to change the water often, you've probably got it too deep anyway.

dodobookends Mon 25-Jun-18 16:10:44

No, not chlorine tablets, they will sink to the bottom and not dissolve properly.

To dose the water correctly you need to calculate the volume of water first anyway. Once you know that, you will need to test the water using swimming pool test strips, and then you can use the recommended dose of chlorine granules, following the manufacturer's instructions.

~~My NDN always used an eggcupful of ordinary bleach in theirs~~

catsofa Mon 25-Jun-18 16:41:53

Bleach is basically what's in tap water already isn't it? Obviously v v v v v diluted!

PestoSurfissimos Mon 25-Jun-18 17:34:01

You can use chlorine tabs. You just need to dissolve the correct quantity in a bucket of water separately before adding to the paddling pool. But yes, chlorine granules are probs easier.

Namechange128 Mon 25-Jun-18 17:40:16

The dermatologists prescribed twice weekly baths with a cup of bleach for our eczema suffering DD, so it's not as crazy as it might sound.
However we don't add anything to paddling pool water

Wolfiefan Mon 25-Jun-18 17:44:24

Nothing! Tip it away when it gets too grim.

QueenoftheSilverDollar12 Mon 25-Jun-18 17:47:11

Some Dettol? Or liquid Savlon?

Kursk Mon 25-Jun-18 17:48:10

Bleach is fine, it's chlorine and in tap water. 1 part per million is a safe ratio.

chocolatesprinkle Mon 25-Jun-18 17:49:16

I've heard it all now! Why can't you simply refill it every day?

happymummy12345 Mon 25-Jun-18 17:49:59

There's been a similar thread abut this already today.
Someone suggested Milton fluid because it's obviously safe for little ones. (Plus it smells amazing)

Flyingpompom Mon 25-Jun-18 17:50:27

LimboLuna Mon 25-Jun-18 17:52:09

I water the plants with mine and refill it the next use. Hate the bloody thing I seem to spend all day fishing insects out

I know you can get those floating dispenser things you can get for hot tubs in the range

IWantMyHatBack Mon 25-Jun-18 17:53:08

Yeah, Milton would be fine

Freetogo Mon 25-Jun-18 17:56:14

Anything you put in it will get in DCs eyes when they splash.

There will be mice & foxes in it tonight having a cool down together, whilst chatting about their day, so I would change it daily.

Kursk Mon 25-Jun-18 17:57:20

Yeah, Milton would be fine

Ummm for all those who don't think bleach is a good idea. You do know that Milton is diluted bleach @5%

chocolatesprinkle Mon 25-Jun-18 18:00:06

Water doesn't cost any more the more you use. Tip it out at the end of the day and refill it the next day. I still can't believe you'd consider adding bleach to it for the sake of ten mins' filling it up.

BlueUggs Mon 25-Jun-18 18:12:26

It does if you're on a water meter chocolate sprinkles?!!

Namechange128 Mon 25-Jun-18 18:18:30

I'm with you @BlueUggs. @chocolatesprinkle lots of us are on water meters, and also importantly really don't like wasting fresh water, especially in a heat wave...

booellesmum Mon 25-Jun-18 18:24:52

Go on Amazon and look up kiddy-safe paddling pool treatment. It comes in sachets that you can pour into the water.
Either that or buy chlorine tablets/dispenser and testing strips.

oreosoreosoreos Mon 25-Jun-18 18:25:22

Lol at 10 mins to fill up - we've got an 8ft one, it takes about 4 hours!

catsofa Mon 25-Jun-18 20:48:11

I've put a fitted double bed sheet over it, so no foxes will be swimming in it overnight!

It is big enough and my hosepipe tap connector is bad enough that it takes ages to fill, so I don't want to empty and refill it five times this week. Plus yes, what a waste!

I'll order some proper chlorinator for future use but for now I think I've got some dettol somewhere so I'll stick a small capfull of that in. I'm no clean freak but bugs like warm water and it looks like this weather is set to last a while.

blondieMummy91 Mon 25-Jun-18 21:18:31

How can your pool stay clean? Mine never does it always mucky by end of the day I simply pour it out and re fill next day smile