What Does Chlorine Really Do?

Chlorine is the backbone of pool water treatment, but it’s not a one-stop solution. While it’s great at killing many germs and bacteria, chlorine struggles when faced with certain issues. This relates to things like stubborn algae, cloudy water, and chlorine-resistant parasites. If you're wondering how to get rid of algae in pool fast or how to clear cloudy pool water naturally, you’ll need to go beyond chlorine alone.

In this guide here, we’ll cover what chlorine does, what it doesn’t do, and how to create a truly healthy, sparkling pool using smart products like pool clarifier, enzyme treatment, and other natural pool supplies.

Why Your Pool Smells Like Chlorine (And Why That’s a Problem)

You might assume a strong chlorine smell means your pool is clean, but that’s a myth. What you’re actually smelling are chloramines, the byproducts created when chlorine reacts with body oils, sweat, and yes, even trace fecal matter. Not only do chloramines cause eye irritation, dry skin, and that sticky hair feeling, but they also indicate that chlorine in your pool is being used up. Once chlorine binds to contaminants, it loses its disinfecting power, which leaves your water vulnerable to germs.

To reduce chloramines and boost clarity:

• Shock the pool regularly
• Use a biodegradable pool clarifier
• Consider an eco-friendly pool water treatment to help chlorine do its job (like our kit here)

If your goal is to clean pool water effectively and safely, this is a critical step in the process.

Why Chlorine Struggles with Crypto (And What to Do About It)

We are going to get a little heady here, but stick with us! Cryptosporidium (Crypto) is a parasite that comes from fecal matter. Unfortunately for us, it’s resistant to chlorine, even at high concentrations. Thanks to its protective outer shell (oocyst), it can survive for up to 10 days in chlorinated water.

If ingested, Crypto can cause severe diarrhea and take 1–2 weeks to show symptoms. By then, swimmers often forget they were ever in a pool.

So how do you protect your pool? The answer is removal, not just disinfection. Use a pool clarifier to trap microscopic contaminants like Crypto so your filter can remove them. Residential pools rarely have UV systems, making clarifiers and specialty chemicals like Phosphate 9000 essential tools.

How to Get Rid of Algae and Clear Cloudy Pool Water Naturally

If you're dealing with a green or cloudy pool, you're not alone, this is incredibly common and normal. These issues are often caused by unfiltered organic debris and high phosphate levels in your pool.

Here’s how to get rid of algae in your pool fast: remove phosphates! Phosphates are a key growth nutrient for algae. Algae is stubborn and often comes back over and over when using algaecides.  Eliminate the food source with Phosphate 9000 (included in our Closing and Opening kits), instead of being reactivated and killing the algae we are proactive in starving the algae. 

• Use algaecide for green pool treatment
• Add a natural or biodegradable pool clarifier to capture fine particles
• Take care of your filter! (Filtration is the lifeblood of any pool)

Looking for how to clear cloudy pool water naturally? These steps will help you restore a sparkling pool without harsh chemicals. Be sure your pool opening kit or pool maintenance routine includes these solutions for best results.

Smarter Pool Maintenance with the Right Supplies

Chlorine is essential, but it’s just one part of a smart pool treatment plan. Whether you're prepping for summer with a pool opening kit, or getting ready to shut down with a pool closing kit, it’s crucial to:

• Maintain proper pool water chemistry
• Reduce chloramines and waste with clarifiers and enzymes
• Stock up on pool supplies that support long-term health

Explore our various kits made of natural pool supplies to enhance your water care strategy. A well-treated pool doesn’t just look clear, it is clean, safe, and swim-ready.