Azure water in the pool from hydrogen peroxide: how much to add and how?

For several years now, the topic of cleaning pool water with peroxide has been discussed on forums and various YouTube channels. The visible effect is truly amazing: after a day, green water turns into crystal clear, and all this happens against the background of the absence of an aggressive odor. Inspired by the laudatory reviews, many immediately rush to find out how much hydrogen peroxide to add to the pool and how to do it correctly.

What kind of hydrogen peroxide is needed to purify pool water?

Many people know hydrogen peroxide as a medicine that cleans wounds and stops bleeding. The liquid is colorless and odorless, transparent. For medicinal purposes, a weak solution of H2O2 is used - 3%. Hydrogen peroxide is also of industrial importance. In high concentrations it is used as jet fuel and a bleaching agent in textile production.

To purify pool water, you need a hydrogen peroxide concentrate - 30–60% (perhydrol).

The main purpose of such a liquid is technical. Therefore, you need to look for it in stores that sell pool chemicals or others.

How much hydrogen peroxide should I add to the pool?

At home, pool water is purified with perhydrol solutions of varying concentrations. According to the percentage of the solution and the volume of water in the pool, the amount of the drug is calculated.

The average required for water purification is taken as a basis - 276.5 g of pure hydrogen peroxide per 1 m³ water.

For example, the most common peroxide - 37% - is poured for a swimming pool at the rate of 700 ml per cubic meter of water. In total, we get a consumption of 5.6 liters of perhydrol for an 8 cubic meter pool.

For more accurate calculations, use a table that takes into account the degree of water pollution:

Hydrogen peroxide concentration	For fresh water	For moderately polluted water	For old, stagnant water with signs of blooming	Preventive topping up. Carried out every 7–14 days
37% (30–40%)	500–700 ml per 1 m 3	800–1100 ml per 1 m 3	1200–1400 ml per 1 m 3	200–300 ml per 1 m 3
0.6	400–500 ml per 1 m 3	600 ml per 1 m 3	700-800 ml per 1m3	100–150 ml per 1 m 3
Waiting time	1 day	2 days	3 days	12 hours

It is prohibited to use hydrogen peroxide in concentrations above 60% in domestic conditions. Such solutions are explosive.

Precautionary measures

Concentrated peroxide solution is assigned hazard class 2. This is far from a harmless substance.

Accidental ingestion of a 30% hydrogen peroxide solution can be fatal. The lethal dosage is 50–100 ml (half a glass). In addition, concentrated solutions cause burns to the skin and mucous membranes.

Taking safety measures when using perhydrol is a must:

When working with the substance, you must protect your eyes with goggles or a mask, and your hands with gloves.
The liquid should be poured carefully to avoid splashing.
Do not swim in the treated water for the next 24–72 hours.
After use, the container should be rinsed several times with running water.
It is unacceptable to store the drug in a place accessible to children or among food products. The canister must be securely hidden, closed and labeled.

If hydrogen peroxide gets on your skin, rinse it with plenty of water as quickly as possible. If blisters, redness, burning or itching appear, you should consult a doctor.

Instructions for use

Cleaning with peroxide is easy to do at home. In addition to protective equipment, you will need:

beaker;
plastic bucket or watering can for 5–10 l;
a long stirring stick or brush (if there is no circulation pump);
equipment for collecting garbage and cleaning plaque.

Instructions for use:

Wear rubber gloves, goggles or a protective mask.
Using a measuring cup, pour the required amount of hydrogen peroxide into a bucket (watering can). To make an accurate calculation, use the recommended rate or see the table.
If you have a circulation pump, lower one end of the hose into a bucket of perhydrol and the other into the pool. Make sure that the distance from the water intake nozzle is at least 15 cm.
If there is no pump, use a watering can. Try not to get peroxide on the walls of the pool. Pour the drug while walking around the pool in a circle. Stir the water with a long stick to ensure even distribution.
To help the hydrogen peroxide mix with the water faster, turn on the filter.
Wait 24 hours. During this time, the pool must remain open to allow active oxygen to escape. Don't cover it with a tent!
Scrub the bottom and sides of the pool with a brush. Collect large debris with a net and filter the water to remove suspended matter.

Attention! It is recommended to clean the pool with hydrogen peroxide in cool weather. At water temperatures above 27 degrees, the effectiveness of the solution decreases noticeably.

The amazing effect of peroxide and pitfalls

The method of purifying water in home pools using hydrogen peroxide is very popular. Most often he is praised for:

cheapness. A canister with 10 liters of technical peroxide costs about 850 rubles. With a small pool volume, it is enough for the entire swimming season;
ease of use. The method does not require the use of tablets to normalize pH, other drugs, or special equipment;
amazing view of the water. After cleaning with peroxide, the water becomes incredibly clear and azure. At the same time, she remains like this for quite a long time;
no chemical smell. Perhydrol does not smell either during water treatment or after. The exception is technical preparations of class “B” - they emit a slight smell of vinegar.

But with all the positive qualities, there is also a flip side to the coin:

The colorless, odorless liquid can easily be confused with ordinary water and can also be overdosed on.
The second disadvantage is the illusion of pure water. Perhydrol discolors all dirt, making it invisible. However, the drug does not cope well with the destruction of pathogenic microorganisms. Studies have shown that it has only a minor effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli. Staphylococcus aureus, Legionella pneumophila, Candida albicans.

Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizing agent, but a weak disinfectant. That is why the current GOST R 53491.1-2009 “Pools. Water preparation" technical hydrogen peroxide is not mentioned. From a microbiological point of view, it is ineffective and cannot be used for public swimming pools.

Questions and answers

Can hydrogen peroxide be used to clean a swimming pool?

According to established sanitary and epidemiological standards - no. Perhydrol does not destroy fungi and bacteria.But if only members of one family swim in the pool, and the water is periodically disinfected in another way, this cleaning method is acceptable.

How safe is hydrogen peroxide for pool water purification?

If safety precautions and dosage are observed, perhydrol does not cause harm to health. After 24-72 hours it completely disintegrates and the water becomes safe for swimming. Rarely have there been complaints of allergic reactions or red eyes after diving with frequent use of this cleaning method. If, when entering the water, the wounds begin to sting, and the water resembles mineral water, this indicates that it is too early to swim in it.

How long does the water remain clear after using hydrogen peroxide?

Provided you use an awning, a filter pump and follow hygiene rules (do not swim in swimming trunks that have been in the pond, enter the water clean, do not allow animals in, do not wash equipment), the water in the pool will remain clear for 1–1.5 months.

What is better and safer for cleaning a pool - chlorine tablets or perhydrol?

Hydrogen peroxide has only superficial advantages (ease of use, lack of a strong odor and long-lasting water clarity). Chlorine preparations are more effective. They not only help improve the color of the water, but also kill pathogenic microorganisms. In addition, they are safer and recommended for use at the legislative level.

Is it possible to combine chlorine preparations and peroxide?

The clear answer is no. These products cannot be used together. But you can alternate them. The minimum recommended interval between treatments is 5 days.

So, the method of purifying pool water with peroxide is an amateur one and is only suitable for home pools.After adding the substance to the water, air bubbles begin to float to the surface. In about a day it brightens and becomes transparent. For a flawless look, all that remains is to remove floating debris and suspended matter. To reduce the concentration of pathogenic microorganisms, it is recommended to alternate the use of peroxide with chlorination.