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Why Does My Pool Smell Like Chlorine or Burn My Eyes?

A strong chlorine smell does not mean there is too much chlorine in the pool. It means the chlorine has been used up. When chlorine combines with sweat, sunscreen, and other waste, it forms chloramines, which cause the smell, red eyes, and itchy skin. The fix is to shock the pool so it burns the chloramines off, and to bring pH to 7.2 to 7.6. A healthy pool has almost no smell.
Pentair variable-speed pool pump sold and installed by Top Dog Pool Supply in Bakersfield

What causes the chlorine smell?

  • Chloramines. This is chlorine that has already combined with sweat, body oils, sunscreen, or urine. It smells strong and no longer sanitizes well.
  • Heavy use. A pool party or a long, hot weekend of swimming uses up chlorine fast.
  • Low free chlorine. When there is not enough fresh chlorine, chloramines build up.
  • pH out of range. pH below 7.2 or above 7.8 irritates eyes and skin even when chlorine is fine.

How do I get rid of the smell?

  • Step 1: Test free chlorine and total chlorine. The difference between them is combined chlorine. Anything over 0.5 ppm means it is time to shock.
  • Step 2: Test pH and bring it to 7.2 to 7.6.
  • Step 3: Shock in the evening with the pump running. Liquid chlorine works well and adds no calcium or stabilizer.
  • Step 4: Run the pump overnight.
  • Step 5: Retest in the morning. Combined chlorine should be back near zero.
  • Step 6: Wait to swim until free chlorine is back under 5 ppm.

How do I keep it from coming back?

Keep free chlorine in range every day, not just on weekends. In Bakersfield's long swim season, pools get heavy use for months, so shock every week or two in summer and after every party. A quick rinse before swimming cuts down on the sweat and sunscreen that use up chlorine. An enzyme such as Orenda CV-600 helps break down oils and lotions.

When should I bring in a water sample?

Bring a sample if the smell comes back within a few days of shocking, if eyes still burn with chlorine and pH in range, or if your chlorine will not hold. We'll check free and total chlorine and stabilizer and tell you what the pool needs.

Does a strong chlorine smell mean too much chlorine?

No. It almost always means too little fresh chlorine. The smell comes from chloramines, which form when chlorine is used up.

Why do my eyes burn in the pool?

Chloramines or pH out of range. Eyes are most comfortable when pH is 7.2 to 7.6 and combined chlorine is near zero.

How often should I shock my pool in summer?

Every one to two weeks, and after heavy use, storms, or algae.

Is it safe to swim when the pool smells strongly of chlorine?

It is better to wait. The smell means the water is not sanitizing well. Shock it, let chlorine drop back under 5 ppm, then swim.

Don't cry, we can help

Bring a water sample to Top Dog Pool Supply. Local pool owners get a free water test on our Taylor Xpress Flex system, and we'll tell you what to add, and how much, for your pool's size. Visit us at 7440 District Blvd Suite B, Bakersfield, CA 93313, or call (661) 664-9000. We're open Monday to Friday 9 to 5, Saturday 9 to 4, and Sundays 10 to 4 from April through September.

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7440 District Blvd Suite B Bakersfield, CA 93313
Phone: (661) 664-9000
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Bakersfield, CA, with Zip Codes 93301, 93304, 93305, 93306, 93309, 93311, 93312, 93313, and 93314 HOURS Mon–Fri: 9am–5pm Sat: 9am–4pm Sun: 10am–4pm (April–September)
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