Addition of too much chlorine in a hot tub is not an uncommon occurrence, and happens to the best of us. Over time, several hacks have been proposed, one of which is using a readily available chemical called hydrogen peroxide.
So the big question is, does hydrogen peroxide actually lower the level of chlorine in water? The straightforward answer is yes, it does. Here is all you need to know about this easy solution to your hefty chlorine problem.
How Does Hydrogen Peroxide Lower Chlorine in a Hot Tub?
Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful chemical oxidizer. When it comes in contact with chlorine, it undergoes a series of chemical reactions in which both chlorine and hydrogen peroxide are broken down.
As a result, oxygen and water are produced. Since both of these are neutral and harmless substances, hydrogen peroxide is considered to be a remarkably safe option for lowering the chlorine levels in a hot tub or pool.
It is important to note, however, that hydrogen peroxide is only effective at alkaline pH. This means that if the pH of the water is less than 7.0, hydrogen peroxide will not react and thus, the chlorine levels will not be lowered.
Pro Tip:
This problem can be tackled easily by using baking soda or other alkaline substances before adding hydrogen peroxide.
How Much Hydrogen Peroxide Is Required To Lower Chlorine in a Hot Tub?
The precise amount of hydrogen peroxide needed to lower the chlorine level in your hot tub depends on various factors, including the concentration of hydrogen peroxide, amount of water in the tub, and the ppm of chlorine that you desire to lower. Ideally, you should use 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide.
If you are using 35% hydrogen peroxide, the amount required to lower chlorine level by 1 ppm in a 100 gallons of water is approximately 0.015 fluid ounces. Alternatively, if you are using 3% hydrogen peroxide that is meant for first aid use, you will need to add 0.25 fluid ounces or 1.5 teaspoons to achieve the same result.
How Much Time Does Hydrogen Peroxide Take to Lower the Chlorine in a Hot Tub?
Hydrogen Peroxide has a half-life of approximately 5 to 10 hours in water, which means that it reacts rather slowly. However, it begins to lower the chlorine levels of the water as soon as it is added.
Also, the exact time period required to achieve the desired level of chlorine depends on how much excess chlorine is present. In most cases, it takes about 24 hours to do the job. You can use chlorine test kits to measure the chlorine levels at regular intervals to determine when the water is safe for swimming.
Precautions For Using Hydrogen Peroxide to Lower Chlorine in a Hot Tub
If you decide to use hydrogen peroxide to get rid of the excess chlorine in your pool, it is important to take note of a few important considerations.
- Hydrogen peroxide tends to lower the pH of water. Therefore, it is necessary to test the pH of the hot tub water after treating it with hydrogen peroxide to ensure that it has not fallen critically low.
- Hydrogen peroxide can damage the rubber lining and equipment of the hot tub if it is added in too much quantity. So it is imperative that the amount of chemical added is measured carefully and addition of excess hydrogen peroxide is strictly avoided.
- Hydrogen peroxide can be hazardous if it comes in contact with skin or eyes, and can cause burning. It is highly recommended to use safety goggles and gloves when handling it.
- The composition of this chemical compound makes it highly unstable. It breaks down rapidly when exposed to UV light or oxygen, decreasing its shelf-life. Thus, it is important to store the hydrogen peroxide in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
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