How to Determine If a Pool Has Too Much Chlorine for Safe Swimming

Swimming pools are a breeding ground for microorganisms and bacteria. Even if your family members are the only people who use your pool, debris carrying bacteria and microorganisms can find its way to your swimming pool via the lightest of wind gusts. Adding chlorine to your pool will help to kill many unwanted and potentially dangerous elements. However, having too much chlorine in your pool can burn a swimmer's skin as well as cause an array of other issues. Measuring your pool's chlorine content is essential.

Things You'll Need

• Chlorine testing kit

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Instructions

• 1

  Remove the lid of your plastic tester and dip it directly into the pool water. You want to go at least 12 inches into the water to get an accurate reading. Pull the plastic tester out, keeping the water in it.

• 2

  Add the drops of your chlorine testing agent into the appropriate compartment of your tester. Once again, follow package directions. Most test kits will have you add 3 to 5 drops in the receptacle marked "chlorine." This will change the color of the water.

• 3

  Place the lid back onto the plastic testing kit and give it a shake. There will be a series of numbers in the colored area of your testing kit. These numbers represent the amount of chlorine one can expect to find in their pool.

• 4

  Compare the color in the testing kit to the color-coded section (with the level numbers printed on it) on the testing kit. Where they match is the amount of chlorine in the pool. Some kits will come labeled as "ideal" or "add more chlorine."