Bleach and pool shock can be mixed, but it’s not recommended. Besides the fact that bleach and pool shock can affect each other’s color variables, there is a multitude of reasons to avoid mixing these two products.
They stain! Some stains won’t come out with detergents or rubbing in circles while trying not to rub too hard (this is very important).
Also, even when you have an epic time removing all kinds of stuff from your carpeted area – it will always leave some residual.
And if bleaching/cleaning up after you do your pool – that residue will transfer to the carpet (or any other fabric for that matter).
Table of Contents
What is bleach?
Bleach is a general name given to a family of chemical agents that kill microorganisms by attacking their cells’ energy supplies.
Bleach reacts with the Lysol molecules in fabric to make them lose their colors through hydrolysis, much like you would break down your lemon juice with water and use it as a household cleaner.
This is bad because all of the fun drugs used by naughty little fishies that live on your carpet are colorants, just like any residual stains – so adding more bleach tends to make things worse.
What is pool shock?
Pool shock is an industrial product initially intended for swimming pool applications. It can be used on almost any fabric. It has a lower FDS than bleach (an abbreviation of film-forming colorant).
As a result, it can leave minor damage on fabrics than bleach and won’t multiply the existing staining issues.
It doesn’t generate as much heat through its reaction with fabric fibers/dyes. This means you’re not going to burn your carpets by mistake.
So depending on your viewing distance and the amount of damage to be repaired – pool shock can benefit you by leaving less heat behind than bleach/bleach plus detergent.
Can You Mix Bleach And Pool Shock?
Pool shock is entirely different from bleach, nor does it react with the fabric as bleaches do.
So mixing them will create a chemical disaster (which you’d have to pay someone else to clean up). It will never leave your carpets as good or cleaner than when they were before.
Pool shock is intended for industrial swimming pool applications, while bleach can be used on almost any fabric to remove stains.
If you only have light staining and want to avoid adding more damage, then using pool shock may be a better option than bleaching with detergent alone.
Read: What Happens if You Mix Baquacil and Chlorine?
Why do you need to mix them correctly?
To get the best results from bleach and pool shock, mix both in separate containers (NOT JAR’s).
Then dilute it at 1:100 with a detergent of your choice.
Adjust precisely to generate minimal heat, about 10% peroxide content for bleaching or 4-10% hydrogen peroxide plus 8 drops fragrance/dye fixer depending on marking type and size.
Mix carefully, so you don’t make the bleaching solution cloudy, and then add it to your wash by hand. Use fabric softener/gentle detergents for better results.
Bleach alone will generate higher heat and won’t leave as clean an impact as pool shock because it reacts with the denatured proteins from human sweat, whatever they are that “hide” stains on fabrics.
High temperatures also break down the dance strips on your carpet’s fibers which creates small holes in garments or fabrics over time, resulting in loose fiber ends (especially for high pH bleaching), and that does not come out so well with pool shock.
How to mix your pool shock and bleach safely?
To mix bleach and pool shock safely, first make sure to separate the chemicals using a container with a lid.
Then fill the container halfway with water and add one ounce of bleach.
Add 1/2 cup of Pool Shock solution to this mixture and stir until thoroughly combined.
NOTE: Do not shake or jar the mix! To make your laundry look bright white again, mix 1 tablespoon of bleach and 1/4 cup of swimming pool shock.
The combination will usually turn out a light shade of blue to dark purple in the end, but that’s okay. It only takes about two minutes for the two liquids to combine after being mixed inside the plastic bag.
The correct ratio of bleach and pool shock!
Please read this safety information before using it to achieve the best results with bleach and pool shock as recommended on its package, diluting bleach by 10% (applying solutions will evolve in the result).
The blue color means it is compelling, so measure carefully! If you are cleaning fabrics, remember to dilute first. It works with bleach and pool shock on fabrics (cleaners should avoid using both chemicals at once).
Based on the grade, bleach can be mixed with 10-30% of pool shock correctly.
At best results, bleaching combined with a swimming pool is preferable to any other manual method for this purpose as it has a long life: bleached garments last longer compared to those who have not been exposed to them afterward over time.
What are the risks of mixing bleach and pool shock?
Mixing bleach and pool shock can be dangerous if not done correctly. It can cause skin irritation, eye irritation, respiratory problems, and even death.
Always read the packaging before using these chemicals to avoid any potential risks. To ensure the bleach does not go on open skin, wear protective gloves/goggles and goggles over your eyes.
Play safe! To avoid any accidental harm, don’t mix: pool shock directly with liquid bleach; use external sunscreen before applying so that you protect yourself from harmful UV rays.
The best solution for this effect is pure outdoor swimming pools, as they contain deficient chlorine levels (2-3 ppm). Note, however, that these chemicals are much more potent than their outdoor swimming pool counterparts and can cause burns quickly.
Final Thoughts
Bleach and pool shock are potent chemicals that should be used with caution.
Mixing them can be dangerous, so always read the packaging first and wear protective gear if necessary.
If you must use them together, dilute bleach first to avoid potential risks.
Their mixture is only recommended when no other alternative can be found!
