Clorox Pool & Spa Alkalinity Increaser for Comfortable Family Swimming, 16LB Skin and Eye-Friendly pH Balance
Clorox Pool & Spa Alkalinity Increaser for Comfortable Family Swimming, 16LB Skin and Eye-Friendly pH Balance
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Why you'll love it
- Trusted Clorox brand reputation extends from household cleaning into pool care
- Granulated formula dissolves quickly and is easy to broadcast without clumping
- One 16LB bag handles multiple treatments, reducing trips to the store
- Prevents costly corrosion damage to heaters, pumps, ladders, and salt cell components
- Works across all major pool types so households do not need a separate product
- Companion app removes guesswork for owners who do not want to hire a pool service
Perfect for
- Raise total alkalinity in residential pool water to stabilize pH
- Balance pH after fresh fill, refill, or heavy rain to bring pool back to safe levels
- Prevent skin and eye irritation for family swimmers during regular use
- Protect pool heaters, pumps, and metal fixtures from acid-water corrosion
- Use the Clorox Pool App to test water and receive personalized dosage recommendations
For Beautiful, Comfortable Water
Balanced pool water prevents skin and eye irritation, and extends the life of equipment by protecting surfaces from corrosion, scale and stains. Balancers help to restore water parameters to their ideal ranges.
Preserves Pool & Equipment
Protects pool equipment and surfaces from the effects of unbalanced water.
Protects Against Eye and Skin Irritation
Improves swimmer comfort by preventing dry itchy skin and red burning eyes.
Test Weekly
Your pool chemistry can change quickly. Test your pool water weekly to ensure your chlorine and pH remain within optimal swimming levels.
Brush & Clean
Brush, vacuum and skim water surface weekly to remove dirt and debris.
Balance Water
Ensure your water parameters are balanced to their ideal ranges for optimal swimmer comfort and surface and equipment protection.
Product Information
For Raising Total Alkalinity: The Alkalinity Increaser helps maintain balanced pH levels in your pool water. Proper alkalinity levels reduce the need for frequent maintenance, and our product's granulated formula is easy to apply and dissolves quickly.
Improves Swimmer Comfort: This product plays a crucial role in enhancing swimmer comfort by preventing eye and skin irritation caused by unbalanced pH. It helps prevent dry, itchy skin and red, burning eyes, ensuring a more pleasant swimming experience.
Protects Pool Equipment from Corrosion: By keeping your pool's pH level balanced, this product helps prevent equipment corrosion, allowing you to spend less time maintaining and more time enjoying your swimming pool.
Perfect for All Pools: Clorox Pool&Spa Swimming Pool Chlorine Stabilizer is perfect for new pools, freshly refilled pools, saltwater pools, and pools that use liquid chlorine.
Clorox Pool App: Test like an expert anytime, anywhere with the Clorox Pool App. Solve common swimming pool problems and get personalized product and dosage recommendations.
Clorox Pool & Spa Swimming Pool Alkalinity Increaser, Keeps pH Balanced, 16LB (Pack of 1);12016CLX.Number of Items: 1
Item Type Name: Pool Total Alkalinity Increaser
Included Components: CLOROX Pool&Spa 12016CLX Pool Total Alkalinity Increaser
Item Form: Granular
Product Benefits: Prevents Corrosion, Protects Against Skin Irritation
Item Weight: 16 pounds
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this help stop my kids' red eyes after swimming?
Yes, in most cases. Red, itchy eyes are usually caused by pH being too low or too high. When total alkalinity is in the proper range, pH stays locked in and the water feels much more comfortable on eyes and skin.
Does balanced alkalinity actually make pool water feel better on the skin?
Yes. Water with stable pH and alkalinity is closer to the body's natural pH, which means less dryness, less itching, and less of that strong chlorine smell that many people associate with skin irritation.
How does this help with my nightly wind-down swim routine?
Stable water chemistry means no surprises the next morning. When alkalinity is dialed in, pH does not drift overnight, so the pool is comfortable and ready whenever you want to step in for a relaxed soak or lap swim.
Is this a good product for households with sensitive skin?
Yes. Sensitive skin reacts most strongly to pH swings, and total alkalinity is what prevents those swings. Keeping alkalinity between 80 and 120 ppm creates a much gentler environment for adults and children with eczema or sensitivity.
Will it help with that strong chlorine smell that bothers my family?
Yes. That sharp chemical smell is usually chloramines, which form more aggressively when pH is unstable. Buffering alkalinity keeps pH steady and significantly reduces chloramine buildup, so the water smells cleaner.
Is this a good choice if I want a more mindful, low-stress pool routine?
Yes, especially when paired with the Clorox Pool App. The app walks you through testing and dosage, so the routine becomes a quick, predictable check-in rather than guesswork, freeing you to enjoy the pool instead of worrying about it.
How soon will the water feel more comfortable after I add it?
Most swimmers notice a difference within the same swim session once alkalinity is in range and pH is stable. Because the granules dissolve quickly, you can test, dose, and swim the same day in most cases.
Does this replace the need for a pool service to keep water comfortable?
For routine alkalinity and pH management, no. Most homeowners can test with the Clorox Pool App, follow the dosage recommendations, and keep their water comfortable without paying for weekly service.
How does this compare to pH increaser products for skin comfort?
pH increasers raise pH directly but do little for total alkalinity. Sodium bicarbonate-based alkalinity increasers raise alkalinity first, which then naturally stabilizes pH. For long-term comfort and fewer swings, alkalinity is the right place to start.
Is sodium bicarbonate gentler than muriatic acid alternatives?
Yes. Muriatic acid lowers pH and alkalinity aggressively and produces fumes that can irritate lungs and skin. Sodium bicarbonate is a mild, food-grade buffer that adjusts chemistry without harsh fumes or burns, which is why it is preferred for family pools.
Will this help with dry, itchy skin after pool time?
Yes, when alkalinity and pH are properly balanced. Unstable pH strips the skin's natural oils, while balanced water leaves skin feeling much closer to a regular bath. Combined with a quick rinse after swimming, most families see a big improvement.
Is this safe for households that practice daily cold plunges or long soaks?
Yes, in fact frequent swimmers benefit the most from stable alkalinity. The longer and more often you use the pool, the more important it is to keep chemistry steady so the water does not irritate skin, eyes, or hair over time.
Can I use this as part of a self-care routine for my backyard pool?
Absolutely. Many owners treat their pool like an extension of their wellness space, and balanced water is the foundation. Add alkalinity increaser as part of a weekly testing ritual, and the pool becomes a low-stress part of your routine.
Will my hair feel less dry with balanced alkalinity?
Yes. Hair reacts strongly to acidic or high-pH water. Stable alkalinity keeps pH closer to neutral, which means less brittleness, less green tint in blonde or light-colored hair, and a much softer feel after rinsing.
How does this compare to natural mineral pool systems for comfort?
Mineral systems can help with feel, but they still require balanced alkalinity and pH. Sodium bicarbonate remains the simplest, most reliable way to keep the underlying chemistry comfortable, regardless of which sanitizer or mineral system you use.
Is it worth using even if my water already feels okay?
Yes. Water can feel fine while alkalinity is borderline, then crash quickly after a rain event or heavy bather load. Maintaining alkalinity proactively prevents the crash and keeps the comfort level consistent all season.
How do I add Clorox Pool & Spa Alkalinity Increaser to my pool?
Test your water first to confirm alkalinity is below 80 ppm. Calculate your pool volume, then broadcast the recommended amount of granules evenly across the deepest end of the pool with the pump running. Allow the pump to circulate for at least 15 to 30 minutes, retest, and repeat if needed until alkalinity is in the 80 to 120 ppm range.
How much alkalinity increaser should I add per gallon of water?
A common guideline is roughly 1.5 pounds of sodium bicarbonate per 10,000 gallons to raise total alkalinity by about 10 ppm. Pool size, current alkalinity, and target level all matter, so use the Clorox Pool App for a personalized dosage based on your actual test results.
Can I add alkalinity increaser and chlorine at the same time?
It is best to add alkalinity increaser first and let it circulate and dissolve fully, then retest and add chlorine separately. Spacing the doses by 15 to 30 minutes prevents the chemicals from interacting and gives each one a chance to mix evenly throughout the water.
Is this product compatible with saltwater pools?
Yes. Sodium bicarbonate is fully compatible with salt chlorine generator systems and is in fact recommended for saltwater pools because stable alkalinity protects the salt cell and helps the generator run efficiently over a long service life.
Does this work with vinyl, plaster, fiberglass, and above-ground pools?
Yes. The product works with every common residential pool surface and structure, including plaster, vinyl liner, fiberglass, painted, and above-ground pools. It does not affect surfaces and is safe for all standard pool finishes when used as directed.
What is included in the 16-pound bag and what do I need to buy separately?
The package contains one 16-pound bag of granular sodium bicarbonate alkalinity increaser. You will need to supply your own test strips or test kit, a measuring cup or scale for dosing, and access to the free Clorox Pool App for personalized recommendations and tracking.
Is sodium bicarbonate safe to handle and store at home?
Yes, sodium bicarbonate is a food-grade compound that is safe to handle with normal care. Avoid breathing dust while pouring, keep the bag sealed and dry, and store it upright in a cool, dry location away from other concentrated pool chemicals and out of reach of children and pets.
Will this product expire or lose effectiveness in storage?
Sodium bicarbonate has a very long shelf life when stored dry and sealed. As long as the bag is kept closed and away from moisture, the product will remain effective for multiple seasons without losing potency.
What is the difference between alkalinity increaser and pH increaser?
Alkalinity increaser (sodium bicarbonate) raises total alkalinity, which then stabilizes pH with minimal pH change on its own. pH increaser (soda ash) raises pH directly with little effect on alkalinity. For stable, long-term water balance, raising alkalinity first is usually the correct order of operations.
