That is indeed a good question that many customers ask when considering how to treat both their water and their skin.
Chlorine is a tried and tested sanitiser that excels at killing bad bacteria that can linger in your pipes and on surfaces. However, some people have skin sensitivities that do not react well to even small doses of chlorine.
So, what are the alternatives?
Bromine
Like Chlorine, Bromine is available in both tablet and granular form. Whereas Chlorine reacts via oxidation, leaving a safe waste product behind which can cause some people to itch, Bromine reacts via ionization, which continues even after the water has been sanitized.
You need to add more Bromine to the water each time, but you will need to add it less often than you do with Chlorine. Bromine can also linger on your skin for longer than Chlorine, but it is a more stable chemical in hot water!
O Care
Although some disinfectant chemical will still be needed if you choose to use O Care, it will be in much smaller quantities. Used weekly, O Care removes and prevents sediment build up in your hot tub or swim spa pipes, which helps reduce wear on the components; it leaves your skin feeling soft; and it enables easier water balancing.
- Clean your filter regularly - a dirty filter can reduce the effectiveness of your chemicals, requiring you to add more than you would with a clean one. It is recommended to clean filters weekly and replace them every year.
- Keep your tub covered to avoid any debris entering while it is unattended.
- Ensure you enter the water without body oils & personal products - ask everyone to shower with soap & water before using the hot tub or swim spa.
- Remember to keep your pH, alkalinity and water hardness levels balanced - they all affect how your sanitizer works.