That strong “chlorine smell” around your pool might seem normal — but it’s actually a red flag. A well-maintained pool should have little to no odour. If your pool smells like chlorine, especially after swimming or removing the cover, it’s usually a sign that something’s not quite right with your water balance.
In this guide, we’ll explain why your pool smells like chlorine and how to fix it quickly and safely.
The Truth About the “Chlorine Smell”
Here’s the surprising part: the intense chlorine smell isn’t from the chlorine itself — it’s from chloramines.
What are chloramines?
Chloramines form when chlorine in your pool reacts with:
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Sweat
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Urine
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Body oils
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Sunscreen
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Dirt and debris
Instead of actively sanitising your pool, chlorine gets “used up” binding to these contaminants, creating chloramines. These by-products:
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Cause strong odours
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Irritate eyes and skin
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Reduce chlorine’s sanitising power
A clean, balanced pool won’t have that chemical smell. If your pool does, it’s time to act.
Signs That Chloramines Are a Problem
Besides the strong smell, you might notice:
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Itchy skin or stinging eyes after swimming
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Cloudy or dull water
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Low free chlorine readings, even after adding chlorine
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A lingering odour on swimwear or hair
These symptoms mean your pool is out of chemical balance and the sanitiser is struggling to keep up.
Step 1: Test the Water Properly
Start by testing both free chlorine and combined chlorine levels. Most test strips show total chlorine only, so use a quality test kit that shows all three.
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Free chlorine (FC): chlorine available to sanitise
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Combined chlorine (CC): chloramines already formed
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Total chlorine (TC): the sum of both
If your combined chlorine is over 0.2 ppm, it’s time to fix the problem.
Step 2: Shock the Pool
To break down chloramines, you need to shock the pool — meaning, raise the chlorine level quickly to oxidise contaminants.
How to shock properly:
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Use a chlorine-based shock (liquid or granular)
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Add it after sunset to reduce UV breakdown
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Run the pump for 8–24 hours
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Keep the pool uncovered
You may need to double-dose if the smell is strong or combined chlorine is very high.
We stock high-quality chlorine shock and fast-dissolving sanitiser options in our pool products range for fast, reliable results.
Step 3: Improve Circulation
Poor water circulation contributes to chloramine build-up, especially in dead zones like:
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Behind steps
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Corners of the pool
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Under skimmer boxes
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Near stairs or swim-outs
To fix this:
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Brush pool walls and floor
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Run the pump for at least 8 hours per day
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Point return jets in a circular direction
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Clean skimmer and pump baskets
Better circulation helps chlorine reach all areas of the pool evenly.
Step 4: Balance Your pH
If your pH is too high or too low, chlorine becomes less effective. Aim for:
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pH level between 7.2 and 7.6
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Total alkalinity between 80–120 ppm
Rain, heavy swimming, and poor maintenance can throw pH levels out fast. Use a test kit and adjust with pH increaser or pH reducer as needed.
Step 5: Encourage Pre-Swim Hygiene
Prevent chloramines by stopping them before they start. The easiest way? Encourage everyone to shower before swimming.
Pre-swim showers reduce:
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Body oils
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Sweat
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Sunscreen residue
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Urine contamination
For backyard pools, post a friendly reminder or even keep a hose or outdoor shower near the entry.
Step 6: Clean and Replace Filters
Chloramines and contaminants often build up in dirty filters. Make sure to:
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Backwash sand or DE filters regularly
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Hose out cartridge filters weekly
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Replace old filter media if it’s past its life
If your filter isn’t doing its job, chlorine has to work harder — and that leads to stronger smells.
Check out our full range of filter maintenance tools and replacements in the pool products section online.
Step 7: Use a Non-Chlorine Oxidiser (Optional)
Non-chlorine oxidisers (like potassium monopersulfate) help reduce chloramines without increasing chlorine levels. These are great for:
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Weekly maintenance
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Heavy bather loads
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Quick fixes before guests arrive
They’re safe to swim in shortly after dosing and help keep the water fresh between shocks.
Step 8: Retest and Monitor
Once the smell fades, retest your water and monitor:
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Free chlorine levels
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pH and alkalinity
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Combined chlorine (ideally 0.0–0.2 ppm)
Make water testing a weekly habit. Small adjustments are easier (and cheaper) than major fixes after something goes wrong.
Conclusion
If your pool smells like chlorine, it’s not a sign of cleanliness — it’s a warning sign. That strong odour means your pool is struggling to sanitise properly. With a proper shock treatment, balanced water, and good filter maintenance, you can get your pool smelling fresh and safe again in no time.
Need supplies to help fix the issue fast? Browse our full range of pool products including chlorine shock, test kits, pH balancers and filter cleaners — everything you need to clear the air and clean the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
The smell comes from chloramines — not fresh chlorine. Chloramines form when chlorine reacts with contaminants like sweat, body oils, and urine. They give off a strong odour and signal that your pool needs attention.
Strong chlorine smells mean the water may be irritating to eyes, skin, and lungs. High chloramine levels can cause discomfort, especially for children or people with sensitivities. It’s best to shock the pool and rebalance water before swimming.
Shock the pool to break down chloramines, brush surfaces, improve circulation, clean filters, and balance the pH. These steps remove the odour and restore safe swimming conditions.
For residential pools, shock once every 1–2 weeks, or after heavy rain, high swimmer loads, or signs of chloramines (strong smell or cloudy water). Regular shocking prevents smell and keeps water safe.
Free chlorine is available to sanitise the water. Combined chlorine has already reacted with contaminants and forms chloramines. Total chlorine is the sum of both. High combined chlorine means the pool needs a shock.
Yes, non-chlorine oxidisers can help break down chloramines without raising chlorine levels. They’re ideal for weekly use or quick maintenance when you don’t want to wait for chlorine to drop.
Yes. Dirty filters trap contaminants and reduce circulation. Backwash sand or DE filters, clean cartridge filters, and replace media if needed. Clean filters help chlorine work better and prevent chloramine buildup.
You may not have used enough shock, or your pH is out of balance. Double check chlorine levels, increase filtration time, and retest after 24 hours. Persistent smells often mean combined chlorine is still too high.
Maintain proper chlorine levels, test weekly, encourage swimmers to rinse before entering, clean filters regularly, and shock as needed. Preventing chloramines is easier than fixing them later.
You’ll find everything you need — from chlorine shock to test kits and filter supplies — in our collection of [pool products](https://www.pumpandpoolpeople.com.au/). Order online for fast delivery or visit us in-store.