Household bleach works in a pinch — but read the label.

Yes, but only if it’s plain, unscented, no splash-less additives, and the concentration is right.

Most household bleach is 6% sodium hypochlorite. Pool chlorine is usually 10–12% or calcium hypochlorite powder. That means you’ll need roughly twice as much liquid bleach to get the same sanitizing effect. Not a huge deal if you’re just shocking a small pool, but it adds up.

The real risk is additives. “Splash-less” or “with Cloromax” or scented varieties contain surfactants or fragrances that will foam up and possibly mess with your pool chemistry. Stick to the cheapest, plainest bleach you can find.

Also: store it away from heat and light — bleach degrades fast. And never mix with any other pool chemicals, especially acid or algaecide. Chlorine gas is not a fun surprise.

If you’re doing this regularly, just buy pool shock. It’s cheaper per unit of chlorine and you won’t have to guess the dosage.