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Why do swimming pools smell funny? |
Everything Water
Unlike the bath, where you fill it up with new water every time, swimming pools contain a lot of water that is used and re-used. Because people naturally contain lots of bacteria on their bodies, swimming pools can easily become a hang-out spot for lots of germs.
In order to keep pools clean, most people use a chemical called “chlorine,” which is able to kill off most of the germs that would otherwise be in the water. Chlorine is sort of like a type of salt, and when it’s put in the water, it breaks up into different chemicals which are each able to attack and get rid of different kinds of bacteria!
The downside to chlorine is that it sometimes has a funny smell. Most people think the smell means there’s too much chlorine in the water, but the truth is that chlorine usually only smells when there’s too little of it!! The smell comes from the chlorine forming into something called chloramines, which happens when the chlorine mixes with certain kinds of bacteria and germs in the water and the balance of chemicals isn’t right. Luckily, people who clean and take care of pools can test the water to see what they need to do to equal it out!
Keeping clean
Just like we add chlorine to swimming pools to help keep them clean, what are some other ways we help ourselves to stay clean?
Washing your hands with soap and water after going to the bathroom or playing outside is one great way. Another good way to keep clean is to wear fresh clothes every day. – Even just putting away your toys helps to stay neat!
What are some other Clean Clues you know about??
