Professional pool technicians will tell you the same thing: use only salt labeled “pool salt” or “sodium chloride for pools.” They’ve seen the disasters—green water, dead pumps, and liners that look like abstract art. Trust the experts who deal with pool nightmares so you don’t have to.
One pool guy told me, “I’ve seen a bag of water softener salt create more drama than a reality TV reunion.” You don’t want your pool, of all things, to be dramatic. It’s supposed to be the chill zone.
A Quick Checklist for the Lazy
If you’re reading this while holding a bag of salt and squinting at the pool, here’s your cheat sheet: 1. Check the purity. 2. Avoid additives. 3. If in doubt, don’t do it. Your weekend is too short for pool repairs.
Also, keep a bag of actual pool salt in your garage. Future you will high-five you when the store is closed and the neighbors are already floating on their rafts.