Why Pools Smell the Way They Do
We’ve all done it: you walk into a pool, get hit with that classic eye-watering smell and think, “Wow, they’ve really loaded up the chlorine today.”
But here’s the twist:
That strong “pool smell”? It’s not chlorine.
It’s something much weirder. And much grosser.
It’s you.
Let’s Talk Chloramines
When chlorine is added to pool water, it’s there to do a job: to kill bacteria and keep things hygienic. But chlorine doesn’t have a smell. At least not that “whoa, I just sniffed bleach with my soul” kind of smell.
That stank? That’s chloramines.
Chloramines form when chlorine reacts with organic matter.
What counts as "organic matter," you ask?
Oh, just things like:
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Sweat
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Sunscreen
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Body oils
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Pee (yep)
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And whatever else you brought into the pool after a questionable breakfast burrito
Basically, when chlorine meets your bodily fluids, it creates a chemical combo that smells like chlorine… but is actually just a stinky side effect of people soup.
So You’re Telling Me I Smell?
Not just you! All of us.
Unless you’ve mastered the pre-swim shower (the one you're meant to take but totally don’t), you’re contributing to the great Eau de Pool Smell.
And the more chloramines build up, the stronger the smell. That’s why busy indoor pools with poor ventilation often feel like a chemical slap to the face.
How to Not Be the Problem
We can’t change the past. But we can change our shower habits. Here’s how to be less of a chloramine villain:
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Shower before you swim. (A real one. With soap. Not just a splash and dash.)
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Use TRISWIM after you swim.
It’s designed to break down chlorine and chloramines on your skin and hair, so you don’t carry the stink home in your towel. -
Rinse your gear.
Your togs, cap, and goggles can hold onto those smelly chemicals too. Don’t let them.
To Sum It Up.
Chlorine’s just trying to do its job.
The smell you hate is actually chlorine + people goo = chloramines.
So next time someone walks into a pool and says, “Whoa, it smells like chlorine in here!” just smile and say:
“Nope… it smells like YOU.”