Shock n’ Chlor Plus is a common name for a type of pool shock, a powerful granular chlorine product used for super-chlorinating or “shocking” a pool. It is typically an unstabilized form of chlorine, meaning it does not contain cyanuric acid (CYA) to protect it from the sun’s UV rays. The active ingredient is usually calcium hypochlorite (cal-hypo).
The purpose of “shocking” a pool is to quickly raise the free chlorine level to a high concentration to eliminate bacteria, algae, and other organic contaminants. This process, known as breakpoint chlorination, is especially important for destroying “combined chlorine” (chloramines), which are responsible for the unpleasant “chlorine” smell and eye irritation.
Shock n’ Chlor Plus is ideal for weekly maintenance, after heavy pool use, or to clear up cloudy water and algae blooms. It is typically added to the pool in the evening because the lack of sunlight allows the chlorine to work more effectively before it is broken down. It is important to follow the product’s instructions for dosage and to allow enough time (typically several hours) for the chlorine level to return to a safe range before swimming.
