Q&A for How to Dechlorinate Water

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  • Question
    Since chlorine has a boiling point of -34 degrees, why does it require 20 minutes to remove it from water?
    Community Answer
    This is because it is in solution in the water. The boiling point of -34 degrees is for pure chlorine. Since it is in solution in water, the boiling point is irrelevant. The property you would need to look at in this situation is chlorine's vapor pressure, which tells you how fast it evaporates at a given temperature.
  • Question
    How do I make a carbon filter dechlorination system?
    Community Answer
    You can buy granulated activated carbon or a carbon block from a hardware store. You can also buy its casing from Ace Hardware.
  • Question
    If you boil water for 20 minutes, will that dechlorinate it?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but allow it to cool after. You may find it comparable to bottled water. It may still taste funny though.
  • Question
    Will water dechlorinate if left in a tank for a period of time?
    Community Answer
    Yes, the chlorine will evaporate, and the water agitation during the filling of the tank will help. Make sure there's good ventilation in the tank.
  • Question
    I have a Brita pitcher. Will this de-chlorinate the water?
    Community Answer
    No, a Brita pitcher will not de-chlorinate the water.
  • Question
    If I cook things, does it remove chlorine from the water?
    Community Answer
    Normal cooking brings the heat of liquid up to or over the boiling point. Therefore, the dechlorinate effect should be the same as, or at least close to, boiling water for 20 minutes, depending on how long you cooked.
  • Question
    What could be causing my drinking water to be cloudy?
    Community Answer
    It could potentially be due to minerals in the water, air bubbles trapped in the water, or a combination of the two. If this is a constant problem, a water filtration attachment for your faucet is a cheap solution. You will just have to change the filter out periodically.
  • Question
    Can I dechlorinate water in a pressure cooker?
    Community Answer
    Sure, as long as the lid is off. The only thing dechlorination requires is to be heated in some way or the other.
  • Question
    If I dechlorinate my drinking water by adding a vitamin C tablet to the water, will it harm me?
    Community Answer
    No, vitamin C doesn't have negative effects at this dosage as long as you are not using a tablet for each glass and drinking 10 glasses a day. One vitamin C tablet will be enough for a week's worth of water, so try to dechlorinate as much water as possible using only one pill.
  • Question
    Will double boiling chlorinated water accomplish this?
    Community Answer
    Yes. As long as you can maintain a good rolling boil for 20 minutes.
  • Question
    How do I dechlorinate pond water?
    Community Answer
    Place the water to be dechlorinated outside in a sunny location. The chlorine will escape the water in the form of a gas.
  • Question
    How long does water need to set for the chlorine gas to escape?
    Community Answer
    For filtered drinking water, let it sit in a 4 liter jug overnight -- the gas will be gone in the morning. Make sure the jug has no lid on it.
  • Question
    What will happen if chlorinated water is boiled in a closed container?
    Community Answer
    As the water heats up, it will expand. Eventually, pressure will get high enough that either the lid, or possibly the container itself. Depending on how high the pressure is when it fails, it could be a violent explosion.
  • Question
    Will boiling water in a pressure cooker rid the water of chlorine, or does it have to be an open pot?
    Community Answer
    The lid does have to be off, because the chlorine won't be able to evaporate into the air otherwise.
  • Question
    What can I use to dechlorinate my swim suit?
    Community Answer
    Leaving it out to dry in the sun for 24 hours will suffice.
  • Question
    Can I store my water in cold temperatures to dechlorinate it?
    Community Answer
    No, you cannot.
  • Question
    How do I dechlorinate bath water?
    Community Answer
    Follow the instructions listed in the article above.
  • Question
    If I remove the chlorine from water, will the water be safe from bacteria and other harmful substances?
    Community Answer
    If you're talking about pool water, no. Chlorine is added to pool water to keep bacteria from growing in it. If you're talking about drinking water or fish tank water, it will be fine. You don't need chlorine in drinking water, it just needs to be stored in a clean container and ideally filtered to remove traces of metals and other toxic chemicals (just dechlorinating will not do that). In a fish tank, the water has to be free of chlorine. Some bacteria may grow, but not a dangerous amount as long as you change the water regularly.
  • Question
    How do I know if my water company uses chlorine in drinking water?
    Community Answer
    Before water gets into your home, it has to be filtered and treated with chlorine to remove dirt, bacteria, and all other possible contaminants. Every water company uses chlorine.
  • Question
    Can I use ascorbic acid to dechlorinate my fish tank water?
    Community Answer
    Yes.It is suitable for fish water treatment. Just sprinkle one teaspoon per gallon of water. You can find it in a pet shop at an affordable price.
  • Question
    I am boiling water for 20 minutes. Does this take the chlorine out of water so I can add it to my fish tank?
    Community Answer
    No. There is still some chloramine (chlorine and ammonia), which is used in treating tap water nowadays. It will not evaporate from water as easily. Plus it is probably worse than chlorinated water alone.
  • Question
    How quickly does vitamin C dechlorinate water for drinking?
    Community Answer
    It would take about half the time to do a tank, so about 15 minutes.
  • Question
    Can I use dechorinated water with ascorbic acid to wash my hair?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. Incidentally, washing your hair with slightly acidic water is good for the hair, as it seals the cuticles.
  • Question
    Could tap water be cleaned out by adding drops of lemon juice into it?
    Community Answer
    Adding lemon or even cucumber slices to a pitcher of water will neutralize chlorine and chloramines. It does not take much ascorbic acid, about 10 milligrams per gallon. This article recommends a teaspoon (5 grams) of vitamin C per gallon, but 1 teaspoon actually enough to treat 500 gallons. 1 teaspoon per gallon is massive overkill, and would cause a large drop in pH, which would probably kill any fish in your aquarium or pond. So yes, a few drops of lemon juice will work for drinking water, and for an aquarium in a pinch, and will work quickly.
  • Question
    What is the fastest way to dechlorinate water without boiling it?
    Community Answer
    For a large amount, crushed vitamin C tablets or ascorbic acid at a rate of 10 mg per gallon is suitable for human consumption, brewing or aquaculture (without a marked pH drop). For a smaller amount, a few slices of cucumber or lemon, or a few drops of lemon juice. For aquaculture you can also buy dechlorinating drops from a pet store. Powdered ascorbic acid/vitamin C and dechlorinating drops will neutralize chlorine and chloramines within seconds when mixed well. If you are using the water for fish, you should always verify the pH before adding the dechlorinated water. Water must be boiled for 60 minutes to remove chloramines.
  • Question
    If I use dechlorinator and there is still some chlorine in the water, what can I do other than buying a new declorinator?
    Community Answer
    You can just leave the water uncovered or aerate it for a while. Most city water also contains chloramines, which are more difficult to remove. Add crushed vitamin C tablets or ascorbic acid at 10 mg (about the size of a match head) per gallon, or a few drops of lemon juice per gallon, or boil it for up to 60 minutes to remove both chlorine and chloramines. Check the pH before adding to an aquarium or pond.
  • Question
    What do I do if I put too much chlorine in my well water?
    Community Answer
    Do nothing but wait! All free and combined chlorine compounds in a well have a lifespan ranging from about a day to about a week, beyond which they all degrade to chloride ions that are safe, just like your table salt. It is probably best to not drink it until the chlorine taste has disappeared.
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