Can you use baking soda to treat swimming pools?

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, can be used to raise the alkalinity of a swimming pool. An article on DoItYourself.com recommends that owners keep their swimming pools at a pH between 7.4 and 7.8, while True Blue Swimming Pools suggests a pH between 7.2 and 7.6.

As it is somewhat alkaline, baking soda is a suitable chemical for raising the pH of a swimming pool. Since baking soda has large granules, it clouds up water if used in large amounts. If a swimming pool requires more than a small increase in pH, concentrated soda ash, also known as sodium carbonate, is a stronger alternative.