Why Does My Tap Water Smell Like Chlorine? [Here's Why]

When your tap water smells like chlorine, you might notice the following symptoms: a sour taste to your drinking water, the bathroom, and laundry area is stained yellow or green, rust spots on metal surfaces, and dry skin and hair. Here's what you should do:

Why does my tap water smell like chlorine?

If your tap water smells like chlorine, it's likely because your water supplier is using chlorination to disinfect your drinking water.

Chlorine is a strong oxidizer and has a very distinct smell, so it's not surprising that you can smell it in your tap water. While chlorination is a safe and effective way to disinfect water, some people find the smell of chlorine offensive.

If you're one of those people, there are a few things you can do to try to reduce the chlorine odor in your tap water.

Ways to reduce chlorine smell in tap water

There are a few simple ways to reduce the chlorine smell in your tap water. One way is to let your water sit for a while before using it.

This allows the chlorine to dissipate and makes the water smell less like chlorine. Another way that we suggest to reduce the smell of chlorine in your tap water is to use a water filter.

Water filters can help remove some of the chlorine from your water and make it smell better. 

Finally, you can also try to add citrus fruits or herbs to your water. This will help mask the smell of chlorine and make your water taste better.

What should I do if the tap water is too hard or too soft?

If your tap water is too hard or soft, you may be able to adjust the level of hardness or softness by using a water conditioner. You can also contact your local water supplier to see if they can help you change the hardness or softness of your tap water.

How can I remove iron from my tap water?

If your tap water smells like chlorine, it could also be due to iron in the water. While iron is not harmful to your health, it can give water an unpleasant taste and smell. There are a few ways to remove iron from your tap water.

One way is to install an iron filter. An iron filter will remove iron from your water as it comes into your home. This is a good option if you have iron in your healthy water.

Another option is to use a water softener. A water softener will not remove iron from your water, but it will bind to it and prevent it from causing problems. This is a good option if you have city water that contains some iron.

You can also use an oxidizing agent, such as chlorine bleach to remove iron from your tap water. To do this,

• Add one cup of bleach per hundred gallons of water
• Let the mixture sit for 24 hours before using the water.

This method may not be effective in all cases, but it is worth trying if you are struggling with smelly or foul-tasting tap water.

How can I remove the chlorine taste?

Most people don't like the taste of chlorine in their water, and it can be solid if your water comes from a well. There are a few ways to remove the chlorine taste from your water.

One way is to let your water sit before you drink it. The chlorine will dissipate over time, so if you're patient, you can wait for the chlorine taste to go away on its own. But this might not be a practical method.

Another way to remove the chlorine taste is to use a filtration system. This can be as simple as a pitcher with a filter attached, or you can install a whole-house filtration system. Filtering your water will remove the chlorine and make it taste better. Counter water filters like brazilian clay water filters work in this case.

If you don't want to wait or filter your water, you can also boil it. Boiling water for at least one minute will kill any bacteria present, and it will also evaporate the chlorine. Just let the water cool down before you drink it, as boiling water can scald you.

No matter which method you choose, getting rid of that chlorine taste is possible!

Conclusion

If your tap water smells like chlorine, it's most likely because your municipality has added it to the water supply to disinfect it.

While there's nothing dangerous about drinking chlorinated water, some people don't like the taste or smell. If you fall into that camp, there are a few ways you can remove the chlorine from your tap water before drinking it, including using a pitcher with a built-in filter or boiling the water and then letting it sit for a while.

Whichever method you choose, make sure you do a repeated test to ensure the chlorine has been completely removed before consuming the water.