Iron Stain Removal for Pool Surfaces
Lo-Chlor Iron Stain Remover is a high-strength stain treatment formulated specifically to remove brown iron stains from swimming pool surfaces.
This specialised formula contains a special acid blend developed for iron staining, while also being suitable for the treatment of manganese or cobalt staining in pools. It is also ideal for the treatment of osmosis in fibreglass pools.
Easy and economical to use, Iron Stain Remover is suitable for all pool surfaces and can be applied to widespread staining or used as a spot-treatment approach for more localised affected areas.
Features & Benefits
- Formulated to remove brown iron stains – targets iron staining on swimming pool surfaces.
- Also targets manganese and cobalt staining – suitable for a broader range of metal staining conditions in pools.
- Ideal for all pool surfaces – may be used across all types of pool finishes.
- Also suitable for spot staining treatment – can be used for localised affected areas or broader surface treatment.
- Easy and economical to use – provides a simple treatment approach for visible metal staining.
- Also ideal for fibreglass pools – suitable for the treatment of osmosis in fibreglass pool surfaces.
How It Works
Lo-Chlor Iron Stain Remover contains a special acid blend developed to remove brown iron stains from swimming pool surfaces.
It works by targeting metal staining on the affected surface, making it suitable for the treatment of iron staining as well as manganese or cobalt staining in pools.
This focused treatment approach also makes it suitable for spot staining treatment and for use on widespread staining across the pool surface.
How to Use
- Allow the free chlorine level to fall below 0.5 ppm by switching off the salt chlorinator or using Chlorine Remover.
- Adjust pH to 7.2 to 7.6.
- With the pump and filter running, add the product over the stained area or distribute it evenly around the pool.
- Run the pump and filter for a minimum of 24 hours, then resume normal filtration.
- Rebalance the pool water following treatment.
For less severe spot staining, add a small amount of the product to a sock or stocking, attach it to the end of a telepole, and dangle it close to but not directly touching the stain. If no sign of improvement is shown after a few minutes, revert to the main treatment procedure.
Dosage & Coverage
- Pack size: 1 kg.
- Use rate: One 1 kg pack per 50,000 litres of pool water.
Important Usage & Compatibility Information
- For best results, chlorine should be zero or below 0.5 ppm before treatment, with pH no higher than 7.6.
- Prior to use, ensure cyanuric acid is below 90 ppm and TDS is less than 1200 ppm.
- For best results, add the product as close as possible to the stained area.
- On quartzon, coloured pebble, coloured marble, exposed aggregate finishes, and printed vinyl liners, do not allow direct contact with the pool surface. In these cases, mix in a bucket of water and disperse evenly around the pool.
- Do not allow contact with coloured marble pool finishes. For these surfaces, place the product in a sock or stocking attached to a pool broom and hold it very close to the affected area without touching it.
- Do not chlorinate for at least 24 hours after use.
- Never add via the skimmer basket or filter.
- Immediately after treatment, add Lo-Chlor Metal Solution to help prevent re-staining. This product should then be added again at regular intervals. Dose per label.
Why Choose Lo-Chlor Stain Busters?
Lo-Chlor Stain Busters is a specialised range created to tackle different types of pool stains and scale, because no single treatment suits every pool condition.
The range includes targeted products for stain removal, scale treatment, and ongoing prevention, helping pool owners and pool professionals take a more accurate approach to problem solving.
Manufactured in Australia and trusted by pool professionals, Lo-Chlor formulations are made for real-world pool conditions and long-term pool care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I work out what type of stain I have?
Pool stains are not always easy to identify. The same stain can look different depending on the pool surface, lighting, and water conditions.
The best starting point is to test the stain before choosing a treatment. If you are unsure, begin with a small spot test and treat a small area first.
What’s a simple spot test to compare metal vs organic stains?
A simple spot test can help indicate what type of stain you may be dealing with. Always test a small, inconspicuous area first:
- Vitamin C test: Place a vitamin C tablet (ascorbic acid) in a thin sock and hold it on the stain for 1–2 minutes. If the stain lightens, it may be metal-related.
- Chlorine test: Place a small amount of granular chlorine or a tablet in a sock and briefly hold it on the stain. If it lightens, it may be an organic stain, such as algae or leaf staining. Do not leave it in contact for long, especially on vinyl surfaces.
If neither test changes the stain, it may be calcium scale, oxidation, or another surface-related issue that needs a different treatment approach.
Is it a stain, scale, or surface oxidation?
- Scale is a mineral deposit, usually calcium-based, that often looks chalky or milky and feels rough, like sandpaper.
- Oxidation can give fibreglass or painted surfaces a dull, milky, or chalky appearance, often linked to water balance and sanitiser management over time.
- Stains are colour changes on the surface and may appear as small patches or affect larger areas.
Correct identification matters because different problems respond to different treatments.
Where do metals in pool water usually come from?
Metals can enter pool water in a number of common ways, including:
- Salt additions, which can contain trace metals such as iron.
- Top-up water, especially bore water or mineral-rich water.
- Long-term use of some liquid chlorines, where trace metals can build up over time.
- Metal-based algaecides, often copper-based.
- Metal fixtures, especially in some above-ground pools.
- Runoff and garden dirt entering the pool after rain or hosing nearby areas.
What causes iron staining in pools?
Most iron staining forms due to incorrectly balanced water. Iron and other metals can also enter the pool through top-up water, salt additions, or other external sources and later deposit onto the pool surface.
Why do stains or scale sometimes come back after treatment?
Removing the visible deposit from the pool surface is only part of the process. If the underlying cause is still present, the problem may return later.
For longer-term results, it is important to manage both the visible issue and the cause, such as poor water balance, metal in fill water, salt additions, runoff, or metal-based pool products.
What should I do before and after stain or scale treatment for best results?
- Test first: Identify the problem and treat a small area first if needed.
- Follow the product directions carefully: For Lo-Chlor Iron Stain Remover, free chlorine should be below 0.5 ppm and pH between 7.2 and 7.6.
- Keep water circulating: Run the pump and filtration system as directed to help distribute treatment evenly.
- Rebalance afterwards: After treatment, rebalance the pool water as recommended.
- Focus on prevention: Follow with ongoing metal control if the source of staining remains.
