Liquid bleach vs pool shock: Bleach works for maintenance, but pool shock is better for full treatment

Household bleach (6% sodium hypochlorite) can raise chlorine levels, but pool shock (10–12% with stabilizer) is stronger and protects chlorine from the sun. Bleach requires more product and risks additives like scents that mess with water chemistry. For a full shock treatment against algae or combined chlorine, pool shock is the better choice.