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Why Use a DIY Vitamin C Swim Spray?

Chlorine might be the pool’s superhero. But for your skin, it’s the villain. It strips away natural oils, leaves your skin dry and cranky, irritates your eyes and nose, and messes with your skin microbiome.

But the real troublemakers? Chloramines—those sneaky chemical byproducts that form when chlorine meets sweat, pee, or other organic matter. They can get absorbed through your skin or inhaled, causing respiratory irritation, asthma-like symptoms, and possibly other long-term issues.

Enter vitamin C swim spray. Vitamin C swoops in to neutralize chlorine and chloramines on the skin by converting them into harmless dehydroascorbic acid and hydrochloric acid (source).

If you’re a clean-living, crunchy mama like me and are gonna spend half the summer poolside, this little DIY swim spray is a non-negotiable summer savior.

What Type of Vitamin C to Use for the DIY Swim Spray Recipe

There are two types of vitamin C powder: sodium ascorbate and ascorbic acid. But sodium ascorbate is more gentle because it’s less acidic than ascorbic acid.

This makes sodium ascorbate less likely to irritate even the most sensitive skin—perfect for babies, toddlers, and anyone whose skin is more sensitive than a toddler who skipped a nap.

A Note on Kids and Chlorine Exposure

Little bodies = big absorption. If your babes are soaking in the shallow end or doing cannonballs every day, using a vitamin C swim spray for kids is a must.

This easy DIY chlorine spray will help protect their sensitive skin and minimize chemical exposure. It’s one of those small things that makes a big difference!

Materials Needed to Make Vitamin C Swim Spray

You’ll need just a few simple ingredients and tools to whip up this chlorine-neutralizing goodness. No fancy equipment, just crunchy-mama-approved essentials!

• Vitamin C powder (sodium ascorbate or ascorbic acid)
• Filtered water (note: most tap water contains chlorine, which defeats the purpose!)
• Optional: organic essential oils like lavender or chamomile (for that spa-in-a-bottle vibe)
• Glass spray bottle (amber or cobalt to keep the vitamin C from breaking down too fast—just be careful with glass around the pool)
• Small stainless steel funnel
• Measuring spoon
• Measuring cup

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DIY Chlorine Neutralizing Swim Spray Recipe

Need a tiny bottle for your carry-on? A family-sized stash for the summer? Choose the batch size below that works for your life—I’ve got you covered from travel to full-on crunchy pool crew.

Ingredients for a 2-Ounce Bottle

(Small Batch—will work in your carry-on!)

• 1/4 teaspoon sodium ascorbate or ascorbic acid
  
• 1/4 cup filtered water
  
• Optional: a few drops of organic lavender or chamomile essential oil
  
• 2-ounce glass spray bottle
  

Ingredients for a 4-Ounce Bottle

(Medium Batch—also great for travel!)

• 1/2 teaspoon sodium ascorbate or ascorbic acid
  
• 1/2 cup filtered water
  
• Optional: a few drops of organic lavender or chamomile essential oil
  
• 4-ounce glass spray bottle
  

Ingredients for an 8-Ounce Bottle

(Large Batch—for everyday use)

• 1 teaspoon sodium ascorbate or ascorbic acid
  
• 1 cup filtered water
  
• Optional: a few drops of organic lavender or chamomile essential oil
  
• 8-ounce glass spray bottle

Ingredients for a 16-Ounce Bottle

(X-Large Batch—bulk use for large families)

• 2 teaspoons sodium ascorbate or ascorbic acid
  
• 2 cups filtered water
  
• Optional: a few drops of organic lavender or chamomile essential oil
  
• 16-ounce glass spray bottle
  

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Directions To Make Vitamin C Swim Spray

There are just a few simple steps to mix up this DIY chlorine neutralizing swim spray:

1. Add the vitamin C powder to your spray bottle.
2. Pour in the water, and give it a gentle shake to dissolve.
3. Add essential oil if you’re feeling fancy.
4. Store in the fridge to keep it fresh (vitamin C can oxidize faster than your toddler’s snack disappears).
5. Shake before each use. Spritz liberally. Strut like the crunchy queen you are.

How Long Does Vitamin C Swim Spray Last?

Vitamin C breaks down with heat, light, and air, so this spray is best fresh. For max effectiveness, make small batches.

Pop it in the fridge to keep it chilled. And use it within a week, or just whip up a fresh one each swim day (it’s so quick, even your toddler could do it—well, almost).

When + How to Use Your Vitamin C Swim Spray

Now that you’ve got your magical chlorine neutralizing spray, choose your chlorine-fighting level below—from quick spritz to full-on crunchy mama mode.

Here’s how to use it depending on your mood, schedule, and level of crunchy commitment:

Option 1: Standard Protection (Quick + Effective)

Keep it simple, keep it quick. For days when you’re wrangling kids and snacks and sunscreen and just need something to fight off the chlorine cling.

Before Swimming:

1. Rinse off in the shower (wet skin = less chlorine absorption)
   

After Swimming:

1. Spray vitamin C swim spray all over like you mean it
   
2. Let it hang out for 1–2 minutes
   
3. Then shower to wash off the neutralized chlorine
   

Option 2: Extra Protection (Add a Barrier)

If your skin throws a hissy fit every time you swim or the pool reeks of chlorine, coconut oil is like your skin’s personal bodyguard—blocking chlorine like a champ. This adds a barrier that helps keep chemicals from latching on in the first place.

Before Swimming:

1. Rinse off
   
2. Slather on coconut oil to create a chlorine barrier (just don’t lay out in the sun like a greased-up beach babe from the ‘90s slathered in Banana Boat tanning oil)

After Swimming:

1. Spray vitamin C swim spray to zap chlorine away
   
2. Wait 1–2 minutes
   
3. Shower it all off
   

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Option 3: Full Protection (Pre + Post Spray + Oil)

For moms who treat chlorine exposure like it’s trying to sneak past TSA. This is the full-on crunchy protocol to keep you and the kiddos toxin-free and pool-party ready. Because you don’t mess around with toxins when you’re raising tiny humans.

Before Swimming:

1. Rinse off
   
2. Spray vitamin C swim spray all over like a pro
   
3. Follow up with coconut oil barrier like a protective layer of love (again, don’t fry yourself like it’s your ’90s sun tan oil days)
   

After Swimming:

1. Spray vitamin C swim spray again
   
2. Let it soak in for 1–2 minutes
   
3. Then shower that chlorine goodbye
   

Wrapping Up Natural Chlorine Protection

Making a DIY chlorine neutralizing swim spray is one of the easiest clean living wins you’ll make. It’s fast, affordable, and way better than just letting chlorine marinate on your skin. Plus, no mystery chemicals like those store-bought sprays with ingredients you can’t pronounce.

Whether you’re spraying + running or layering on coconut oil like a toxin-fighting queen, your skin (and microbiome) will thank you. Summer just got a whole lot cleaner and comfier!

Need more crunchy summer gear? Check out my Amazon Storefront for non-toxic sunscreen, natural bug spray, and crunchy baby pool essentials. Your skin—and your peace of mind—will be thrilled. 😉

👉 Want more simple clean living upgrades? Grab my free 5-Day Clean Living Kickstart—it gives you 5 quick, doable swaps that make a big impact.