There is a product on the market to remove chlorine from hair and skin (Swim Spray) that costs $12.95 for a 4oz bottle, on their website. If you look at the ingredients of Swim Spray, there are only two: Water and ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
After doing a few minutes of research online, I learned that I could make my own spray by adding 1tsp. of Vitamin C crystals to a pint spray bottle of water. I just purchased a bottle of Vitamin C crystals from Trader Joe's for $11.99. I am going to use my empty 2oz. free sample of Swim Spray to refill it with my own mix for a cost of about $0.13 per bottle (there are 908- 1/8 teaspoons in the bottle of crystals)!
$0.13 vs $6.50 for 2 ounces of Swim Spray. That gives you an idea of how much $ goes into packaging, marketing, salaries, and all of the other overhead expenses to bring a product to market. :afraid:
By the way, if you there is not a Trader Joe's near you, Vitamin C crystals can be purchased online. Just use an empty travel size hairspray bottle, mix up a batch, and throw the bottle in your swim bag. After your swim, briefly rinse off in the shower, spray your hair and skin, wait a few seconds, then rinse. Now you can use your shampoo and body wash or soap as usual.
Edit: I previously typed in 1/4 tsp., rather than 1tsp. (in bold). Sorry for the mistake!
From the label of Trader Joes Vitamin C Crystals:
Serving Size 1/4 teaspoon (1g)
Amount per serving - Vitamin C (as Ascorbic Acid) 1000 mg
Thanks, Swimark. My powder is a bit more potent than the Trader Joe variety, but not so much that I think I need to mix my formula any differently. :)
Thanks, Swimark; you beat me to it! :D
Today, I conducted a very unscientific (but effective) experiment. After swimming, I dunked myself in the spa for an extra dose of chlorine. I then rinsed off (as the SwimSpray instructions advise), before spraying just my left arm with my homemade spray. After letting it sit for a minute, I showered only with water; no shower gel or soap. After I dried off, I smelled my left arm and my right arm.
Results: Left arm - :bliss:, Right arm - :afraid:
Verdict: I am, again, convinced that my own swim spray works great! :banana:
:applaud: Definitely a less expensive option than SwimSpray! But, Trader Joe's Vit C is still the least expensive option I have seen; $11.99 for a 1 lb. bottle.
I'm glad it worked for you! :agree:
A single serving (one teaspoon) of the SolaRay vitamin C powder contains 5000 mg of vitamin C. BTW - I learned that "crystals" and "powder" are the same. :)
I tried to find this information online, but how many milligrams of vitamin C per serving are in the Trader Joe's crystals? If you're using 1/4 teaspoon per 4 oz of water, but if the vitamin C from Trader Joe's has a much lower (or higher) potency, I may want to adjust my formula accordingly.
A single serving (one teaspoon) of the SolaRay vitamin C powder contains 5000 mg of vitamin C. BTW - I learned that "crystals" and "powder" are the same. :)
I tried to find this information online, but how many milligrams of vitamin C per serving are in the Trader Joe's crystals? If you're using 1/4 teaspoon per 4 oz of water, but your vitamin C from Trader Joe's has a lower (or higher) potency, I will want to adjust my formula accordingly.
From the label of Trader Joes Vitamin C Crystals:
Serving Size 1/4 teaspoon (1g)
Amount per serving - Vitamin C (as Ascorbic Acid) 1000 mg
Thanks for all your work Elaine. I've been following this thread closely. I will make a batch of your downhome version for myself. With all my pool time I need something like this. I've been thinking about purchasing Swim Spray, and have now decided not to.
You're welcome, Bill! Making your own batch will save a lot of :2cents:! And, there are a lot of Trader Joe's in Long Beach, so it should be convenient enough to pick up a bottle of Vitamin C there.
Hey, it looks like I will be joining you on the sidelines, August 7, since the 1500m was my 6th event :doh: Somebody from the home office, who shall remain nameless :D, was sure the attendance would be very low at Mission Viejo. So, I gambled and lost. :badday:
And, while I'm thinking of it, Debaru (on this thread) is the other gal you met at the Belmont outdoor pool, back in January 2012. She will be at Nationals, as well. Let's meet up on deck, if you are still planning on being there! :agree:
And, while I'm thinking of it, Debaru (on this thread) is the other gal you met at the Belmont outdoor pool, back in January 2012. She will be at Nationals, as well. Let's meet up on deck, if you are still planning on being there! :agree:
That would be :cool:.
Thanks for all your work Elaine. I've been following this thread closely. I will make a batch of your downhome version for myself. With all my pool time I need something like this. I've been thinking about purchasing Swim Spray, and have now decided not to.
Thanks, Swimark. My powder is a bit more potent than the Trader Joe variety, but not so much that I think I need to mix my formula any differently. :)If a 1gram serving of Trader Joes Vitamin C contains 1000mg, then it is 100% pure vitamin C. Your stuff can't be any more potent. If you get more vitamin C for the same volume, your vitamin C might just be more dense.
Elaine,
Are you using your homemade spray on your swimsuit too?, to remove the chlorine smell.
No, I'm not, because I am not sure how the fabric would react to ascorbic acid. I just follow the care instructions of the suit which suggests just rinsing in cold water.
