Does chlorine affect your compost?

Let chlorinated water sit 24–48 hours (or aerate it) before adding it to compost, worm bins, or compost tea/extract. Or better yet, use rainwater. This simple step supports your microbial workforce.

Chlorine:

• 🚫 Kills beneficial microbes: Even low levels in tap water can reduce the microbial diversity needed for active decomposition.
• 🔥 Slows heating: Fewer bacteria and fungi mean slower breakdown and lower compost temperatures.
• 💩 Reduces nutrient cycling: chlorine harms nitrifying and nitrogen-fixing microbes, reducing available nitrogen.
• 🍄 Inhibits fungal growth: especially mycorrhizal and decomposer fungi key for humus formation.
• ♻️ Delays maturity: chlorine-treated compost often takes longer to reach stability and its rich earthy smell.

➡️ Dechlorinate water to protect life. 💧✨🦠