Think about it: you’re standing in a hot, steamy box. Heat makes the chlorine gas volatilize, meaning it leaps out of the water and into the air.
Your nose is inches from the source. You’re basically sniffing the gas as it escapes.
It’s the same reason a hot cup of coffee smells stronger than a cold one. Your shower is just a fragrant biology lesson.
The Time of Year Matters, Too
Ever notice the smell gets worse in summer? Water treatment plants often increase chlorine levels during warmer months.
More people swimming? More bacteria in reservoirs? More chlorine. It’s a chemical arms race against the microscopic world.
Why Your Shower Water Smells Like Chlorine | Inline Shower Filter Guide
So if your shower suddenly smells like a public pool in July, that’s why. You’re living in peak germ-fighting season.