By: Card on Guard
Every summer, millions of Americans step into backyard pools believing they’re enjoying a refreshing escape. But behind the shimmer of clear blue water lies a less-discussed reality: cleanliness often comes at a chemical cost. For decades, chlorine has been a dominant force in the $3.5 billion pool care industry, as familiar as the diving board itself. Yet this industry, rooted in tradition, is now experiencing a gradual shift. At the center of that change is Card On Guard, a company using solar energy to offer an alternative approach to pool sanitation—naturally, with a focus on safety and without unnecessary complexity.
Founded by Darren Hickman, Card On Guard offers a solar-powered, low-chemical solution that provides an alternative without demanding a complete overhaul. Its approach doesn’t declare a revolution. Instead, it poses a thoughtful question: what if keeping water clean could rely less on harsh chemicals?
A System Built on Chemicals But Open to Change
Chlorine has long been the go-to choice for pool care because it’s affordable, widely effective, and simple to monitor. A quick test showing “free chlorine” offers reassurance, even if swimmers sometimes experience red eyes, dry skin, or a noticeable chemical scent. While many pool owners have concerns about chemical exposure, most continue using chlorine largely because alternatives have historically seemed less convenient or proven.
Card On Guard aims to change that dynamic. The TUBEs and FIN use sunlight to activate a natural process that may help control bacteria, potentially reducing chlorine use by 50–80%. Instead of replacing what works, it offers a way to enhance it. No plugs, no equipment, no hassle. Just a drop-in solution that could make clean water feel more natural.
From Unlikely Roots to Thoughtful Innovation
The idea that sunlight could contribute to cleaner pool water doesn’t come from a single eureka moment in a lab. It emerges from observations of nature, thoughtful design, and real-world experience. The team behind Card On Guard didn’t start in water treatment. Their backgrounds span agriculture, advertising, and organic skincare—fields that, while seemingly unrelated, each contributed a key insight: nature often operates efficiently when given the right conditions, people respond to solutions that feel intuitive, and gentler approaches can sometimes rival the effectiveness of harsher ones.
This thinking led to a question that guided their development: if the sun can grow our food and power our homes, could it also play a role in cleaning our water? The result is a technology that integrates smoothly into existing routines. No wires, no setup, no jargon. Just solar-powered sanitation feels less like a radical change and more like a practical step forward. And for a growing number of pool owners, that shift isn’t just about convenience—it’s about aligning with their values.
Photo Courtesy: Card on Guard
The Challenges of Innovation
Meaningful change doesn’t always arrive with bold declarations. Sometimes, it succeeds by fitting seamlessly into daily life. Card On Guard recognized that eliminating chlorine entirely wasn’t necessarily the goal. The real opportunity lies in reducing reliance on it. Their products were designed to work within the existing framework of pool care: maintaining “free chlorine” levels, the familiar benchmark people trust. Instead of challenging the status quo directly, they engineered a solution that helps the current system perform better with fewer chemicals.
This approach reflects a deeper understanding of how people adopt new technologies. It wasn’t about convincing skeptics through debate; it was about making the shift so intuitive that adoption feels natural. The technology doesn’t demand behavior change; it works alongside familiar habits, building confidence while delivering measurable benefits. That kind of user-centered design is often overlooked, but it’s what makes Card On Guard’s solution not just appealing but practical for everyday use.
A Growing Movement with Broader Implications
Card On Guard may have begun in residential pools, but the potential applications of its solar-powered technology extend far beyond backyard fences. The same light-driven process could prove useful for commercial cooling towers, municipal water systems, and even produce sanitation—sectors that still depend heavily on chlorine and other harsh chemicals. What started as a new approach to pool water might eventually inspire broader changes in sanitation.
Yet, this is no loud revolution. Card On Guard’s strength lies in its steady, evidence-based progress—earning trust gradually. The team remains focused on the everyday user: the homeowner looking to make pool care simpler and safer. It’s that combination of vision and practicality that gives the company lasting potential, proving that meaningful innovations don’t always need fanfare—they just need to work.
The Bigger Picture: Rethinking What ‘Clean’ Means
Photo Courtesy: Card on Guard
The assumption that “clean” water must be saturated with chemicals has rarely been challenged—until now. Card On Guard isn’t just offering a product; it’s encouraging a reconsideration of what safety, health, and sustainability can look like in everyday life. When pool care becomes less about managing chemical side effects and more about harnessing natural processes, people may start to reconsider other areas where chemicals are used more than necessary.
That’s the broader shift taking shape. As more families prioritize health and sustainability, solutions that balance effectiveness with simplicity will likely grow in popularity. Card On Guard’s technology doesn’t just reduce chemical use; it offers a clearer vision of what “clean” water could be. And as sunlight powers everything from our homes to our daily routines, it’s only logical that it could also play a role in caring for our water.
Clean Water Powered by Nature
The pool industry may be ready for a smarter, safer shift, and it’s already beginning to happen, one pool at a time. For those interested in exploring cleaner water with fewer chemicals, Card On Guard provides an option worth considering. Let sunlight contribute to the work. Let nature play its part.
Published by Joseph T.
