Can anyone provide me with a list of products that are safe for septic systems?
We are moving to the country this summer and our new house has a septic system rather than public sewers. This is very new to us and since the house also has a dishwasher, I was wondering about a septic safe dishwashing liquid, among other things. I know bleach and tampons are out-I've been doing a little research. I have also heard that rid-X can help. I have also heard the rule of thumb about "If it can't go through you, it shouldn't go through your septic system." If you have a septic and can provide me with some national (U.S.) brands that are OK for most household chores I would appreciate it! Thanks!
Public Comments
- Rid-X is really good for your septic. Alsooo, have it checked out reguarly, or else you may have to end up replacing the whole septic system, and having all the "waste" not flush and try to go back into the house. P.S. paper towels and wipes =NO Also, you can use any dishwasher detergent that you want. It doesn't affect the septic system at all.
- You do not want to use anything with powder. Use Liquid detergent and liquid toilet cleaner etc. Ask any septic expert and they will tell you that is a HUGE NO NO! Powdered detergents contain plastic fillers and that clogs up things. The only thing powdered you should use is RID EX...it is great. We have had a septic for 26 years now ...and we made the mistake of using powdered detergent...even in the dishwasher. It does not dissolve and gets like concrete and they have to break it up and it can be very messy and costly. RID EX is a powdered chemical you put down in the toilet or sink at night while it can work. Once in the septic it releases enzymes that eat away at grease, paper and waste. It really is good to have!
- no Drano or other chemical drain cleaners
- Suggested Detergents, Bleaches & Toilet Paper for use in Septic Systems: Detergents: Should be concentrated, low-sudsing, low (or no)-phosphate, and bio-degradable. Aeration systems should use powdered detergent to prevent foaming in the aeration chamber. Septic tank systems should use liquid detergents. Amway S-A-8 Arm & Hammer Boraxo Cheer Dash Equator Fresh Start Oxydol Seventh Generation Here's a list of environmentally friendly laundry detergents: All Free and Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent Bi-O-Kleen Laundry Powder Cal Ben Seafoam Laundry Soap Charlie's Soap Laundry Detergent Country Save Laundry Products Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Earth Friendly Laundry Products Ecover Liquid Laundry Wash Ecover Ultra Washing Powder Ecover Wool Wash Laundry Liquid Healthy Living Fresh Laundry Concentrate Mountain Green Ultra Laundry Liquid Mrs. Meyers Laundry Detergent Naturally Yours Laundry Detergent Oxy Prime Laundry Detergent Planet Ultra Liquid or Powdered Laundry Detergent Planet Delicate Laundry Wash Restore Laundry Detergent Seventh Generation Laundry Liquid Seventh Generation Laundry Powder Sodasan Soap Washing Powder Ultra Citra-Suds Natural Laundry Detergent Toilet Tissue (should readily dissolve) Cottenelle White Cloud Northern Cleaning products: Recommend using non-chlorine, non-ammonia, non-antibacterial, non-toxic and bio-degradable. Avoid multiple wash loads (3 or more) in one day; spread out your laundry during the week. Multiple loads will "flush" the system, resulting in the sewage not being treated. Recommend using the concentrated form of laundry detergent, as fillers in the economy size containers do not dissolve easily. Do not operate dishwasher and washing machine at the same time. Repair leaking/flowing faucets or toilets immediately. Use water flow reducing devices whenever possible. Limit excessive water use of any kind. How often to pump out the tank? http://ohioline.osu.edu/aex-fact/0740.html Do not waste your money with any kind of septic system additives, they do not work and some can damage your system. See http://www.shelterpub.com/_shelter/ssom_additives.html for an excellent, non-biased article. More frequent pumping is necessary if garbage disposals are used. To Prevent Malfunction Of Your Sewage Treatment System The Following Materials Should NOT Be Discharged Into The Sewer: •Plastic Materials (including condoms) •Tampons, tampon applicators, sanitary pads, etc. •Cloth •Large quantities of acids or caustics – soaps or cleaning materials, with a high or low pH factor •Cigarette stubs •Coffee grounds •Disposable diapers •Rubber Products •Paper Towels •Tissues •Grease or fatty materials •Oily materials, motor oils, grease, kerosene, gasoline, paints, etc. •Any material which does not disintegrate or dissolve readily •Backwash water from water softeners •Sump pump discharge In short, the ONLY thing that should be flushed into the sewage treatment system is what naturally comes out of humans and toilet paper. This includes septic system additives! There are no additives that will significantly help the system, and there are some that can hurt the system.
