What cleaning products are safe to use with septic systems?
- septic system.
- drain cleaner.
- ammonia.
- bleach.
- laundry detergent.
What is the best cleaner for septic tanks?
Types of Septic Tank Treatments
- Inorganic Acids or Alkalis. Inorganic acids or alkalis are poor options for the health of your septic tank. ...
- Hydrogen Peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide was once a popular suggestion for septic tank treatment by many different septic maintenance companies.
- Organic Solvents. ...
- Biological Additives. ...
What is the best laundry detergent for septic tanks?
Best laundry detergent for septic systems
- Instant Power Septic System Treatment Dissolving Pacs
- Grateful House Premium Quality Set of 2 Eco Friendly Laundry Balls for washing machine. ...
- Ultra Fresh Platinum Commercial Laundry Detergent. ...
- O3 Pure Professional Eco Laundry Washer System – Newest Generation. ...
How to clean your septic tank naturally?
How to Use:
- Baking Soda. When you use baking soda as the only ingredient, you may sprinkle and then rub it on the tiles with a damp sponge. ...
- Vinegar and Baking Soda. If you will use this mixture, use a sponge and douse it in vinegar-baking soda mixture and wipe the tub or tiles. ...
- Vinegar and Water. ...
- This organic ingredient does not only make your bath or tiles clean. ...
Are your laundry products OK to use with septic tanks?
Use phosphate-free products whenever possible. Everything from body soaps and shampoo to dishwasher and laundry detergent flows down the drain and ends up in your septic tank. The key to avoiding a messy septic system backup is to only use septic-friendly cleaning products. Most products labeled “all-natural” are safe to use.
What cleaners should you not use with a septic tank?
Avoid using cleaners that contain toxic bleach, ammonia, phosphates, or petroleum-based chemicals, which can harm your septic.Feb 9, 2022
What cleaning products should I use with a septic tank?
Products containing bleach are safe for use with septic systems in small amounts, and mild detergents, such as laundry detergents, are generally safe for use in septic systems. Phosphate-free detergents that are low-sudsing are best.Mar 21, 2019
Is Dawn dish soap safe for septic systems?
One of the best know is commercials for Dawn dish soap. The ability for the cleaner to disperse oil and grease is better for cleaning, as it helps to break it up. The reason these are bad for septic systems is because if you use too much they can leach out into the environment without being properly treated.Jan 25, 2019
Is Lysol safe for septic tanks?
Assuming that you follow the directions on using it appropriately, the Lysol bowl cleaner will not harm your septic system. This cleaner is an effective cleaner and disinfectant that is safe and harmless to use in toilets. Other toilet cleaner brands may contain acids, but if it is considered safe when not used often.
Is Zoflora safe for septic tanks?
Zoflora can be used neat down toilet bowls, drains and plugholes to eliminate odours and kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. Is Zoflora suitable to use if you have a septic tank? Yes, Zoflora Concentrated Multipurpose Disinfectant can be used in homes with septic tanks.
Is Pinesol safe for septic systems?
Q: Are Pine Sol® cleaners septic safe? A: Yes! Following the recommended use of any Pine-Sol® product will not harm your septic system.
What type of dishwasher detergent is best for septic tanks?
Best List of Septic Safe Dishwasher DetergentsBetter Life Natural Dishwasher Gel. ... Lemi Shine Natural Dishwasher Pods. ... Seventh Generation Fragrance-Free Dishwasher Detergent. ... Puracy Platinum Dishwasher Detergent Pods. ... Sun & Earth Concentrated Liquid Dish Soap. ... Method Dishwasher Soap. ... ECOS Earth Friendly Wave Dishwasher Gel.More items...•Apr 4, 2022
Is laundry detergent safe for septic systems?
Septic Safe Choose a powdered or high-efficiency laundry detergent that does not foam up too much if you have an aerated septic system.
Is Listerine septic safe?
Chemicals such as bleach, disinfectants and antiseptics, even mouthwash, can kill the bacteria and bring the digestive process to a halt. These should be put down the drain sparingly, if at all. Only biodegradable toilet paper should be flushed; other paper and sanitary products should not.Feb 20, 1997
Is vinegar harmful to septic tanks?
Baking soda and other common household solutions such as vinegar are not harmful to your septic system. Harsh chemicals such as bleach and ammonia can disrupt the good bacteria in your septic tank and should not be used as part of a septic treatment.May 27, 2016
Are Clorox toilet tablets septic safe?
Toilet bowl cleaners and bleach/chlorine based cleaners should be avoided or minimized. Look for chlorine bleach or chemical sodium hypochlorite on product labels. Using these products could result in your septic tank backing up, creating costly repairs, contaminating your drinking water, odors and much more.May 25, 2018
Is OxiClean safe for a septic system?
Vinegar (white vinegar and apple cider vinegar), Borax, OxiClean, and baking soda are some products that can be used to clean very well and be septic-system safe. Oxidized bleaches are also a less hazardous alternative to chlorine bleach.
Cleaning products that are safe to use with septic systems
A good rule of thumb is that if the cleaning product is safe for humans, it’s probably safe for the septic tank as well.
Cleaning products to avoid with your septic system
We all know that bleach is harmful, both to things it touches and to the environment. However, it can be very hard to clean some items without using a little bleach. "Little" is the important word here.
WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE SEPTIC SYSTEMS
The advantage of a septic tank is that they are far cheaper and durable than sewage pipes. Because it is a closed system that requires no external energy, it does not generate a monthly bill and can last for decades without needing replacement.
HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS TO AVOID
Water Softeners can harm the bacteria within the septic tank and release greater concentrations of waste and grease into the drain field
CLEANING PRODUCTS TO AVOID
Antibacterial and disinfecting products are not necessary for most domestic situations (they were designed to sterilize hospitals) and will kill beneficial bacteria that help your septic tank function.
SEPTIC SAFE CLEANING PRODUCTS
Remember that your septic tank does not filter for chemicals or toxins and that it goes directly back into the natural environment. This is why it is important to use natural cleaners that won't add to the growing number of synthetic chemicals negatively impacting our natural surrounds.
SEPTIC SAFE BATHROOM CLEANERS
It’s simple to use all-natural cleaning products in most areas of your home, but the one room in your home where chemical cleaners are often a given is the bathroom. Having a clean bathroom is important for your health, but disinfecting your shower, tub, and other surfaces don’t require harsh chemicals.
TOILET CLEANERS SAFE FOR SEPTIC SYSTEMS
The toilet is a notoriously dirty place. It can be tempting to use heavy-duty cleaners to make sure germs are demolished.
SEPTIC SAFE CLEANING
Natural cleaning products for the most part are safe for septic systems. When looking at products for use in Septic Systems, it's best to take the guesswork out of it. Products that are safe for Septic Systems state “Septic Safe” on their labels.
What kills bacteria in a septic tank?
Disinfectants. Large amounts of disinfectants, much like bleach, will kill that all-important bacteria in your septic tank. That’s because many of them contain bleach. Keep usage down, and make sure to leave a reasonable amount of time between each use so your septic tank can recover.
What should I not put in my septic tank?
You probably already know some things that shouldn’t ever enter your septic tank system, such as; lubricants, petroleum-based fuels, lead-based paints, and car maintenance products. Along with these, there are also household cleaning products that you should be steering clear of. A popular example would be anti-bacterial soaps.
Does septic tank cleaning kill bacteria?
You might not know this, but your septic tank needs active bacteria to keep it running seamlessly. So making sure to choose septic-safe cleaning products will actually extend the life of your septic system. Many products used for cleaning can kill off all the good bacteria of your septic tank’s ecosystem.
Does crystal drain cleaner affect septic tank?
Unsurprisingly, these are detrimental to the bacteria in your septic tank. Occasional usage won’t affect your septic tank, but if the blockage is large, it might be worth calling in the plumber rather than reaching for the de-clogger.
Can laundry detergent harm a septic system?
Detergents. Laundry and dishwasher detergents can have some pretty strong chemicals in their ingredient list. The damage they do can go further than just your septic tank too. Some of their ingredients can contaminate local water sources, harming wildlife.
Is septic tank draining good?
It’s particularly good at making drains stay fresh, clean, and clear. But the thing you can do for your septic system is; stay healthy. A healthy body produces all of the extraordinary bacteria that your septic tank craves. So keep fit, and avoid flushing any harsh chemicals down the drain.
Can you dispose of oily products in a septic tank?
Oils And Solvents. Oily products and solvents should never be disposed of down your drains. They will cause an imbalance in your septic tank system and can cause lots of issues down the line. Take them to a local waste facility and dispose of them properly.
What is the best way to clean a septic tank?
It is labelled as environmentally-friendly. Here’s a quick guide to the best cleaning products to use with a septic tank. Washing powder suitable for septic tanks. It’s always safest to choose a liquid laundry detergent over a powdered one. Sometimes, additives in washing powder don’t break down properly and, over time, they can clog your system. ...
Why is it important to clean a septic tank?
Choosing the right cleaning product for your septic tank is important for maintaining its bacterial balance. Septic tanks use bacteria to naturally break down the waste inside. Using unsuitable cleaning products can kill that same bacteria living inside and cause a whole host of unpleasant problems, including groundwater pollution ...
Can you use liquid drain cleaner on a septic tank?
However, for stubborn blockages, a liquid drain cleaner is safe on the odd occasion but should not be used regularly.
Is it safe to use a septic tank cleaner?
Some key indicators that a cleaning product should be safe to use with your septic tank include: It is a mild detergent. It is a water-based product. The product is phosphate-free. The product is labelled as ‘septic-safe’. The product is biodegradable. It is labelled as environmentally-friendly.
Can you clean a septic tank with chemicals?
Once you know what’s safe and what isn’t, there are many different types of suitable cleaning products for a septic tank. While your septic tank can handle low levels of some chemicals, it’s important to take care with what you’re putting inside and only use cleaning products that contain chemicals occasionally.
Is duck toilet cleaner safe?
According to its manufacturer, the Duck brand of toilet cleaner is indeed safe for use with septic tanks. Here at OMDI, our team have more than 20 years’ experience in designing, installing and maintaining both commercial and domestic septic tanks.
Can you use bleach in a septic tank?
Bleach is used to kill bacteria, so it’s important to take care when using bleach in your septic tank. As a rule, standard household bleach should be fine for use with a septic tank as it is diluted and not strong enough to kill your tank’s bacteria. However, it’s best to avoid extra strong bleach. Drain blockage remover suitable for septic tanks.
What metals are in a septic tank?
Most cosmetic products contain heavy metals like zinc, chromium, silver, cadmium and even titanium. When you wash off these cosmetics in the sink, some of these metals find their way into the septic tank. since these metals are not biodegradable, they will eventually leave the septic tank in their original state and end up contaminating the groundwater. Cosmetics are therefore some of the most important products to avoid when you have a septic system
What happens if you pour a lot of grease in the sink?
For starters, the FOG will cool down and get stuck on the sides of the pipes. The accumulated fog will continue to trap debris and this could eventually result in clogged pipes.
What to do if soap goes down the drain?
If this type of soap goes down your drain, it will do exactly that – kill the useful bacteria in the septic system. Just use ordinary soap to avoid this. Natural disinfectants like lime juice can also be used instead of antibacterial soaps.
Is bleach bad for a septic tank?
Bleach. Bleach is highly toxic to bacteria and should either be avoided or used sparsely. Using bleach in small quantities when cleaning clothes is ok but if you overdo it, the bleach might kill the useful bacteria in the septic tank. Furthermore, bleach will also leave the septic tank in its original form thereby resulting in contamination ...
Can medicine seep into a septic tank?
Medicines also contain some substances that will easily seep out of the septic tank and end up polluting the groundwater. This is actually a very common phenomenon today. For instance, a 2008 study found that at least 41 million Americans were drinking water that was contaminated by various pharmaceutical products.
Is latex a biodegradable material?
Latex products. Latex products are mostly non-biodegradable and are, therefore, products to avoid flushing. This means that latex products will not be digested with the bacteria and can only be removed at the next pumping. In some cases, the latex might even find its way into the drain field and that can result in clogging up of the system.
Can drain cleaners kill bacteria?
Drain cleaners. Drain cleaners are a double-edged sword – not only do they kill bacteria in the septic system but they also corrode the pipes. Drain cleaners should, therefore, be completely avoided even for those that do not use a septic system. To be on the safe side, use an enzymatic and bacterial-made degreaser.
How Laundry Detergents Affect Your Septic System
What type of laundry detergent do you use? Certain laundry detergents are known to be harmful to beneficial bacteria found within septic tanks. These bacteria act on organic waste by breaking these into simple components.
Use Only Septic-Safe Laundry Detergents
Thankfully there are quite a lot of septic-safe laundry detergent products available today.
Septic-Safe Laundry Detergents To Buy
Several high-quality septic-safe detergents are available and can be easily bought from stores.

Things You Should Avoid
Bleach
- Small amounts of bleach are needed for some regions of the home. But make sure to use it sparingly. Large amounts of bleachwill kill off the bacteria in your septic tank. And while you don’t want bacteria in your home, it’s actually something you want to encourage in your septic tank system. So keep usage to a minimum.
Disinfectants
- Large amounts of disinfectants, much like bleach, will kill that all-important bacteria in your septic tank. That’s because many of them contain bleach. Keep usage down, and make sure to leave a reasonable amount of time between each use so your septic tank can recover.
Drain Cleaners
- Drain cleaners, especially crystal drain cleaners, can contain large amounts of hydrochloric and sulfuric acid. Unsurprisingly, these are detrimental to the bacteria in your septic tank. Occasional usage won’t affect your septic tank, but if the blockage is large, it might be worth calling in the plumber rather than reaching for the de-clogger.
Detergents
- Laundry and dishwasher detergents can have some pretty strong chemicals in their ingredient list. The damage they do can go further than just your septic tank too. Some of their ingredients can contaminate local watersources, harming wildlife.
Oils and Solvents
- Oily products and solvents should never be disposed of down your drains. They will cause an imbalance in your septic tank system and can cause lots of issues down the line. Take them to a local waste facility and dispose of them properly.