The answer is: vinegar and baking soda are safe for septic tanks. They can break up grime in your pipes and even remove some stains from your sinks, tubs, and toilets. At the same time, they're natural and not so harsh that they'll kill the good bacteria in your septic tank.
Baking soda and vinegar are safe and effective cleaners for your household drains and, best yet, they are 100% safe for your septic tank and drain field. Bleach and ammonia-based cleaners (i.e. most of the cleaning aisle at the big-box stores) can be harmful to the good bacteria in your septic tank.
Use Green Gobbler enzyme drain cleaner, it's non toxic and septic safe. It works incredibly well.
Do not put cigarette butts, paper towels, sanitary tampons, condoms, disposable diapers, anything plastic or similar non-biodegradables into a septic tank system. Avoid washing food scraps, coffee grinds, and other food items down the drain. Avoid using a garburator to dispose of kitchen wastes.
RID-X: This is one of the most popular septic tank treatments. It contains a blend of enzymes and bacteria that help break down waste and reduce odors. It's designed for regular monthly use.
Enzymes go to work on the scum, and bacteria goes to work on the sludge. The microbes eat the waste and convert large portions of it into liquids and gases. This process allows the septic tank to push the now-treated wastewater out to the drainfield.
Yes, Dawn dish soap is generally safe for septic systems. It's got quite a reputation for being septic-friendly, and for good reason. As long as you're not going overboard with it, Dawn isn't likely to mess with the bacteria in your septic tank.
Frequently Asked Questions About Septic Tanks
Water from your shower goes into the septic tank, so an overfull septic tank could lead to sewage backups.
Septic systems are not intended to dispose of food waste, coffee grounds, grease, or fat, and, in fact, they will harm the septic tank. Try using a compost pile for non-meat food waste; it will help you avoid paying for unnecessary septic system repairs! Don't use a kitchen garbage disposal.
Use a septic-safe laundry detergent: When shopping for laundry detergent, look for products that are labeled "septic-safe" or "biodegradable." These detergents are formulated to be gentler on your septic system and won't harm the bacteria that break down waste in your tank.
Household septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years. Alternative systems with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components should be inspected more often, generally once a year.
Most of us have glanced down the drain only to find a giant glob of hair in or around it. That hair gets washed down the pipes and begins to clump up in the drains and in the septic tank inlet itself. This hair clump can cause slow drains, clogs, or even eliminate the balance in the tank itself.
Baking soda is abrasive, which, when used in large quantities, will cause the drain more damage. Additionally, the acidic nature of vinegar can eat away rubber and metal, damaging the plumbing. As these products break down the pipe and connectors in the plumbing in your home, it will cause more clogs over time.
The best option for unclogging drains and keeping your septic system healthy is to use natural and eco-friendly drain cleaner alternatives such as enzyme-based cleaners or a combination of vinegar, baking soda, and hot water. As long as it's non-toxic and biodegradable, it should not harm your septic system.
Hydrogen peroxide, once promoted as an infiltration field reconditioner, has been found to actually degrade soil structure and compromise long-term viability of soil treatment potential. Its use to unclog failed infiltration fields is no longer recommended.
Adding a septic system bacteria additive once a month restores the good worker bacteria and enzymes to counteract the effects of household disinfectants. Waste & Grease Eco-Friendly Digestant makes it easy to maintain a clean and sanitized home environment as well as a healthy bacteria population in your septic tank.
Do not use foam drain cleaners, only liquid. Some products that you already use and have around the house are safe for your 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.
On average, it takes anywhere from three to five years for waste to fully decompose in a septic tank. The decomposition time for waste in a septic tank can vary based on several factors, including the tank's size, the number of occupants in the household, and the types of waste introduced.
So, to sum it all up, Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner and most other Lysol products are generally safe for septic systems if you use it like they tell you to. It cleans and disinfects well without hurting the good bacteria that your septic system needs. But remember, don't use too much of it or any cleaning stuff.
Tree roots are a septic system's worst nightmare. They surround the system for its water and damage the leach field and tank. Large roots have been known to crack septic tanks and make mincemeat out of drain fields. Plant trees away from the septic system to avoid root encroachment and damage.
Epsom salt can be used as a septic-safe toilet cleaner that eliminates grime and hard water stains. Combine one cup of Epsom salt, a half-cup of baking soda, and a quarter-cup of dish soap until a paste forms.
Have use Cascade Complete and Platinum gel pacs for 2+ years. HIGHLY RECOMMEND for hard water and septic tanks.
Antibacterial soap is made to kill bacteria. While this may be great for cleaning, it is terrible for your septic system. By its very nature, antibacterial soaps also kill the bacteria inside your septic tank.