When you have a septic system, it’s important to keep it in good condition. This includes being aware of which products can be used safely and which products to avoid. Here is your full list of safe and unsafe products for your septic:
Safe Products
When it comes to household cleaning products, natural products are typically considered safe to use with septic systems. Natural products won’t harm bacteria in your septic system or cause clogs to form. Ideally, you should use natural cleaning products that are biodegradable and non-toxic, such as:
- Lemon juice
- Distilled white vinegar
- Salt
- Baking soda
- Borax
You can use these kinds of products to clean and disinfect toilets, tubs, showers, and other surfaces in your bathrooms and other parts of your home. For example, you can safely use white vinegar or baking soda to clean your toilets without having to worry about damage to your septic system and costly repairs.
Unsafe Products
Some household products can cause severe damage to your septic system. If you have these products in your house, you should avoid letting them go down any drains or pipes in your house, including sink drains, toilets, and tub drains. These unsafe septic products include:
- Cat litter
- Cooking grease
- Coffee grounds
- Bath oils
When we refer to unsafe products, these products can cause your septic system to become clogged. Other products to avoid flushing or putting down sink drains include:
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Pharmaceuticals
- Non-flushable wipes
Water softener products can harm bacteria that help keep your septic system working properly, and other products can introduce dangerous toxins to your system. These products include:
- Gas
- Oil
- Solvents
- Weed killers
- Insecticides
- Paint thinners
Some cleaning products can actually kill the good bacteria that septic systems need in order to function. Some of these products also have chemicals that can harm natural water systems that are close to your home. To prevent this from happening, you should avoid using chlorine bleach and antimicrobial products containing methylisothiazolinone.
- Antibacterial cleaning products and disinfectants are among the cleaning products you should avoid using when you have a septic system.
- Chlorine bleach and chemical drain cleaners can also harm septic system bacteria, leading to the need for septic repairs.
If you’re looking for septic-safe products to purchase, always read labels and avoid chlorine bleach or other ingredients that could harm your septic system. Instead, you should look for products that are organic, since these are less likely to contain harmful chemicals. To be safe, choose products that have the Safer Choice label on them from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Our technicians are here to help ensure that your septic system is working and in tip-top shape all year long. Call us at (603) 945-7355 or contact us here for all your septic needs.