Best Septic Safe Cleaning Products That You Can Use
People prefer septic systems since they are cheaper and durable than the city sewage pipes. Septic systems are considered as a closed system since it does not need to have external energy. What is also good about it does not make your monthly bill strikingly high. Your septic tank can even last for decades without needing replacement. That is if you use and maintain it properly. The Septic system creates a beneficial contribution to the health of our ecosystem. The water is pushed through the drain field helps in nourishing the necessary bacteria and microorganisms for the treatment process. Because of this, you need to be aware of the products that you introduce to your system. These products can have adverse effects not only on the septic tank mechanism but also on the environment.
Septic Systems cannot protect the groundwater from the chemicals found in some of your household products. Thus, you need to select what is best for your septic system.
What to Avoid?
Large Quantities of Crystal Drain Cleaners
Crystal drain cleaners have generous amounts of lye, sulfuric acid, and hydrochloric acid. These components can kill the significant bacteria that your septic system needs and can even cause corrosion. If possible, you may try using diluted liquid drain cleaners. These cleaners can move more quickly in the septic system and are safer to use.
A large amount of Disinfectants
Disinfectants can also harm the essential bacteria in your septic tank. Antibacterial and disinfecting products are not usually needed in treating septic systems at home. They are specifically designed for sterilizing hospitals. If you use these products in your home septic system, you can kill the essential bacteria that aids in keeping your system efficient.
If you need to use them, try to limit the quantities and follow the product directions. Also, allow time for the system bacteria to recover in between uses.
Oily Products
Cooking grease from bacon and other fatty products can solidify inside your septic tank and block the pipes. Additionally, the bath oils that you can also cause clogging in your drain field and coat the waste inside your tank, making it impossible to break down.
Chemical Drain Cleaners and Chlorine Bleach
Large amounts of bleach and drain cleaners can disrupt your septic system’s essential bacteria. These products can even cause toxicity to aquatic life, primarily when your tank is located close to the natural water system. There is a high chance of introducing these products coming from your wastewater releasing them into the groundwater through your system.
Methylisothiazolinone Products
Methylisothiazolinone is a chemical that is usually incorporated in consumer products. Often, it is added to cleaning products as a preservative because of its antimicrobial properties. However, some of its harmful effects include allergic reactions and can even cause toxicity to aquatic life.
What Should You Use?
Go for Natural Cleaners
Your septic tank is not capable of filtering chemicals or toxins that can go directly to the environment. It is better to use natural cleaning products that will not add to the adverse side effects of the increasing number of synthetic chemicals affecting our ecosystem.
Use Biodegradable Ingredients
Use products containing biodegradable ingredients. These products can be broken down in our natural environment compared to the synthetic chemicals that will only cause build-up.
Verified From the State’s Department of Health
For you to be sure that the products passing your septic system are safe and do not harm the environment, you must look for a verification coming from your state’s department of health or environmental working group. Through this, you can guarantee that these products are not simply getting the claims of being environmentally friendly. You may also check the Environmental Working Group’s list to choose products that will work best in your septic system.
Mild All-Purpose Cleaners
You may use a mild detergent such as those you use for your laundry or anything generally safe for your septic system. Phosphate-free detergents are usually preferred. You may also use natural detergents. Look for products that are non-chlorine, biodegradable, and non-toxic. They do not have harsh chemicals that can harm your septic systems or kill the necessary bacteria in your tank.
Septic Safe Cleaning Products
Your septic system is delicate. A small amount of the wrong chemical is all it will take to create damage to your system. Because of this, you may try using natural products that are efficient and safe to use. Some of these include lemon juice, baking soda, salt, borax, and distilled white vinegar.
Septic Friendly Bathroom Cleaner
All of the natural cleaning products can be used in most areas of your home. However, that one part of your home where most chemicals are often used is your bathroom. A clean bathroom might be great for your health, but you don’t need to use harsh chemicals to disinfect your shower, toilet, and other surfaces. Some of these practical and safe natural cleaners are septic safe :
- Borax. You may use this as a surface disinfectant by mixing it with a ½ cup of water.
- Vinegar. The natural enzymes coming from the vinegar can break down those scums created by your soap and even eliminate odor.
- Baking Soda. This ingredient has a rough texture that you may use in making your bathroom fixtures shine.
Septic Safe Toilet Bowl Cleaners
It might be sometimes tempting to use heavy-duty cleaners for your toilet and ensure that germs are eliminated. However, several toilet bowl cleaners have bleach and hydrochloric acid, which can harm your health and septic system. Some of the cleaners that contain phosphates or petroleum-based chemicals might also affect your system. Thus, you may switch to natural and proven effective cleaners:
- Baking Soda. It is an affordable and effective cleaning agent. Put ½ cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl and let it sit. If you can leave it overnight, the better. In the morning, you may already flush the mixture and begin scrubbing the toilet.
- White Vinegar. The household vinegar’s acidity helps in breaking down hard water stains in your toilet. What you need is to pour half a cup of vinegar into your toilet bowl, let it sit overnight, then scrub it the next day. Just take note that does not use the baking soda along with the vinegar. Since the baking soda is a base and the vinegar is an acid, they will neutralize and become ineffective when mixed.
Top Septic-Safe Products in the Market
Eco-Me Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Eco-Me Natural Toilet Cleaner is effective in removing stubborn stains, hard water spots, and mineral deposits. This product does not contain ammonia, bleach, and synthetic fragrance, making it safe for your septic system. Aside from being septic-safe, it is also cruelty-free. The manufacturer did not use or harm any animal as a testing subject. They conducted several tests and research to develop this natural and safe plant-derived cleaner without harming any animal.
Eco-Me has a thick consistency that sticks on the bowl, so you do not need to use a lot of it. A little drop goes a long way. It has a herbal mint smell that deodorizes the room, leaving a fresh scent.
Ecover Toilet Cleaner
Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner is made of biodegradable plant-based ingredients that can be good in breaking down the inside of your septic tank, leaving the bacteria and aquatic life unharmed. This product passed the necessary tests for environmental sustainability given by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD). Ecover’s label, cap, and bottle are made from recyclable materials. Thus, it further limits the toxic waste in our
environment.
Better Life Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Another septic-safe and the plant-based product is Better Life Toilet Cleaner. This product has a thick consistency so that it clings to the toilet’s surface, diminishing the stains, toilet bowl rings, and mineral deposits. Better Life throne tidying cleaner uses a 100% recyclable container as part of their environmental conservation commitment. It is also good because it is cruelty-free, so you have the confidence to use the product without even thinking that you harm animals.
Better Life Cleaner has a tea tree and peppermint scent. It does not leave any strong smell, unlike other chemical-based cleaners.
Green Works Cleaner
Green Works Naturally Derived Toilet Bowl Cleaner is a bleach-free and plant-derived product making it septic safe. This product can remove tough stains, mineral deposits, and even the brown pigment that forms a ring in your toilet. It also has an angled nozzle for easy use. One of the good things about this Green Works Cleaner is that it is not abrasive. It will not peel off the Sana gloss from your toilet, and it can even prevent skid marks.
Green Works Toilet Cleaner leaves a fresh smell which is a good thing, especially to those sensitive to chemical-based solid cleaners who can’t stand the scent. You may also use this product to clean your other bathroom fixtures.
Word of Thought
One of the biggest causes of septic systems damage is the household and cleaning products that we use. You need to be careful with the products that you regularly use. Using septic-safe products will mean a lot in keeping the environment and your septic system healthy. Also, note that these products will surely help you clean your septic system, but it is still the best option to have septic tank cleaning services done by a professional to maintain your system correctly.
Meta Description
Septic systems need proper cleaning to maintain their function. These are some of the cleaning products that are safe to use in your septic system.
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