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As a septic professional, I'm often asked
what products are safe for septic use
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Get answers to common septic system questions from Jacqueline Sommers, a certified wastewater professional and owner of Better Than Septic
Wastewater contains a variety of constituents, including human and food waste, pharmaceuticals, pathogens, nutrients and chemicals
Today we're going to discuss laundry products that are intended to be rinsed down the drain during normal use
LAUNDRY PRODUCTS
Q (to Jacque): Are laundry products safe for septic systems?
A: Today's laundry detergents and stain sprays are considered SAFE for both septic systems and groundwater. Look for products that say "septic safe" and "environmentally responsible".
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| If clothes are still soapy after the final rinse, you're using too much laundry detergent |
Q: Is powdered or liquid laundry detergent better?
A: Homeowners with septic systems should only use liquid laundry detergent which tend to have less fillers and supplemental ingredients than powdered detergents.
Q: Any detergent tips?
A: Don't overdo it! Today's high efficiency washing machines use far less detergent than standard models so always measure to be sure that you're using the right amount of detergent for the load size and steer away from highly fragranced products.
Q: Is it safe to use bleach with a septic system?
A: I always caution homeowners from excessive use of bleach, and generally speaking, the occasional use of small amounts of bleach won't harm the beneficial bacteria in a septic system.
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| Use all laundry products in moderation |
Q: What about liquid fabric softener?
A: Liquid fabric softener is one of the biggest septic offenders because it adds unnecessary salts to the system that disrupt and kill the useful bacteria. Try dryer sheets or a white vinegar rinse instead.
Q: Final laundry suggestions?
A: A washing machine is a significant use of water - some models use 50+ gallons of water per load - so spread out your laundry use to avoid hydraulic overload and allow time for your septic system to recover.
Other Q & A Discussions:
Cleaning Products
Personal Care Products
Kitchen Products
Better Than Septic
(844) 224-2782 (AQUA)
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