SEPTIC Q & A: KITCHEN PRODUCTS

"As a septic professional, I'm 
often asked what products
are safe for septic use"

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 kitchen products that are intended to be rinsed down the drain during normal use

KITCHEN PRODUCTS

Q (to Jacque): How much water is used in the kitchen?

A: With sinks, dishwashers and garbage disposals, approximately 20% of your home's water usage is attributed to the KITCHEN.

Q: What kind of products go down the drain in a kitchen?

A: So many! Of course there are hand soaps, dish detergents and rinse aids, plus all-purpose cleaners, disinfectants, oven cleaners, degreasers and even DIY cleaners like baking soda and vinegar.

Q: Are dishwashers safe for septic systems?

A: Yes. The volume of water from normal dishwasher use should not be a problem for a septic system in good working order. Most modern dishwashers use just 6-10 gallons of water each load.

Q: Can dishwashing products harm the septic system or dispersal field?

A: Under normal use, the amount of detergents, soaps and rinse aids entering the system is low and diluted enough that these products should NOT harm the beneficial septic bacteria.

Q: Do you recommend liquid or powdered dishwashing detergent?

A: Either. Today's dishwashing products - in tablet, liquid and powder form -are formulated and sized for use with modern appliances. Look for biodegradeable, phosphate free, bleach free, fragrance and dye free formulas.

Q: You mentioned oven cleaners.

A: Oven cleaners contain very harsh chemicals that can have a very detrimental effect on septic systems and these products SHOULD NOT be rinsed down the drain. Instead, sprinkle salt on drips then scrub using baking soda and scouring pads. Dispose with paper towels in the garbage.

Q: Any other kitchen tips?

A: Avoid putting F.O.G. (Fats, Oils & Grease) down the kitchen drain! It's just terrible for septic systems AND pipes. If your pipes become clogged absolutely DO NOT use a degreaser! Degreasers disperse layers of grease - both in the pipes and IN THE SEPTIC TANK. This can cause very serious damage to your dispersal field, including clogging. 

CLICK to see a creative
way to manage kitchen grease!

---

Other Q & A Discussions:

Personal Care Products 

Laundry Products

Cleaning Products

---

Better Than Septic

(844) 224-2782 (AQUA)

www.BetterThanSeptic.com

© 2017 Better Than Septic. All rights reserved.

SEPTIC Q & A: CLEANING PRODUCTS

As a septic professional, I'm often asked 

what products are safe for septic

Are your cleaning products harming your septic system?

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 cleaning products that are intended to be rinsed down the drain during normal use

CLEANING PRODUCTS

Q (to Jacque): Let's discuss household cleaning products!

A: Sure, with different household surfaces, it's not surprising how many cleaning products are available in the marketplace. Chemical cleansers, disinfectants, biocides and even homemade solutions can all have an effect on septic systems - in fact MANY CLEANING products are on the "Dirty Dozen" list for septic systems, so extra attention is required when using these products.

ALWAYS read the labels

Q: Can cleaning products be harmful to a septic system?

A: Absolutely. Septic systems are vulnerable to failure caused by user error, and knowing what CAN and CANNOT be put down the drain is essential. Harsh chemicals can harm or even destroy beneficial septic system bacteria which are necessary to break down solids.

Q: Is it possible to safely use cleaning products on septic?

A: Yes. Most household cleaners are safe when applied according to product labels. Always read product labels and follow the directions for use and dilution strength.

Q: What do the labels mean?

A: CAUTION means the product will have little effect; WARNING means the product should be used sparingly; and DANGER means the product should be used very seldom or even eliminated.

Q: What is a common mistake?

A: Overuse or misuse of a cleaning product: many products require dilution before use - meaning they're too strong to be used directly from the bottle. Again, READ THE LABELS.

Q: What should someone do if they overdo it?

A: My slogan is: "The Solution to Pollution is Dilution" - if you think you've used too much of a cleaning product, simply add more water to your septic system. Running the faucet for 10 minutes will help.

Are your cleaning products safe for septic?

Q: What are some septic friendly homemade solutions?

A: White vinegar is a very effective cleaner for most household surfaces. Lemon juice is also a natural wonder due to its acidic and natural disinfectant qualities. And baking soda is a great cleanser and deodorizer.

Q: Anything final thoughts?

A: Disinfectants and other harmful chemicals, including bleach, pine-scented cleaners, rug cleaners and floor wax, should be used sparingly and infrequently. And, disposing household chemicals down the drains can have a negative impact on your septic system and should be avoided. 

Other Q & A Discussions:

 Laundry Products

Personal Care Products

Kitchen Products

---

Better Than Septic

(844) 224-2782 (AQUA)

www.BetterThanSeptic.com

© 2017 Better Than Septic. All rights reserved.

SEPTIC Q & A: LAUNDRY PRODUCTS

As a septic professional, I'm often asked 

what products are safe for septic use

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".

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. 

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)

www.BetterThanSeptic.com

© 2017 Better Than Septic. All rights reserved.

SEPTIC Q & A: PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

As a septic professional, I'm often asked 

what products are safe for septic use

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 personal care products that are intended to be rinsed down the drain during normal use

PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

Q (to Jacque): What are "personal care products"?

A: Personal care products (PCPs) include hand and body soaps, hair products, toothpastes, sunscreens and lotions, deodorants, cosmetics and even fragrances.

Q: Are PCPs safe for septic systems?

A: Generally speaking, any product that you would use on your body is not going to harm your septic system.

Q: What types of soaps are best?

A: Mild hand and body soaps with no or low fragrance are the best. Soaps labeled "antibacterial" are the most harmful to septic systems.  

Q: Should antibacterial soaps be used?

A: I don't recommend the use of antibacterial soaps. There is no evidence that antibacterial soaps help to avoid illness or infection. In fact, use of these products can actually kill the healthy bacteria in a septic system.

Q: Do you recommend liquid or bar soap?

A: Both. There is no distinguishable difference between regular bar and liquid soaps... just be sure to steer clear of products with MICROBEADS!

Many states have banned microbeads

Q: What are "microbeads"?

A: Microbeads are micro-sized plastic particles that have been added to thousands of toothpastes and face and body scrubs. These tiny plastic beads are too small to be removed by a septic system, so they pass freely into the soil and aquatic environments.

Q: Any other washing and bathing suggestions?

A: The use of strongly fragranced products, bath and body oils, and salts, like Epsom, can detrimentally effect a septic system, so I always caution homeowners on the use of these products.

Q: And your final words?

A:  ALWAYS follow the directions and use all PCPs in moderation, and remember that it's NEVER a good idea to dispose of unwanted products down the drain.

Other Q & A Discussions:

 Laundry Products

Cleaning Products

Kitchen Products

---

Better Than Septic

(844) 224-2782 (AQUA)

www.BetterThanSeptic.com

© 2017 Better Than Septic. All rights reserved.