Septic safe products and the ones to avoid

Implementing a septic system is not only an environmentally responsible choice for homeowners, but for many cottages or rural homes outside municipal sewage systems, it may be their only option. When having a septic tank, it becomes all the more important to be cautious of what you wash down the drain.

Here at AspenClean, we believe that a clean home should never come at the expense of your health, the environment, and your septic system. Below, we break down what it means for a product to be septic-safe, what products you should veer away from, and tips to help you choose the safest and most sustainable options!

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “SEPTIC SAFE”?

If you’re raised in a city, chances are you have little knowledge of Septic Systems. To answer all the questions you’ve never had, Septic Systems are an alternative drainage system for rural homes without centralized sewage piping. They bring waste and water from a home into a specialty septic tank that uses bacteria to separate waste from water. These tanks use perforated pipes, which then release the water into a patch of soil called a drain field. The drain field then naturally cleans the water using different layers of rock and allows it to return to the groundwater systems.

Septic Systems are a closed-loop system and contribute to the efforts of the Zero Waste Movement. Learn how you can shrink your own footprint and begin a Zero Waste journey.

WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE SEPTIC SYSTEMS

Septic systems are very common in rural areas, cottages, and households that aren’t connected to municipal sewage systems. These private sewage systems are much more durable and cost-effective if they are properly maintained. They also play a role in local ecosystems by supporting the microorganisms and bacteria that filter and treat the water. 

It is important to mention that septic systems are not designed to neutralize every chemical found in everyday cleaning products. If these harmful chemicals enter the septic tank, they risk killing the bacteria on which the system depends and can even contaminate groundwater. The chemicals that go down the drain don’t disappear and can have severe consequences for the surrounding environment.

EVERYDAY SEPTIC SAFE HABITS

Keeping your septic system healthy starts with making small choices every day. 

A good place to start is using high-efficiency toilets and washing machines. When using a HE washer, it is important that you use the right amount of HE laundry detergent. Using too much detergent can create excess suds, leave residue, and add product to your wastewater system. We would recommend that you use a natural laundry detergent that can not only be used in HE machines, but also one that is made without any harmful chemicals. The same can be said for all cleaning products in your home!

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS TO AVOID

Water Softeners

Water Softeners can harm the bacteria within the septic tank and release greater concentrations of waste and grease into the drain field.
Oil, Gasoline, Paint Thinners, Solvents, and Pesticides
These materials are likely to poison your septic system, thereby threatening the water supply.

Cooking Grease

Thick cooking grease, like that found after making bacon, can solidify in the septic tank and clog incoming or outgoing pipes.

Bath Oils

Although these bath oils do feel nice, they have the potential to clog the drain field or to coat the waste found within the tank, making them impossible to break down.

Kitty Litter

Most kitty litter is clay-based and can clog the pipes.

CLEANING PRODUCTS TO AVOID

Antibacterial Cleaners and Disinfectants

Antibacterial and disinfecting products are not necessary for most domestic situations (they were designed to sterilize hospitals) and will kill beneficial bacteria that help your septic tank function.

Chlorine Bleach

Too much bleach can kill or disrupt the bacteria within a septic tank. It is also toxic to aquatic life. If your septic tank is located close to a natural water system, there is a high chance that bleach from your wastewater is being directly released into the groundwater through your septic system. Learn what oxygen bleach powder is and how to use it, and use this oxygen bleach as a septic-safe bleach alternative.

Chemical Drain Cleaners

Unclogging the drain with these materials will kill the bacteria in the tank and necessitate costly repairs.

Products Containing Methylisothiazolinone

Methylisothiazolinone is a synthetic chemical used in consumer products for its antimicrobial properties. It is most commonly used in cleaning products as a synthetic preservative. Not only is it a common allergen, but several studies have also shown that it is toxic to aquatic life.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN SEPTIC SAFE CLEANING PRODUCTS

100% Natural Ingredients

Your septic tank does not filter out every chemical or toxin before the wastewater returns to the environment, which is why we recommend choosing natural cleaners that are made up of plant- and mineral-based ingredients. Products made up with these ingredients are designed to break down safely and thus are the best choice. AspenClean’s septic-safe cleaners & detergents have been formulated with this very thought in mind.

Biodegradable Formulas

Cleaning products built around biodegradable formulas are engineered to break down more easily in comparison to persistent synthetic chemicals that will accumulate over time. This same idea should be put into practice across various other aspects of life. 
Unsure where to start? Give our non-toxic dishwasher detergent guide a read to gain a better understanding of what to look for in a safer formula.

Third-Party Certified

To ensure you aren’t a victim of greenwashing, look for third-party certifications from trusted organizations such as the Environmental Working Group, Ecocert, or other reputable certifiers.

Here at AspenClean, we pride ourselves on our ability to develop products that are third-party verified and made with safe ingredients. Doing so helps reassure you that the products going into your homes and down your drains prioritize your health and that of the planet.

SEPTIC SAFE CLEANING PRODUCTS LIST

Septic systems are delicate. Just two gallons of chlorine bleach can kill off the functioning bacteria in a 1,000-gallon septic tank.

While a small amount of the wrong chemicals can wreak havoc on your system, most all-natural cleaners are septic safe. Use non-chlorine, non-ammonia, non-antibacterial, non-toxic, and biodegradable, natural cleaning products to help keep your septic system in working order.

The following everyday products are safe to clean and naturally disinfect your home with:

• Distilled white vinegar
  
• Lemon juice
  
• Baking soda
  
• Borax
  
• Salt

SEPTIC SAFE BATHROOM CLEANERS

Bathrooms are the one room in a house where people will most often reach for the harshest chemical cleaners. Cleaning your bathtub, sink, and shower doesn’t necessarily mean that you need chlorine bleach, ammonia, or synthetic fragrance, though. Our natural bathroom cleaner isn’t just a safer choice for septic systems, but it also cleans effectively without exposing you to any harsh chemicals.

Below are a few options if you’re looking to use everyday natural cleaners:

• White Vinegar - The natural enzymes will break down soap scum and odors.
  
• Baking soda - The rough texture is perfect for making bathroom fixtures shine.
  
• Borax - mix ½ cup with water for superior disinfecting strength on surfaces.

TOILET CLEANERS SAFE FOR SEPTIC SYSTEMS

Toilet bowls are one of the spots where people are sure to use heavy-duty cleaners to ensure that all the germs are removed! However, these conventional cleaning products contain ingredients like chlorine bleach, hydrochloric acid, and synthetic fragrances that can not be processed by septic systems. Rather than using these products, we would recommend proven natural cleaners.

Here is a list of natural, septic-safe cleaners for your toilet:

• Baking soda - An inexpensive and effective scouring agent. Pour half a small box of baking soda into the toilet bowl and let it sit overnight. In the morning, flush the mixture before scrubbing with a toilet brush.
  
• White Vinegar - The acidity of household vinegar is helpful for breaking down hard water stains in the toilet bowl. Pour a cup of vinegar into the bowl and let it sit overnight, then scrub in the morning. Just don’t use vinegar and baking soda together, as they’ll cancel each other out and become ineffective.

SEPTIC SAFE CLEANING WITH ASPENCLEAN

Founded on the belief that a clean home shouldn’t compromise your family’s health, septic system, and the environment, we designed cleaning products, like laundry detergent and dish soap, that are made with natural, biodegradable ingredients. The natural DIY road is a safe one, and you can even look at some of our resources, like how to clean areas of your home with your own natural cleaning products.

These same cleaning products are used by our cleaning teams, and if you don't feel like doing the cleaning yourself, leave it to us and book a service today!

Using septic-safe products is more than just protecting your tank. It is about being considerate about what you are putting into your water, the surrounding soil, and the world around you. Regardless of your plumbing system, choosing safer products is the right place to start reducing your household’s environmental impact.