Laundry Rules for Septic System Owners
Homeowners often ask about what specific household cleaning products are usable with septic systems, including when it comes to doing their laundry. Taking good care of the septic system starts with understanding what’s being discharged into the system, and what effects different things can have on the system’s operation. One thing to know is that high-efficiency washing machine models actually discharge more water at one time, which can result in more groundwater saturation or partially block the system.
You may have specific questions you want answered in a laundry guide for septic systems in Cleveland, TX. Read on to find out about which products are safe to use with a septic system and which are discouraged, along with some general best practices.
Spread it out
One thing you can do is split up the laundry over the week rather than doing several loads in a single day. That’s because the latter approach may overwhelm the septic system. Space out the laundry loads, and only do full loads. The average load of laundry consumes 47 gallons of water, so spreading laundry duties out over several days will be less work for the septic tank. Avoiding overloading the system is a best practice to preserve your septic system’s operation.
Regular pump maintenance
One of the most important things you can do is have the septic tank pumped according to a regular schedule, usually once every two to three years. This is to avoid the excessive buildup of sludge and scum in the tank. When this occurs, it’s easy for clogging to follow, which can lead to premature failure and replacement of the leach field.
Pumping the tank is far less expensive than paying for repairs down the road. If you have more than four people in your household, it may be necessary to do septic pumping more than once every two years. Consult a trusted septic tank technician to find out how frequently you’ll require service.
Use liquid laundry detergent
Detergents come in many forms, including powders, tablets and liquids. Powdered laundry detergents can result in clumping and cause additional buildup of solids in the septic tank, followed by plugging the disposal area. The following detergents are recommended as the most compatible with septic tanks:
- Planet Laundry products
- Mountain Green Ultra Laundry Liquid
- Seventh Generation products
- Ultra Citra-Suds Natural Laundry Detergent
- Ecover products
- Fresh Start
We should also note that some detergents still contain phosphorus. This mineral is removed from wastewater, but excessive levels of phosphates can result in damage to the septic system’s operation. It can also lead to algal growth and pose harm to aquatic wildlife.
We hope these septic system guidelines for doing laundry in Cleveland, TX have proven helpful. When it’s time to bring in the professionals to deal with septic tank installation, maintenance and service, call Cleveland Septic. Our team of experts is second to none and will have your septic system operating at peak efficiency in no time. Contact us today for a free estimate and find out why our customers are always satisfied!
Categorised in: Septic System Maintenance