What's Safe to Put in Your Septic System? Essential Oils, Drain Cleaners, and More
King's Services
Keeping your home clean is crucial for your overall well-being. However, homeowners with septic systems in Winnipeg should exercise more caution with their cleaning agents. Many are turning to more natural or homemade cleaning solutions such as essential oils, while others wonder what drain cleaner is safe for septic systems.
As the top choice for
septic inspection in Headingley, Manitoba, our team at King's Services has all the answers.
How Cleaning Solutions Affect Septic Systems
Here's a quick refresher on how septic systems work to help you understand how cleaning solutions can affect them.
The waste from your home flows into the septic tank, where naturally occurring bacteria act on it to break down the organic material. Over time, the waste will largely turn into liquid, flowing into the drain field and through the earth, leaving clean water to enter the groundwater system.
Cleaning solutions containing harsh chemicals upset this process. They are usually strong enough to decimate the population of beneficial bacteria in your septic tank, but it doesn't end there. The chemicals also find their way into the leach field, polluting the groundwater and causing damage to the environment.
So, by using
septic-safe cleaning agents, you're protecting your septic tank and the environment.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Drain Cleaner
The bacteria in your septic tank are vital in purifying the wastewater and breaking down accumulating sewage, sludge, grease, and fat. Certain chemical-based cleaners will kill these bacteria, which could increase the frequency of blockages and septic problems.
What To Consider When Choosing a Drain Cleaner
Ingredients: For septic tank purposes, you should never use a drain cleaner containing bleach, ammonia, or phosphates. These harsh chemicals will destroy your tank's bacteria and corrode your pipes. Natural cleaners work well in addressing most septic tank problems. However, the type you should use depends on several other factors. Ask a professional like King's Services to be sure before purchasing anything.
Type of Septic System: The type of septic tank you have affects its size and pH levels. Typically, you can use one of three natural cleaners: acids, bases, and oxidizers. However, you should determine your system's pH level before using any natural cleaner. Check the levels with a pH-level meter. Alternatively, have septic tank specialists like King's Services over for quick, affordable, and accurate readings of your tank's pH levels.
Your pipe's construction also matters:
- Acidic cleaners remove rust and corrosion from metal pipes but destroy older pipes.
- Bases, like lye, remove grease and fat without damaging PVC or copper but destroy aluminum pipes.
- Oxidizers, like bleach, are often chemical-based. They're great at clearing certain clogs but will severely damage weak metal pipes and rubber components within your system.
Environmental Impact:
Besides being conscious about water usage, you might also want to consider the impact of cleaning solutions on your local ecosystem. For the sake of your lawn and the well-being of your community, avoid chemical drain cleaners. They're bad for the bacteria in your tank and everything else.
Local Ordinances: Always read labels for ingredients and look for warnings. Some cities also have laws governing the installation and maintenance of septic tanks, including how frequently they should be inspected and what materials and methods homeowners and technicians can use to clean and maintain them.
Are Essential Oils Safe for Septic Systems?
The answer is yes! Most essential oils are great at killing germs on surfaces throughout your home, but that's where it ends. Unless you're pouring large containers of essential oils down your septic system, there's no risk to the beneficial bacteria in your septic tank.
Essential oils in normal cleaning solutions will kill viruses, bacteria, and mould on all surfaces, including wood, stainless steel, aluminum, and more. By the time the solution flows to the septic tank, it's already too diluted to change the composition of the tank. The organic nature of the oils also means the active enzymes will degrade long before reaching the leach field. Thus, they can't contaminate the groundwater.
Common Types of Essential Oils for Cleaning Your Home
Citrus Oils: Lemon and orange oils have refreshing scents that can cut through unpleasant odours. They are also great at disinfecting surfaces and cleaning grease. You can use them while cleaning all surfaces, ranging from wood to carpets.
Tea Tree Oils: Tea tree oils are some of the most popular types of essential oils. Their enzymes can kill various microbes, including mould, bacteria, and viruses. When cleaning your sinks, countertops, toilet bowls, and bathtubs, diluting tree oil in a spray bottle can do the trick. Avoid contact with the unadulterated form of these oils to prevent blistering on your skin.
Lavender Oils: You probably hear about lavender oils when the topic is aromatherapy. However, they also have antibacterial and degreasing properties. Try adding some into the mix when washing clothes or dishes.
Eucalyptus Oils: Eucalyptus oils can kill all kinds of germs. They are especially great for households with allergy sufferers because they contain enzymes that help eliminate dust mites. Mix the oil into the cleaning solution during laundry or when mopping wooden floors.
Pine Oils: Pine oils are another fantastic choice for wood floor cleaning solutions. They kill bacteria and fungi that may cause warping. Additionally, these oils tend to leave a glossy finish on hardwood floors, making them a fantastic choice to work with.
Safe Drain Cleaners for Your Septic System
Commercial Products
Countless products are safe for your septic tank and won't damage the bacteria. However, depending on their material type and condition, some may damage your pipes. Ask professionals like King's Services for help if you aren't sure.
Home-Based Techniques
The following methods may clear a clog without using harmful chemicals:
Boiling water down the drain. This may effectively clear clogs of soap scum and grease without damaging your pipes or bacteria. However, if the clog is more severe or from a more solid mass, such as wet wipes, you'll need a plumber.- Vinegar and baking soda. This works almost as well as commercial cleaners for organic clogs without adverse consequences. A solution of 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar seems to be the perfect ratio.
Mechanical Methods
A plunger is a great tool for clearing most minor clogs, but plumbers will use one of two methods for more stubborn clogs:
A mechanical auger or drill is the traditional method for clearing stubborn blockages from pipes. It uses a screw-like head on a long tube powered by a motor. The plumber threads it through the pipes to bore through everything from clumps of diapers to tree roots.- Hydro jetting is a modern method that unclogs drains using pressurized water. It's effective, great for the environment, and safe for even the most sensitive pipes. It can even extend the life of your septic system.
Other Benefits of Using Essential Oils as Cleaning Agents
Improved Indoor Air Quality: Traditional cleaning products release harmful fumes, irritating the respiratory system and worsening allergies. Even in products that mask the fumes with attractive scents, individuals living with allergies may still endure discomfort after using these products. Essential oils, on the other hand, do not trigger any such reactions. On the contrary, they tend to leave your indoor space smelling fresher and more alluring.
Cost-Effective Cleaning Solution: Choosing essential oils and other septic-safe products is a sure way to save money. You can make an effective cleaning solution at home with a few ingredients.
Safe for Your Landscape: Harmful chemicals in traditional cleaners escaping into the immediate environment can hinder your landscaping efforts, while essential oils can boost your results. This is welcome news for those who love to garden.
Harmful Chemicals to Avoid in Cleaning Products
Not all cleaning products are bad for your septic system. You only need to know which ones to avoid. Ideally, you'll want to avoid those containing the following:
- Chlorine. A few ounces of this powerful chemical can kill large populations of bacteria in your septic system.
- Ammonia. You'll find this harsh chemical in glass cleaners.
- Phthalates. Manufacturers use phthalates to add fragrance to their cleaning products, but these cause harm to aquatic life. They can also upset the endocrine system.
- Triclosan. This chemical is common in antibacterial cleaning agents. It is toxic to humans and animals.
Preventing Septic System Clogs
Avoid Certain Materials
- Flushable wipes. Even if they have the term 'flushable' on the package, wipes don't dissolve. They build up in your pipes, causing severe blockages.
- Kitty litter. Many varieties of kitty litter include clay to manage the smell and aid in clumping. It is almost impossible to dislodge from your pipe system.
- Coffee grounds. Coffee grounds won't dissolve in water. They easily accumulate to clog your pipes.
- Dental floss. The floss doesn't decompose and may wrap around components in your septic tank to cause problems.
- Disposable diapers. Diapers cause major problems when they inevitably clog your pipes. The same applies to dryer sheets.
- Latex. No latex products break down, which is why they also cause problems for marine life in larger bodies of water.
- Biodegradable paper. Paper towels and tissues are biodegradable. However, if you flush enough of them, they'll still cause blockages.
- Medication. Some prescription drugs and medicines don't fully dissolve. If they leak into the surrounding water, they'll introduce toxic chemicals to the drinking water and cause many other problems.
Work with Your Plumber to Protect Your Pipe System
The best protection for drain systems is being proactive. Install screens or drain covers to prevent hair and food particles from clogging your pipes. Alternatively, schedule an annual inspection for your plumbing and septic system to catch issues early, keep drains clear, and clean and empty your septic tank as needed.
Call King's Services for Septic Tank Help
Do you want further guidance on how to keep your septic system ticking along nicely? We are always happy to help. Our team can answer all questions you have concerning your septic system. Don't hesitate to contact us to determine how long a septic inspection takes or learn more about the signs of septic system trouble.
Call King's Services today at
431-244-4966 to schedule a consultation.
