How to Use Household Items for Cleaning That's Safe For Your Septic System
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Alternative Cleaning Products That Won't Mess Up Your Drainfield.
Alternative Cleaning Products
Some cleaning products can be harmful to your septic system. Septic systems are biological systems for the treatment of wastewater; the tank contains bacteria that slowly but surely digest the sludge. These bacteria are sensitive and can easily be upset by chemical products. The soil in the drainfield contains microorganisms which are also sensitive to harmful chemicals and these chemicals can pass through the soil polluting our ground and surface water. The best approach to keeping a septic system healthy and protecting our environment is to take care what goes down the drain, and not neglect periodic pumping and inspection of the system.
Ingredients to keep on hand:
Baking soda
Borax
Vinegar
Baby oil
Pure soap flakes
Phosphate free dish soap
Salt
Lemon juice
Washing soda
Recipes:
All purpose cleaners:
• Dissolve 4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 litre warm water. Add lemon juice to cut grease.
• Mix œ cup vinegar and 1 – 4 cups of warm water. Kitchen cleaner:
• Mix white vinegar with Œ tsp of dish soap in a spray bottle.
Oven cleaner:
• Mix equal parts baking soda and salt. Add enough water to produce a paste; apply and scrub with a scouring pad.
Disinfectants:
• Mix œ cup Borax with 4 litres of hot water. This is a bleach alternative.
Drain Cleaner:
• Pour œ cup baking soda down the drain. Follow with œ cup white vinegar. Cover and let sit for 15 minutes. Flush with 2 litres of boiling water.
• Pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain weekly to melt grease that may be building up. Scouring Powders:
• Baking soda and scouring pad.
• Equal parts vinegar and salt.
Toilet bowl cleaners:
• Make a paste of Borax and lemon juice – let stand and then scrub.
• Sprinkle a few tablespoons of baking soda and scrub with a brush. Add a few drops of lemon for freshness.
Tub / Tile Cleaner:
• Mix Œ cup baking soda and œ cup white vinegar.
Hand Cleaner:
• To get paint or grease off your hands rub with baby oil, wipe dry and wash.
Laundry detergent:
• Use 1 cup pure soap flakes or pure soap powder and 3 tbsp washing soda.
(June, 2005)
Some cleaning products can be harmful to your septic system. Septic systems are biological systems for the treatment of wastewater; the tank contains bacteria that slowly but surely digest the sludge. These bacteria are sensitive and can easily be upset by chemical products. The soil in the drainfield contains microorganisms which are also sensitive to harmful chemicals and these chemicals can pass through the soil polluting our ground and surface water. The best approach to keeping a septic system healthy and protecting our environment is to take care what goes down the drain, and not neglect periodic pumping and inspection of the system.
Ingredients to keep on hand:
Baking soda
Borax
Vinegar
Baby oil
Pure soap flakes
Phosphate free dish soap
Salt
Lemon juice
Washing soda
Recipes:
All purpose cleaners:
• Dissolve 4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 litre warm water. Add lemon juice to cut grease.
• Mix œ cup vinegar and 1 – 4 cups of warm water. Kitchen cleaner:
• Mix white vinegar with Œ tsp of dish soap in a spray bottle.
Oven cleaner:
• Mix equal parts baking soda and salt. Add enough water to produce a paste; apply and scrub with a scouring pad.
Disinfectants:
• Mix œ cup Borax with 4 litres of hot water. This is a bleach alternative.
Drain Cleaner:
• Pour œ cup baking soda down the drain. Follow with œ cup white vinegar. Cover and let sit for 15 minutes. Flush with 2 litres of boiling water.
• Pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain weekly to melt grease that may be building up. Scouring Powders:
• Baking soda and scouring pad.
• Equal parts vinegar and salt.
Toilet bowl cleaners:
• Make a paste of Borax and lemon juice – let stand and then scrub.
• Sprinkle a few tablespoons of baking soda and scrub with a brush. Add a few drops of lemon for freshness.
Tub / Tile Cleaner:
• Mix Œ cup baking soda and œ cup white vinegar.
Hand Cleaner:
• To get paint or grease off your hands rub with baby oil, wipe dry and wash.
Laundry detergent:
• Use 1 cup pure soap flakes or pure soap powder and 3 tbsp washing soda.
(June, 2005)
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