The term “septic-safe” may be applied to many products, and you’ve most likely seen many products with the label, yet what does “septic-safe” actually mean, and can you fully trust this label when you see it?
At Wholesale Septic Supply, we like to help homeowners, contractors, and property managers make better decisions when it comes to the long-term health of their septic systems. This means looking past marketing lingo and focusing on what actually keeps your septic tank operating at its best level of efficiency and effectiveness.
Let’s explore what “septic-safe” actually means, which products qualify for this designation, and how to avoid any misleading claims which could do more harm than good if you’re not careful.
In its simplest form, a septic-safe product is a product which will not disrupt, damage, or overload your septic system:
Septic-safe means it has to:
•Break down easily in water
•Not contain harsh chemicals or antibacterial agents which kill off essential bacteria
•Leave no residue which clogs, accumulates, or damages pipes and tanks
•Be biodegradable and non-toxic to your septic system’s sensitive microbial environment
Septic tanks use the naturally occurring bacterial composition within the tank to effectively break down waste solids. If you begin to introduce harsh chemicals, non-biodegradable materials, or highly absorbent paper products, you’re likely going to end up disrupting the delicate balance and process of your septic tank system.
This may lead to:
Clogs & backups
Imbalanced tank PH
Improper digestion of solids
Contamination of the drain field
Costly repairs, or even a full system failure
This is why understanding true septic-safe standards is so important.
Let’s examine what “septic-safe” should mean when it comes to popular products across different categories.
True septic-safe toilet paper should:
Break down efficiently in water
Leave little to no residue
Try to avoid any extra dyes, lotions, or synthetic fibers
Seeking out peace of mind? Choosing single-ply, or biodegradable toilet paper will help ensure the above is adhered to.
Be skeptical of “septic-safe” labels on cleaners which still contain the following chemicals:
Bleach
Ammonia
Quaternary ammonium compounds
Triclosan (an antibacterial agent)
Flushing to much of these ingredients will end up killing off essential bacteria in your tank and dismantle your septic system’s balance.
Wholesale Septic Supply Tip: be sure to take it easy on hard cleaners like bleach, using them only in moderation.
Many soaps, shampoos, and detergents may be labeled septic-safe, yet they still contain phosphates or antibacterial agents which will likely end up disrupting your septic tank’s microbial balance.
Seek out:
Low or no-phosphate formulas
Mild, plant-based ingredients
No antibacterial claims
HE (high-efficiency) approved for reduced water waste
Many flushable wipe brands will claim to be “septic-safe”, yet most flush-able wipes are not, even if the packaging says otherwise. Even the "biodegradable" flushable wipes will often not break down fast enough.
Wholesale Septic Supply Tip: Toss wipes, feminine hygiene products, or any other product besides toilet paper in the trash, not your septic tank.
Some additives will claim to be “septic-safe”, and perhaps some are. Yet your septic system is designed to work completely fine without the need for any additives. You'd be much better-off spending that money on a pumpout every 5 years or so than spending it on additives every month.
It’s important to note that the term “septic-safe” is not regulated by the EPA, or any national standard for that matter. Simply put, this means any manufacturer may choose to label their products as “septic-safe”, when there’s actually no safe-use criteria or set standards applied to the term “septic-safe”.
Certain “septic-safe” products (which are not actually septic-safe) may end up causing the following:
Killing bacteria in your tank
Adding harmful chemicals to your leach field
Accelerating solid buildup or scum formation
Clogging drains or increasing the number of backups
Prior to purchasing any product labeled “septic-safe”, consider the following:
•Is it biodegradable?
•Does it avoid bleach, ammonia, or antibacterial agents?
•Will it break down quickly in water?
•Has it been used successfully in septic systems over time?
If it passes these standards, awesome! If not, it may be time to look for a more suitable alternative.
Q: Is biodegradable the same as septic-safe?
A: No, not always. A product may be labeled as “biodegradable”, yet it can still contain harmful chemicals which may upset your septic tank’s delicate bacterial balance.
Q: Can I use bleach in a septic system?
A: Just be conservative. Think about what actually goes into your septic system; a mop bucket of cleaners/bleach water dumped down the drain might have been better off being dumped outside in the grass, as too much bleach and other harsh cleaner agents can cause disruption to bacterial microbes.
Q: What happens if I use non-septic-safe toilet paper?
A: Using a toilet paper which is not septic-safe will likely increase the frequency of required pumping of your septic tank. Try to choose a rapid-breakdown toilet paper, or a single-ply toilet paper, or just have your tank checked out a bit more frequently.
You work hard to ensure your home is safe, sound, and operating at its highest level of efficiency. By following these tips listed throughout this post, you’ll be taking the right steps in order to keep your septic system running at its best levels of performance for many years to come. Feel free to browse through our wide array of septic related products below. We look forward to working with you soon!
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