Laundry Tips for Septic Systems | Allen's Septic Tank Service 

You probably know that whatever you pour or flush down the drain will affect your septic system. But most people often forget that washing laundry can also affect the septic system's operation. Consider the following laundry tips to protect your septic tank.

1. Use Soaps and Detergents Correctly

Excessive detergents might end up in the septic system and harm useful bacteria. The bacteria consumes and breaks down organic waste to facilitate the safe disposal of wastewater into the drain field.

Several types of detergents are available, such as liquids, tablets, and powders. Most of these detergents contain chemicals like phosphorus and surfactants. Normally, people add enough water for the detergents to dissolve the phosphates and prevent any harm to the bacteria in the septic tank. But high amounts of phosphates can interfere with the septic tank's operation.

The most important measure is to use the right detergent dosage for each laundry load. But you can also choose liquid detergents instead of powder detergents. Powder detergents contain extenders and fillers that can clump and cause the accumulation of sediments in your septic tank. If the clumps are in the tank's inflow lines, blockages can occur. This can lead to wastewater and sewage backing up back into the house.

2. Limit Your Loads

Doing all your laundry in a single day can overload your septic system. If you wash all laundry at once, a lot of water will repeatedly enter the washing machine. The washing machine will release all this water into the septic tank. Some large tanks can handle large amounts of water at once, but most can’t.

If the septic tank can't handle the incoming wastewater, it will release the waste into the drain field. The result is contamination and clogging of your drain field. This problem is more likely to occur if you use an old septic system with relatively small tanks.

The solution is to spread your laundry loads throughout the week. The correct strategy is to adopt a consistent laundry schedule. But remember, the better approach is only to do full loads, even if that means waiting a few days.

3. Upgrade to a New Washing Machine

Outdated washing machines use lots of water for each load. This wastes water and puts a strain on your septic tank. The solution is to switch to an energy-efficient washing machine that lets you do laundry more frequently. The latest washing machines also adhere to specific energy-efficiency guidelines and use less water.

The only downside to new washing machines is that they cost a lot of money. But you can recoup your investment in the long run because of the low water bills and less frequent septic system problems.

4. Clean Lint Filters

A clogged lint filter can allow lint particles to get into the septic tank and cause clogging. Lint contains non-organic elements like threads from bedding, clothing, and polyester. Bacteria in the septic system can't process the lint, causing the material to settle at the bottom of the tank. Over time, lint combines with other non-organic materials to create indigestible layers of material within the tank.

Regularly clean the washing machine's lint filter to maintain the septic tank's capacity in the long run.

5. Brush Off Muddy Clothes

Before you put heavily soiled or muddy clothes in the washing machine, brush off the mud in a garbage bin or outside. If the grime and dirt enter the septic system, clogging will occur. The materials can also reduce the drain field's absorption efficiency.

If your septic tank has a problem, work with a septic tank professional to solve the problem. Allen's Septic Tank Service provides various septic tanks and sewer system services to commercial and residential buildings. Our team of experts will help to keep your systems operating correctly. Contact us today to schedule an estimate.