Don’t worry. We here at Express Septic Services are not suggesting that you shouldn’t do your laundry. Rather, we are going to discuss below the importance of washing your clothes correctly when your home is on a septic system. Even though the system handles waste and wastewater, it is delicate, and the proper balance needs to be maintained so that the system does its job. Let’s talk about laundry, laundry detergent, fabric softener, and how all of this can damage the septic system.
How You Do the Laundry Is What Counts
When you are on a septic system, how you do the laundry is what counts. In other words, you need to take into account what your system can handle before you press the start button on the washing machine. For example, most people do all of their laundry in one day, washing several loads throughout the day. This can actually damage the septic system because it inundates it with wastewater that it does not have time to treat. The excess wastewater can also reduce the beneficial bacteria in the system.
In addition to the excessive wastewater, laundry detergents and liquid fabric softeners can also create problems with the system if they contain harmful chemicals. Unfortunately, many of the laundry products on the market, including stain removers, do contain harmful chemicals. These chemicals can kill the beneficial bacteria in your septic system which will cause the septic tank to fill more quickly. It is these beneficial bacteria that also treat the wastewater before it is introduced into the groundwater system. Who would’ve thought something as simple as laundry could be so damaging?
Ways to Save Your Septic System
As we mentioned above, we aren’t here to tell you that you can’t do your laundry. Rather, there are ways you can do your laundry that will save your septic system and cause zero harm. First of all, avoid doing your laundry in a day. Rather, space it out throughout the week so that you are doing only one load per day. This allows the drain field to treat the wastewater properly rather than flooding it.
Next, choose natural detergents, softeners, and stain removers that do not contain harmful chemicals that can destroy the helpful bacteria in your septic system. You may also find that you prefer these detergents because they are less irritating to your skin.
Finally, call Express Septic Services in Greenville, SC, today if it has been more than a year since your septic system has been inspected. Annual inspections make certain that the laundry is not damaging the system.