When it comes to laundry detergent it’s important to be mindful of what type you’re using in your septic system.
With the variety of detergents available in the market it can be easy to overlook the fact that some of them may not be safe for use in septic systems.
In this article we’ll discuss the different types of laundry detergent and what to look out for when choosing one that’s safe for your septic system.
Understanding the Components of Laundry Detergent
All laundry detergents contain active ingredients chemical compounds that make up the cleaning power of the detergent.
These chemicals come in various forms – enzymes surfactants and builders.
Each of these ingredients has a different function.
Enzymes:
Enzymes are proteins that speed up the chemical reactions required for cleaning.
They help break down proteins fats and starches which make it easier to remove dirt from fabric.
Surfactants:
Surfactants are chemicals that reduce the surface tension between two substances such as water and soil.
This helps to lift dirt and stains from fabric and suspend them in the water so they can be rinsed away.
Builders:
Builders are chemicals that help to soften water allowing detergents to work better.
They also help prevent minerals in the water from binding with the detergent and making it less effective.
Types of Laundry Detergent
Generally speaking there are two types of laundry detergent: conventional and high-efficiency (HE).
Conventional detergents are the most common and can be used in any washing machine.
They are also more affordable than HE detergents.
On the other hand HE detergents are specifically designed for use in high-efficiency (HE) washing machines.
They are more concentrated than conventional detergents so you need to use less of it.
Is All Laundry Detergent Safe for Septic Systems?
The answer to this question is not so straightforward.
Some laundry detergents are safe for septic systems while others may contain ingredients that could damage your system.
Conventional Detergents
Conventional detergents can usually be safely used in septic systems as long as they don’t contain any ingredients that could harm the bacteria in your septic tank.
These include chlorine phosphates or optical brighteners.
High-Efficiency Detergents
HE detergents are usually safe for septic systems as long as they don’t contain any of the potentially harmful ingredients mentioned above.
However it’s important to note that because of their high concentration you may need to use less of them than you would with conventional detergents.
Conclusion
It’s important to be mindful of the type of laundry detergent you’re using in your septic system.
Conventional detergents can usually be safely used as long as they don’t contain any potentially harmful ingredients.
HE detergents are usually safe too but you may need to use less of them than conventional detergents.