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What items and chemicals would be better NOT flushed down the toilet and into a private septic system? What kinds of items may damage the septic tank or leach fields?
Can we dump "just a little bit"? Are condoms, dental floss, or food scraps a problem for the septic system? This document explains how to extend the life of the septic system by being careful about what goes into it.
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This document is a chapter of Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems an online book on septic systems.
BETTER NOT FLUSH - Stuff which would be better not to flush down a toilet or into the septic system
Condoms won't clog a pipe but like some other debris, because they are of modest size and are quite flexible, but condoms are (usually) not bio degradable. So we listed condoms, or other latex products such as latex gloves above as "never flush".
A condom in the septic tank will probably join other debris in the tank's floating scum layer, and will be removed at the next tank pump-out. Of course, if the septic tank outlet tee baffles are missing, the condom will join other floating debris on its way out to clog the drainfield, so ask your septic pumper to check the condition of the septic tank baffles when the septic tank is next pumped.
Cotton swabs (Q-tips(R)) have been known to clog a drain or two - not biodegradable, though trivial in volume
Dental floss - is not biodegradable, though trivial in volume
Food scraps - increase the solids load in the tank and so may be slow to settle into the sludge layer or scum layer.
For more details on the effects of a garbage disposer or grinder on septic systems see GARBAGE GRINDERS.
Fats, oils, grease - waste or un-wanted cooking oil (other than incidental oils and fats from washing dishes and pots and pans).
Ground food from a garbage disposer - which adds to the solids load in the septic tank and increases the needed pumping frequency.
Hair - animal or human hair combings do not biodegrade in septic tanks and can speed clogging of septic filters.
Laundry detergent - avoid using more than the necessary amount of powdered laundry or dishwasher detergent, or better, use liquid laundry
detergent.
Excessive amounts of powdered laundry detergent often fail to dissolve in the washing machine.
More detail on the effect of washing machines on septic systems and tips on avoiding problems can be read at WASHING MACHINES
Tampons - which are basically not biodegradable cotton are advised against in the "Don't Flush" list above. In fact a couple of tampons are not going to clog up a drain line
nor ruin the septic tank. However they'll still be there years later when the tank is pumped. In a large household where many of these
items may need to be disposed-of, wrapping them in toilet tissue and placing them in the garbage is a better destination.
Un-wanted cooking oil, cleaners, and the like should not be emptied down your drains. So we listed them above as "never flush".
Washing machine lint which speeds the clogging of septic systems can be kept out of the septic tank and drainfield by using
a washing machine lint filter. Don't flush your clothes dryer lint into the septic system.
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