Excessive amounts of powdered laundry detergent often fail to dissolve in the washing machine. Avoid using more than the necessary amount of powdered laundry or dishwasher detergent.In the laundry room serving a residential apartment building such as shown in our photo (left, Bronx, NY), asking residents to follow these suggestions can help prevent sewer drain clogging. How to minimize the possible clogging or other effects of laundry soaps on the septic systemĪ private septic system tank and drainfield can be protected from clogging due to excessive use of detergents.Īnd even if a building's wastewater is carried to a public sewer there may be concerns with detergent clogging in the drain system. Recommended dishwasher & laundry detergents: are discussed in detail separatelyĪt DISHWASHERS vs SEPTICS where we discuss recommended detergents and also the effects of phosphates & detergents on the environment. Solid clumps of detergent into the septic tank speed clogging of the system and in severe cases can even block a Sometimes we find that dry powder clothes washer soap appears as clots and clogs in the system - usually because the homeowner is pouring in too much detergent and is not following the manufacturer's instructions. What laundry detergents or soaps should we use in a Clothes Washing Machine connected to a septic tank or to a Graywater System? These chemicals may be serious contaminants of ground water and surface water in the environment. Surfactants are what make detergents effective in lifting soil particles off of a surface (a dish in the dishwasher or a shirt in the washing machine). However many if not most washing machine (and dishwasher) detergents contain phosphates or nonylphenol ethoxylate surfactants. The volume of detergent from a residential clothes washer entering the septic system is so low as to be very dilute when it enters the septic tank, dilute enough that it is not going to harm the septic tank bacteria at normal levels of residential dishwasher use.Ĭlothes washing machine detergents do not make a high level of suds inside the machine.They rely on surfactants, high water temperature, and time spent agitating the contents of the clothes washing machine to clean them. Does Washing Machine Detergent Harm the Septic Tank or Septic System Drainfield? Or backing up into the building (nonetheless you need septic field investigation and repair)īelow we discuss steps you can take to minimize the possible effects of extra wastewater loads caused by washing machines, and then we discuss the effects of detergents and soaps when operating a clothes washer connected to a septic system or drywell. Drainfields near failure: If the absorption system is showing evidence of failure, such as effluent coming to the surface of the property.Drainfield capacity limits: If the absorption system (leach field, drainfield) has limited capacity to absorb effluent.The volume of water from home washing machine use should not be a problem with a normal septic system in good working order.Īs we discussed at Dishwashers, in some conditions you should avoid emptying washing machine discharge into the septic system: Does a washing machine overload and harm the septic system? MINIMIZE EFFECTS of LAUNDRY WATER VOLUME on SEPTIC.MINIMIZE EFFECTS of LAUNDRY SOAPS on SEPTIC.BEST LAUNDRY DETERGENTS for SEPTIC SYSTEMS.WASHING MACHINE IMPACT on SOAKBED or LEACH FIELD.Washing Machine Draining into Septic System Article Contents We also provide an ARTICLE INDEX for this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need. the septic system:Ĭan we use a clothes washer or "washing machine" when a home is connected to a private septic system? What steps should be taken to protect the septic system from excessive water use or clothes lint or detergents? How to extend the life of a septic system. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.Ĭlothes washing machines vs. InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest.
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