laundry detergent

Morning all - this is my first post here:) was wondering what those of you with septic tanks use for laundry detergent? I've lived rural since august and still havent got it right

cheers

Nikki

HI PHR and welcome to the site I use eco store laundry liquid and I have a septic tank...

Cheers
Kate

I use either ecostore or bee laundry powder.

I use eco store or next generation. Same for dishwashing and the eco store toilet cleaner is the best ever.

I use Next Generation. Nice lavender smell, too.

Hi PHR!
I was told don't buy anything that isn't biodegradable, so if it doesn't state that on the pack at the supermarket - I don't buy it. Apparently it can kill the natural bug in the septic tank that causes the waste to break down.
Also something to watch for - excuse me guys!!!![][] - is santitary items. We keep all toilet rolls and wrap these in toilet paper then stuff into a toilet roll then burn.
I have to tell visitors and overstayers this all the time though.
I use next generation mostly for laundry, but it's other cleaners in the bathroom and kitchen as well.
It's a bit of an eye opener eh!

anything!

Old fashioned septic tanks are pretty robust. it takes a lot of antiseptic to degrade an old single chamber septic. I wouldn't trust the new fancy electric sludge chamber types to be so robust given they're designed as finely balanced works of art in order to work efficiently.
Bin Inn 5kg bags of cold water basic detergent. Does the job and the septic still works.

I'm talking about new septic tanks though - we had an old one that was installed in the 30s - it was a 44 gallon drum! and it leaked!

But no matter how old the system or whether or not we're on a septic tank, surely products that are good for the environment are good for our way of life anyway?

I use persil as I can buy i in big bags for a front loader, the tank can only be 17 years old, so I guess counts as a modern one, and I guess it is aerated as it has an electric feed to it. Aparently it lasted 14 years before it needed cleaning out (according to the last owners who used similar types of powders)

PHR welcome have fun learn things we like others have old one and use cheapest for front loader 15years no problem hope it all goes well for you

Hi,Many of the packets of Laundry Powder that have amounts to use on the packet do not take into account if you are washing in rain water it is much softer and less powder is needed, than if you are using well/bore water, which is harsher. Moderation is the key. Cheers.

Welcome Nikki

As Kiwi has pointed out, the older septic tanks are pretty robust and as most cleaners, detergents and soap powders today are biodegradable, it really won't matter what you use.

I've lived rural for most of my adult life (which is quite a long time[:0]) and certainly long before people got concerned about these things, and the septic dealt with everything that was thrown at it. The problems always started long before it to the tank - i.e. idiots chucking fat down the sink or putting sanitary pads and tampons down the toilet.

Cheers,
Ronnie

... and baby wipes are not good for septic tanks either . They don't break down at all . Our son is in the 'septic ' business so sees all the business (so to speak ) that goes down the line [}]. Most cleaning products have a safe for septic tanks note on the label ( if they are of course) .

P.S DO NOT use the phone directory as toilet paper . He once had to go to a gang house to unblock the toilet and that is what they had been using - seems they were up to ' B ' in the directory !! [:0]

Hi, PHR and welcome. We also use ecostore... just a thought here... even though the tank can handle 'whatever you throw at it' if it's an old one, I wonder what's leaching out at the other end if you're not using biodegradable??

Andrea
Oxford