Warm boot recommendations please

[Guest]

Can anyone help, a friend at work is moving into a house with a septic tank and would like to know what sorts of green cleaning agents she can use in her new home.

 

Things like alternatives to bleach etc She doesn't think these can be used if you have a septic tank as the bleach kills the bacteria that break down the yuckky stuff in the tank

[Mrs Frugal]

Hi Debs,

 

I *think* the Ecover range is safe for use in septic tanks as they'd got one at a holiday cottage we stayed in a couple of years ago and they'd provided Ecover cleaners for use in the cottage so I assume they'd be OK.

[Louise]

You must not use bleach with a septic tank as it kills all of the nice bugs that break down your waste and you end up with a smelly tank that needs emptying too often if you can get the balance right it should not need emptying at all

 

Things like soda crystals are fine for using in drains etc if they are smelling instead of bleach and she will need to check labels for hidden bleach I think Kate is right about ecover but it would be wise to check the labels first

 

I share a septic tank with about 30 other hoses and I never use bleach but we are always having to get it emptied so some of the houses must be and I am the nearest so I get the stink when it needs to be emptied

[PurpleHen]

My Mum's cottage in Wales has a septic tank and it never needs emptying.

We have found there are quite a few cleaners that you can use. The thing to remember is that if you CAN use them with a septic tank, it will say so clearly on the bottle.

We use Ecover and occasionally Harpic, which states that it is safe for use.

 

We also try to remember not to tip anything outside down the drains such as water that has been used to wash paint brushes etc. Once you're in the habit it's fine.

[Guest]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I will pass it on

[Richard T]

For some do's and don'ts about doo-doos in a tank, you might want to show your friend this guide to cess pools and septic tanks from North Wiltshire Council:

 

http://www.northwilts.gov.uk/cesspools_and_septic_tanks.pdf

 

It says certain types of "oxygen based" bleach such as Domestos Oxy can be used.

 

 

Richard T

[Guest]

Thanks RichardT.

 

I will pass that on to her as it is currently holding up the purchase of her new home, as there was a debate as to whether there was a septic tank or not.