The Septic Diet: 7 Things You Should Avoid Feeding Your Septic System

By Shelley Frost

October 08, 2024

Do you flush it and forget it? That's a risky move when your home uses a septic system for waste disposal. Flushing or draining the wrong things could leave you in a stinky predicament.

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Avoid Putting These Things in Your Septic System

Your septic tank relies on a delicate balance of bacteria to break down waste. Putting the wrong thing into your septic tank can affect the balance, kill bacteria or fill it with solids that don't decompose well. Keep this list of what not to put in a septic tank handy to keep your system healthy.

1. Trash of Any Kind

The only solids you should put into your septic tank are human waste and toilet paper. Other solids can cause clogs and backups throughout the system. Be careful to avoid flushing any of these items:

Flushable wipes
Feminine hygiene products
Cotton swabs
Paper towels
Diapers
Cigarette butts
Kitty litter
Coffee grounds

2. Chemicals

Almost any chemicals you put down your drain or into your toilet can kill the microorganisms your septic tank needs to function properly. Examples of chemicals you shouldn't introduce into a septic tank include:

Traditional chemical-based cleaning products
Chemical drain cleaner
Paint
Paint thinner
Solvent
Pesticide and herbicide
Bleach
Gasoline

If you use chemicals for certain activities, find different ways to dispose of them. When it comes to cleaning your home, look for natural or DIY options that skip the harsh chemicals.

3. Grease, Oil or Fat

Even if you put grease, oil or fat down the drain in liquid form, it can set up inside the plumbing system. If the greasy substances stick to the walls of the pipes, they can slow your drains and cause bigger clogs. Inside the septic tank, they often cause buildup because they're difficult for septic tank bacteria to break down.

4. Food

Large pieces of food create excess solid waste in the septic tank, but even the food you put through your garbage disposal can cause issues. Despite being ground by the disposal, the food still adds solids to the tank that can take a long time to decompose. Use your garbage disposal sparingly if you have a septic tank.

5. Antibacterial Soaps

Any products with antimicrobial properties could potentially damage the good bacteria in the system. In addition to hand soap, many automatic toilet cleaners include antibacterial ingredients. If these products wash into your septic tank, you could end up with too much solid waste in the tank due to a lack of bacteria to break it down. Choose soap that isn't antibacterial, and use gentle items, such as white vinegar, to clean your toilet.

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6. Septic Tank Additives

This might surprise you, but it's best to skip specialty products marketed as septic tank additives. While these products might tout fabulous outcomes, they often do more harm than good. They lack scientific evidence to show that they actually work. Some of them harm the bacteria in your tank, which disrupts the natural waste breakdown process. It's also possible for them to contaminate groundwater and corrode the tank. If you keep your tank healthy, you shouldn't need any extra help.

7. Excessive Water

Another surprising item on the list of what not to put in a septic system is too much water. You might think any amount of water is fine because it won't clog the lines, but too much liquid could overload the system. Excess water could also affect the balance of microorganisms and bacteria in your septic tank. That can prevent the waste from breaking down properly, which could create waste buildup. Some ways to reduce how much water enters the tank include:

Installing high-efficiency toilets
Using flow-restriction showerheads and aerators on faucets
Shortening showers
Running water only when you need it
Adjusting the washing machine water level to the load size
Waiting for a full load to run the dishwasher or washing machine
Spacing out showers, washing laundry and washing dishes to avoid a large influx of water at once
Fixing leaky faucets and toilets quickly
Draining pools and hot tubs away from your septic tank

Being aware of what you put into your septic system keeps it working well and prevents clogs and backups. Ensure your family members know what not to put in a septic system as well.

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