i am considering using the water from the washing machine and shower to the vegie patch, will the soap etc dilute or will it some how be obsorbed by the vegetables making them harmful to eat
2006-11-19 21:42:54 · 8 answers · asked by darrenparnis 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
In general, this is called gray water, and has been a time-honored practice. Lots of nutrition in soap and clothing dirt.
I'd watch out for the bleach, though, and you may want to check the soaps you are using.
My grandmother's kitchen sink used to drain out straight from a pipe into her backyard -- and it was the greenest, most beautiful patch of the lawn.
Using water from the toilet though is considered dangerous, because many diseases can be transferred through the feces.
If you are very worried, it might be best to just water the ornamental part of the garden.
2006-11-19 21:48:09 · answer #1 · answered by Madame M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think bacteria is more of a concern than the soap. You might be adding coliforms into your vegetable patch. The soap and detergent may harm the environment. Some lakes has become dead because of phosphate in detergents, but I believe most detergents are low in phosphates now. Soap and detergent can change the chemical composition in the soil. Soaps have a high pH and not all plants may like that. If you want to save water, use the bath water in the toilet. I some time use water from washing my vegetable in the garden.
2006-11-19 22:01:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is ok to wash the leaves but make sure the water doesn't get to the roots. Could harm the plants
2006-11-19 21:56:37 · answer #3 · answered by HM 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What a astounding thought to recycle water... I doubt it extremely is going to do any harm. I wash my automobile on the backyard each and all of the time with soapy water and the grass is wonderful. pay attention for bleach!
2016-11-25 20:56:23 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Soap diluted with water is actually healthy for the plants. They thrive on it.
However, it is illegal to dispose of gray water in the state of WA and AZ. I imagine it is also in other states. You may want to check up on that.
2006-11-19 21:52:13 · answer #5 · answered by Nikki 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a nice idea....trying to save water etc. but your vegetables will absorb any detergent from the wash. So your food won't be organic. So, I wouldn't do it if I were you.
2006-11-19 21:53:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here is a great article on using gray water.
Good luck
2006-11-20 00:24:11 · answer #7 · answered by Slimsmom 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes it will.... you are growing your own veggies to avoid pesticides and what not, and now you are thinking of giving the harmfull bacteria and everything which is in our washing detargents to your plants.
you can either kill your plants, or else end up with some health problems.
2006-11-19 22:13:17 · answer #8 · answered by nadezdha87 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋