Bleach or Vinegar OK to use in laundry for Septic Tank?

Question

I am curious about whether it is alright to use bleach in the laundry. All my pipes go into the septic system.
And how about vinegar? I have been advised to use vinegar in my laundry to get rid of cat pee odor.
I also use a commercial septic bacteria (not Rid-X) (no backups or problems since I started using it) - so would hate to have the bacteria killed.

Answer 1

The care and feeding of septic systems manual we received from our county health department had big warnings against chlorine bleach and straight disinfectants. Even before moving to the country I was a fan of white vinegar, and keep gallons of the stuff on hand.

Back when I was washing diapers (yes, I'm oldfashioned) I used borax (antibacterial), which definitely neutralized the baby pee odors: I don't know what it would do for cat urine. A less expensive alternative to baking soda would be washing soda (same stuff, but caky and probably not as pure) which also claims it will not harm septic systems. Again, washing soda neutralizes many odors and is antibacterial.

Although I tend to be anti-bleach as a philosophy, I could be persuaded to use it as a last-ditch effort.

Finally, I don't know why you have to wash something impregnated with cat urine, but I would try to do something about the problem: either a clean, convenient litter box or a trip to the vet to see if there is an underlying bladder or kidney disorder.

Answer 2

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RE:
Bleach or Vinegar OK to use in laundry for Septic Tank?
I am curious about whether it is alright to use bleach in the laundry. All my pipes go into the septic system.
And how about vinegar? I have been advised to use vinegar in my laundry to get rid of cat pee odor.
I also use a commercial septic bacteria (not Rid-X) (no backups or problems since I...

Answer 3

Baking Soda Septic Tank

Answer 4

No bleach as it will kill the good guys in the septic system. Vinegar OK. Cat urine is especially nasty and often only enzyme cleaners will work. First try pour baking soda all over the stain...moisten the stain first. Rub in baking soda, let sit an hour or so and then wash in detergent.

I'm not sure vinegar will have any effect, bleach neither.

Try the baking soda twice and if not successful, get a bottle of enzyme cat urine eliminator......but don't put the clothes in the dryer until you are sure the stink is gone. Dryers set stains and sometimes stink.

Answer 5

From:
http://www.askthebuilder.com/B117_Septic_Tank_Dos_Donts_Maintenance.shtml

"Avoid introducing any unnecessary solid particle into your plumbing system. This includes things like coffee grinds, nut shells, dental floss, kitty litter, female hygiene products of any kind, cigarette butts, sand, gravel, etc. All of these things will fill the tank prematurely!

Do not plant trees anywhere near the drain field. the roots of trees will naturally migrate to the perforated pipes. These roots will completely clog the pipes! Natural grass cover is the best.

Do not park cars, drive over, or allow heavy trucks onto the drain field area. This will compact the soil and cut off the necessary oxygen required to help breakdown the wastewater.

Absolutely do not introduce paints (even latex!!!), solvents (gasoline, thinners, alcohol, etc.), varnishes, grease, cooking oil, pesticides, photographic chemicals, etc. into the septic system. These will kill the natural microbes that breakdown organic solid compounds in your tank!

Garbage disposers are fine but large food particles that pass through a sink strainer are bad. Disposers create a mush that the bacteria in septic tanks can handle. Large solid food particles can turn to sludge before they are broken down.

Avoid using septic tank additives. A healthy septic tank and drain field has everything it needs. The natural bacteria from our human waste gives the tank all the additives that are required. Extra oxygen is just about the only thing you can introduce that may help.

Don't pave over the drain field. Paving materials prevent natural evaporation of moisture. The grass cover mentioned above sucks water from the drain field.

Avoid trying to repair or modify your septic system by yourself. These systems must be designed and engineered by professionals."

Answer 6

well once your septic tanks fill, the contents flow out into a leech field, where everything in the septic tank goes into the ground to continue decomposing. i'm pretty sure bleach kills grass, so if you did that, in a couple of years you would be able to tell exactly where your leech field is becasue it will be the place that has no grass. so no. it's not ok.

Answer 7

Neither of those should cause a problem. In fact vinegar should enforce the bacteria. Bleach will only kill the area that it comes in contact with. It doesn't grow, so it will only kill a very small area of bacteria. I like my whites very white, so I use both in my laundry and have never experienced a problem.

Answer 8

Vinegar is better for pipes and septic systems than bleach is. and better for the environment and cheaper.

Answer 9

eather should be fine for your septic vinigar should do no harm to the bacteria eather. Even the bleach should not really be a problem for the bacteria in normal household use quantities.

Answer 10

Ooh boy, what a head scratcher! I would say yeah to vinager on all occasions! Bleach maybe only once in a while.