If your house uses a septic system, you should know that there is a bit more extra care required vs. if you are using the city sewage system.

For one thing, you have to arrange for regular septic tank inspections, you must be on the lookout for problems with the unit and you should be using a toilet paper that is safe for septic systems.

So, what is the best toilet paper for septic systems? The 3 characteristics you should look for in septic safe toilet paper is biodegradable, recycled and/or septic safe. Any one of these traits are indications that the toilet paper product is safe to use in septic systems.

Why These 3 Types Of Toilet Paper?

The reason these 3 types of toilet paper are better for septic systems is because they tend to dissolve faster and with less water.

What Is Bad For Septic Systems?

There’s no doubt that if you maintain your septic system properly, you can avoid costly damage and keep your tank in good shape for several decades.

But in order to do that, it’s important to know what is considered “Bad” to put in your septic systems.

  • You shouldn’t put too much water into the system, it can easily overload it. That means diverting any water that may go to the drainfield of your septic tank (like from roof gutters). It also means using low flow toilets, faucets and shower heads. Also, if your home has multiple residents, it does mean that shorter showers and less baths would be better from everyone.
  • Be careful what you put down your garbage disposal. Too many solids from the disposal will only serve to create more sludge than necessary and decrease the lifespan of your tank.
  • Never pour any kind of fats down your garbage disposal – it will not only end up harming your water pipes but it will also harm your septic tank. Instead – let the fat solidify (put it in the fridge if you must) and once it’s solid – toss it in the garbage. Or, if you would like to recycle it, create your own suet by adding seeds and nuts for birds to the solidified fat.
  • Drain cleaners can destroy any of the good bacteria in your septic tank so please avoid these at all costs.

What Products Are Safe For Septic Systems?

The best cleaning products to use for your home which are safe for septic tanks are home made. Using ingredients like White Vinegar, Lemon Juice and Baking Soda – you can clean your house from top to bottom.

There’s a great article on TheSpruce.com that gives you multiple ways to use every day ingredients to clean your home and other uses as well.

However, there are commercial products that you can use – here’s a short list…

  • CLR Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover
  • Seventh Generation Dish Liquid
  • Bissell advanced professional spot and stain
  • Seventh Generation All Purpose Natural Cleaner

Some products will say that they are “septic safe” so look for that but note that not many products take the effort to put that information on their labels.

What Toilet Cleaner Is Safe For Septic Systems?

Again, home made solutions make excellent toilet cleaners which are also safe for your septic systems.

  • Sprinkle baking soda in your toilet bowl and scrub with a toilet brush.
  • White vinegar breaks up water stains. 2 cups are usually enough.
  • Lemon juice has a natural disinfectant and it smells nice.

If you want to use a commercial product, we can recommend Clorox� Toilet Bowl Cleaner but caution you to use it moderately.

If you have any questions about your septic systems, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-505-8570. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.