Your septic tank works because of good bacteria. They break down waste. Some things kill those bacteria. Other things just don’t break down at all.
Never flush these
- Wipes, even the ones that say flushable
- Paper towels
- Tampons and pads
- Diapers
- Dental floss
- Cat litter
- Medicine
Wipes are the big one. They don’t fall apart like toilet paper. They wrap around pumps and clog filters. We pull them out of tanks all the time.
Keep these out of the sink
- Cooking grease and oil. Let it cool, then put it in the trash.
- Coffee grounds
- Paint and paint thinner
- Lots of bleach or strong drain cleaners
What’s OK
Toilet paper is fine. Normal soap and normal amounts of cleaner are fine. A little bleach in a load of laundry is fine. The problem is a lot at once.
A simple rule: if it isn’t from your body or toilet paper, it doesn’t go in the toilet.
The Foster’s Team
Foster’s Septic, Maxwell, TX