Is this a myth? Re: Powdered Detergents

Kyle523Nicole

My MIL told me not to use powdered laundry detergent because it "builds up" in our septic tank and will ruin it and we'll have to have the whole tank replaced.

Is this a myth or should I really be using a liquid detergent with a septic tank?  We have well water (not hard - no rust/calcification) as well... not sure if that matters.

prncsstp

I am in no way an expert - but here is my thought:

Weren't powdered detergents the only option for a long time before liquid detergents came out? And septic tanks have been around for a long time as well.... what did people with septic systems wash with before liquid detergents became popular??

I think you are fine with powdered detergent....

Kyle523Nicole

That was my thought too... I'm going to try to research this further lol!

Kyle523Nicole

So far, all I can find are comments that powdered detergents have fillers/plastics/clays/phosphates that can clump together (not completely dissolve) and clog the system...

I want to make the EFF Blog's CD detergent but I'm not sure where to look to see if Borax, Oxyclean & Washing Soda have any of those "fillers" in them... ?

susangilchrist

I have made the EFF detergent in the past, and had a hard time dissolving it.  I like to try to make sure to dissolve the detergent in the hot water before putting in diapers/clothes, etc.  I end up with white floating bits for some reason.  I use Tide for my diapers and clothes right now, and it dissolves easily.  

sweetky_06

Just lurking here. . .I was advised by the guy who pumped out our septic system not to use powder dish washing detergent or laundry detergent, because it can clump up and cause problems. We got our system pumped as part of the inspection when we bought the house and they had some septic issues.

I've stuck with liquid since we've lived here and have experienced no septic issues!

 

Kyle523Nicole

sweetky_06:

Just lurking here. . .I was advised by the guy who pumped out our septic system not to use powder dish washing detergent or laundry detergent, because it can clump up and cause problems. We got our system pumped as part of the inspection when we bought the house and they had some septic issues.

I've stuck with liquid since we've lived here and have experienced no septic issues!

 

Good to know.  I guess I won't be using that MYO laundry detergent on the EFF blog

lynn97

The fillers can cause problems. However, they aren't that common. One of DH's good friends is a master plumber and he personally uses powders. He said it was more of a problem years ago b/c the systems weren't built to handle it and the detergents were full of fillers (some still are). Have you noticed how most detergents have become "ultra" or "max"? Most companies started decreasing the amounts of fillers in their products a few years back which resulted in smaller packages and decreased this issue. We use liquid laundry detergent for our clothes but I use a powder for our CDs and we frequently buy powder dishwasher detergent. Most of the CD-friendly detergents are also eco-friendly/have minimal fillers so this is really a non-issue.  We've been using our powders for several years and have never had an issue.