Fabric Softener and Septic Tank

[chuffle]

I would like input from folks here...

I'm not a big liquid fabric softener person, but I do like the smell of liquid Snuggle on my bedspread. I also like the "feel" of the spread after a dose of LFS, something that I don't achieve with dryer sheets. I'm on a septic tank, and am cautious as to what I flush and send down the drains. I've read some negative issues about LFS clogging the leach field of the septic tank, causing problems. Also, I'm obsessive about the cleanliness of my washer, drying the gasket after use, leaving the door and dispenser drawer open, using only warm and hot water and mostly use powdered detergent, and doing a machine clean once a month. I would hate to start something that would cause goop at some point.

I would enjoy one dose of Snuggle every week or so (my dog sleeps on my bed, so I launder the spread weekly), but don't want to cause trouble down the line, both with the machine and the septic tank. Currently, I do not use LFS.

I would appreciate hearing thoughts about this.

Thanks loads,

Joe

 

[countryguy]

I am on a septic system also and have used liquid fabric softener (usualy Downy) for 20 years, 2-3 loads per week without a problem.  If your septic system is functioning correctly and breaking down the material before it gets into the septic bed, then you shouldn't have a problem.

 

Gary

 

[appnut]

Joe, when my parents lived in a house with a septic system, they ued Rid-X faithfully according to package directions to keep the organisms which are responsible for breaking stuff down in the drrain field. They never had any issues in the 18 years they lived in the house. Once it became rental property with renters not taking proper care of septic system, then it became an "issue" with maintenqance. And that house also had a dishwasher and a garbage disposer that aws used regularly. My mom always used FS in each load.

 

[yogitunes]

Every time I have my septic pumped.....they ask if I have my machine draining somewhere else.....auto washers are a big killer of useful bacteria.....and there may be opinions of difference......our local laws do not allow us to have a disposal anymore...it had to be removed....I miss that thing

but since I am running 5 machines....they are draining out on the lawn....which is brighter, darker and more plush than the rest of the lawn.....

but adding the RidX is very helpful.......I have a new house and am afraid of ruining it before its time also!.....some homes have a gray water tank system for washer usage

 

[polkanut]

Martin,

Do you mean to say that your local law prohibits a garbage disposal?  That sounds a bit like "1984" to me if that's the case. 

 

[appnut]

I believe garbage disposers are prohibited in New York city, at least the sale of new units to replace old, dead ones.

 

[yogitunes]

Yes....my new house did not have one, so I installed a new one, then came the addition of the extra bedrooms, and we had to update the septic to a bigger one...upon inspection of our plumbing and extra bathroom, the inspector told us to remove the disposer or we would not get the septic approval......I wanted to put it back in after everyone was gone, but the "partner" is taking their warning of ruining the system over time......believe me, if I could sneak it in, it would be here!

Once you get used to having it, its hard to break away!

also try to keep as minimal as possible of grease going down the drain, scrape it into the trash or use a paper towel to blot it out of the pans before washing.....this is something that does not digest in a septic system.....my system was only 4 years old when they replaced the tank, with all the grease and slime build-up it looked to be about 20

 

[polkanut]

Explain to your partner why a disposal is a good thing.  Since your plumbing & septic passed inspection, there's no reason why the inspector needs to come back, so I would also reinstall it.  Screw such a stupid rule!  My wife absolutely loves ours, and has already said that if/when our current unit dies, we're replacing it, no questions asked. 

 

[AZREOspecialist]

There is NO ban on garbage disposals in New York City! You people are silly... it is the apartment buildings themselves that ban disposals in their units due to the fact that the pipes in the building have too much built-up scaling and residue. They would clog if residents were grinding their food bits into the drain. Information is key - please let's not spread inaccuracies. GARBAGE DISPOSALS ARE PERFECTLY LEGAL IN NEW YORK CITY!

Are garbage disposals illegal in NYC apartment buildings?

Most prewars will say no to them.

www.brickunderground.com

 

[mattl]

In no way am I informed on the subject, but I seem to recall that adding a disposal to a septic system is like adding another person.  The tanks needs to be sized correctly.  We popped one in under my cousin's sink last fall and i strongly encouraged them to get their septic tank cleaned at that point.  Turns out they were on the verge of having issues- they had built the house 9 years ago, 5-6 people living there most of the time and the tank had never been cleaned.  It was getting to the point of backing up, the septic guy was amazed the toilets had not backed up.

 

I put a lot of stuff down my disposal, better there than in the landfill.....

 

[appnut]

ban in NYC

Sonny thank you for the clarrification. As there are so many multi-story and multi-family structures/apartment buildings in NYC, it might as well be city-wide ban. At least I remembered there is a ban of some kind.

 

[toggleswitch]

I believe garbage disposers are prohibited in New York city, at least the sale of new units to replace old, dead ones.

NYC and Toronto were the only cities in North America to PROHIBIT them. NYC has changed the law to allow them. NOT REQUIRED though as in some southern towns and states.

As far as liquid fabric softener goes I heard right from the septic tank "man" DON'T NEVER! NOT!

Douse a washcloth in it and put the cloth in the dryer if you MUST. Fakes scent is a poor substitute for (the smell of actually) clean.

 

[aquarius1984]

OK toggles we hear ya!

but some of us here like to use FS and its not strictly as you put it being a substitute for being clean,

I use it religiously yet have wonderfully clean washing.

As for the scent
Each to their own I say,,,,

 

[joe_in_philly]

There used to be a ban on garbage disposals in NYC, but it was lifted in 1997.

LOCAL LAW 71 OF 1997

 

[iheartmaytag]

Residential waste disposers are not limited in our local, but they now require commercial applications to install a grease trap in order to have one approved.