Hey cabin Fever1 a septic question concerning laundry.

Washing soda is sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), baking soda is sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Washing soda is a pretty strong alkaline substance, baking soda is much less alkaline. Washing soda is stronger for cleaning, but baking soda is safer to work with. Washing soda is much harder to find in stores than baking soda.


I did the opposite - I grew up in the country, and when we lived in town and the power went out, I shrieked at DH that he couldn't flush the toilet! Duh. Took me a couple of years to learn that on city water, you don't lose pressure unless power's out at the pumping station. We also had a gas water heater, so we even had hot water during outages, but in my *infinite wisdom,* I insisted we take duffel bags to the locker room at our employer's office building and shower there...

Diana

Well, i'm glad i read this thread - we've only used it once as our house is new.
So, we definitely won't in the future.

I don't have a septic at this house but we have started using the seventh generation
laundry and dish soap no phospates
grey water and septic safe

hole foods has it as well as out local menonite bulk store

we have a front loading washer (the frigidare i belive it is was the least expensive front loader around) uses 20 -25 gallons a load and about 3 table spoons of soap
boxes of soap are lasting 4-6 months for a family of 5

and yes i do laundry but i don't fold

keljonma:

To the list you might add septic tank friendly toilet paper. Some dissolve/break up better than others. As a general rule I suspect the higher the cost, the lower its dissolving ability. As a test fill a glass jar about 3/4rds full of water and put in some of the toilet paper. Put on lid and shake for a couple of seconds. The most friendly paper will be that which readily breaks up into small pieces. Am told the Charmain (sp?) brand stays in a wad.

I don't even flush toilet paper into the tank. I just have a small wastepaper basket between the commode and vanity. I line it with a plastic grocery bag. When full I simply pull out the bag and put it in with the trash to go to the local collection point. If I had a burn barrel it would go there.