Is Oxiclean Safe For Septic Systems? – Let’s Find Out!

The question of the day is, “is OxiClean safe for septic systems.” There are certain cleaners that contain materials that are toxic for septic systems.

It is a good question to ask because certain detergents don’t dissolve properly and can therefore lead to clogging in the septic tank. 

This clogging is due to accumulation.

It is best to be well-informed concerning this matter so as to avoid such problems in the future.

Luckily for you, this writer will be taking you through cleaning agents that are safe for septic systems.

So to answer the question, certain types of OxiClean are safe for septic systems, while there are some that aren’t. Ascertaining the safety of the septic systems depends on the OxiClean used.

Is Oxiclean Safe For Septic Systems And Why?

“Is OxiClean safe for a septic system?” is the question that obviously brought you here.

But it’s important to note that over the years, specific products of OxiClean have been released to combat specific problems in our household. 

For example, OxiClean Max Force is for tough laundry stains.

Then OxiClean White Revive is specifically for whitening and laundry stains, while OxiClean Versatile Stain Removal is for basically any surface or purpose. 

These different varieties of OxiClean all have different compositions depending on the purpose it serves. 

But there is one major thing they all have in common.

They all are made of the product of an additional reaction between sodium carbonate (soda ash) and hydrogen peroxide. 

You might be familiar with hydrogen peroxide in its pure form because it is a very popular bleaching agent.

Bleach generally is bad for septic systems because of how harsh it can be. Luckily for us, the reaction between soda ash and hydrogen peroxide reduces this harshness.

It, therefore, makes it dissolve readily in water, unlike other cleaning agents. 

So, is OxiClean septic safe? Yes, it is not only septic safe, but it is also environmentally friendly.

Materials To Avoid Using In A Septic Tank And Why?

We are all aware that OxiClean is indeed safe for septic systems, but that doesn’t mean other detergents are.

They are a lot of toxic cleaners we use without being aware of the adverse effects it has on our septic systems. 

So before we jump into anything, this writer would like to discuss the certain material that should be avoided in our cleaning.

You will need to avoid these materials so as not to damage your septic systems.

Item #1: Effect Of Toxic Cleaners

I know you are wondering why something as little as a cleaning agent affects the configurations of septic systems.

Certain detergents don’t fully dissolve in water which in turn can cause clogging due to accumulation. 

Also, some certain bleaches are too harsh for the pipeline of the septic systems, causing irreparable damage.

But the worst part of using the wrong detergent is that it can kill the bacteria in the septic systems. 

And the bacteria are important why? It’s because they are responsible for breaking down the solid part of the sewage.

When this happens, it allows for the liquid to separate and be drained away properly. 

Note: It is important to note the fact that the wrong detergent can also cause environmental pollution.

Item #2: Bleach And Other Chemicals

Based on all that has been said above, you now know why you have to avoid using certain materials. 

Avoid materials that contain any petroleum-based chemicals, chlorine bleach, or any toxic bleach, for that matter, ammonia.

Since bleaches are supposed to kill germs, when released into the septic systems, they would automatically kill the useful bacteria in the tank.

Tip: Bleach is not only bad for septic tanks, but they are also bad for the environment. 

Item #3: Phosphates And Surfactant

We should also be careful about phosphates and surfactants in the sewage system. 

It is really important because surfactant is one of the major ingredients in detergents.

It is used to improve the wetting and foaming capabilities of detergents, which in turn enhances their cleaning abilities.

The presence of phosphates in detergent has a much different use. It is used to make hard water soft and aid the suspending filth in the laundry water. 

Even with the benefits of both compounds, they can both have negative effects on our health and the environment.

It is advisable to try to make use of phosphate-free detergent so as to prevent eutrophication. 

Note: Though we can't truly avoid having phosphates in our septic tanks, it is best to try to reduce it as much as possible.

Item #4: Garbage

Also, materials that are meant for your garbage shouldn’t go into your septic system.

Some people are fond of flushing weird things down the toilet or pouring things inside the drain. 

They do this all in the name of clearing evidence or just the lack of understanding.

Those materials can lead to a series of damages in the septic systems, clogging being the least of them.

So avoid letting things like tampons, wipes, or general garbage go into the septic systems.

Also, when stuck with a clogged pipe linked to the septic system, it is best to try to unclog it without using chemicals.

You can make use of a drain snake, or in some cases, even hot water would do just fine. 

Tip: Conduct biannual maintenance of the septic system to avoid unnecessary problems.

Safest Detergent For Septic Systems

Everything used in the house always has a way of ending up in the septic system so we have to be careful what we use for our household cleaning.

Now that we have established what should be avoided concerning the septic systems, it is time to discuss whether the detergent is safe enough. 

As we all know, septic-safe detergents can be really expensive sometimes. And this may leave us no choice but to find other affordable replacements.

In our quest for that, we sometimes end up choosing coats over quality, ending up with the wrong detergent.

Below are a few options that are safe for septic systems:

Option #1: Biodegradable Detergents

We need biodegradable and safe detergents that would cause no harm at all to the septic systems.

There is a very wide range you can select from. We have environmentally friendly laundry detergent that has specifically been marked septic safe. 

So when getting your detergent, look for the ones that specifically have septic safe on it.

In case you can’t find those or have a very strict budget, there are some other eco-friendly brands like Ecozone and Bio D.

Oxiclean is also safe, specifically the Arm and Hammer, plus OxiClean Odor Plaster Laundry Detergent. It is not only safe, but it is also highly biodegradable and very affordable.

Option #2: Bleach Replacement 

Hydrogen peroxide is also a good replacement for bleach. It gets rid of tough stains and is also biodegradable.

It doesn’t have any adverse effects on the environment and it is very cheap and easy to get.

There are other replacements for bleach that you can have lying around like vinegar and lemon, baking soda, and citric acid. 

Tip: Hydrogen peroxide can be used not only for cleaning your surfaces but also for your laundry.

A lot of people assume that just because their water leaves their house, their septic system is okay.

But what they do not know is that there are a lot of things that could go wrong. This is why it is important to check out your septic system now and then.

Conclusion

We have finally gotten to the end of this article. And I sincerely hope I have been able to answer the question that brought you here in the first place, “is OxiClean safe for septic systems?”

The fact that you were curious enough to ask the question shows you have an awareness of your environment. 

Getting the right detergent and knowing how to maintain your septic system would automatically be easier for you.

Always make use of safe, environmentally friendly material that won’t affect the configurations of the septic systems.

I hope this article has been helpful. Thank you very much for your time and patience. Stay safe!