Each load of laundry uses nearly 20 gallons of water, which can quickly overwhelm a home septic tank. Many detergents also include ingredients that can kill off the bacteria that process solid waste, potentially leading to clogged pipes and sewage backups. If your home has a septic tank, below are a few things you should know about doing laundry.

How to Choose a Laundry Detergent

Many manufacturers produce detergents specifically designed to work with your septic system. These products are labeled as septic safe and leave out many chemicals that can kill beneficial bacteria or contaminate your drainfield. Fabric softener and other additives usually aren't biodegradable, so they may leach into the drainfield and nearby streams.

When shopping for detergents, look for biodegradable products that don’t contain dyes, artificial brighteners, parabens, or phosphates. As a general rule, powdered detergents tend to have more fillers and additives than liquid soaps.

Bleach is a powerful disinfectant, so even small amounts can decimate the bacteria inside your tank. Adding a little vinegar, borax, or baking soda to the laundry will achieve similar results without compromising the efficiency of your waste disposal system.

Washing Your Clothes Safely

The washing machine is likely the most water-hungry appliance in your house, so avoid doing too many loads in one day. Washing just five loads of laundry can dump nearly 100 gallons of water into the septic system. This can overwhelm the drainage system and fill up your septic tank or cause your drainfield to flood.

Washing a load of laundry every few days will give your septic tank a chance to process the wastewater. Modern washing machines also give you the option to wash smaller loads without wasting water or using excess electricity.

If your septic tank is overflowing or the pump isn’t working as well as it should, call in the experts at Around The Clock Pumping in Alaska. They’ve been serving homes and businesses throughout Anchorage, Kenai Peninsula, and Mat-Su Borough for over a decade and pride themselves on providing expert attention and 24-hour availability to each of their customers. Visit the website for more on their services, or call (907) 345-9126 to schedule a septic cleaning.