Septic systems are environment-friendly, safe ways to treat wastewater. But they require a lot of maintenance and upkeep.
Those who have septic systems are always on the hunt for ways to keep their wastewater treatment facility in the best shape it can be. One question many ask is: Is baking soda and vinegar safe for septic systems?
That’s what we’re here to find out.
Why Baking Soda and Vinegar are the Safest Options
We now know how harsh chemicals can have a bad effect on the environment. So we’re always on the hunt to find more natural, biodegradable alternatives.
Baking soda is one of the best. Vinegar is another great option.
They’re safe to use, as well as inexpensive. Together, they make one of the best all-natural homemade cleaners for virtually everything in your kitchen and bathroom.
You can use it on sinks, toilets, and bathtubs. You can even pour it down the drain to prevent clogging and clean it from the inside.
Another great benefit of the baking soda and vinegar mixture is that it doesn’t affect the good bacteria in your pipes.
Septic systems thrive on that good bacteria because it’s what breaks down the wastewater and helps separate it into the 3 layers. The good bacteria is a major player in the treatment of wastewater.
Chemical cleaners, such as bleach, kill off the good bacteria. As a result, the entire septic system forestalls, and problems start occurring.
Some of these problems are pipes start clogging and backing up, and the presence of bad odors. Furthermore, these chemicals find their way through the outlet pipes and into the soil, polluting it.
Not only is bleach bad for the septic system, but it can cause health problems for you and your family. Bleach and other synthetic chemicals are harsh on the skin because they contain toxic chemicals and irritants. They can also pose a risk to your health if they come in contact with your eyes, or are frequently inhaled or ingested.
Baking Soda and Vinegar Mixture
For an easy, homemade, all-natural cleaner that gets rid of dirt, grime, and bad smells, try this recipe.
You’ll need ½ cup of vinegar, a ¼ cup of baking soda, and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Mix them together and place the mixture in a clean spray bottle.
The Science Behind It
The acidity in the vinegar helps eliminate scum build-ups and sticky gunk. It also gets rid of mold in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room.
It binds with the baking soda to create a chemical reaction that eliminates stains and smudges. Vinegar and baking soda work as great antiseptics to clean out the bad bacteria lurking in your kitchen and bathroom, leaving surfaces sparkly clean.
What Are Septic Systems?
While big cities and towns revel in the luxury of centralized sewer systems, rural areas don’t have that luxury.
They have something better, a septic system.
Septic systems are self-contained, underground structures where wastewater is treated.
Traditionally, these systems manage waste coming from kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. This is done with the help of certain elements of nature, and recently, a helping hand from technology.
They have many advantages over sewer systems, as being more economical, require a simpler installation process, and they’re less expensive.
3 Main Parts of a Septic System
Standard septic systems consist of 3 main parts, all working together to collect, treat, and break up wastewater.
A Septic Tank
This tank is watertight and made from polyethylene, fiberglass, or concrete. It contains an inlet pipe which takes in the plumbing water from the house. There’s also an outlet pipe to take out the water and deliver it to the drainfield.
When wastewater reaches the septic tank, it’s separated into 3 layers. Everything that’s lighter than water, as oils and grease, float to the top and form a layer known as ‘scum’. Things that are heavier than water fall to the bottom and form a layer of sludge.
These 2 layers remain within the tank. Bacteria that are naturally found in wastewater start to break down the solids. Those that can’t be broken down any further remain in the tank until they’re pumped out.
The middle layer is, in most part, purified wastewater. This is what flows out of the outlet pipe and into the drain field. Outlet pipes have an effluent filter to keep the wastewater from escaping before it’s separated.
A Drainfield
Buried under the ground at a depth of 1 – 3 feet, drain fields are composed of several shallow trenches lined with unrefined sand or gravel. These 2 elements act as natural, environment-friendly filters which help in the process of wastewater treatment.
There are perforated pipes that run over the trenches and disperse the wastewater over them. The holes allow the wastewater to seep out of the pipes slowly and at an even rate.
Keeping Your Septic System Running Efficiently
Regular maintenance of your septic system is critical in order for it to run smoothly and prevent any problems. Here are the main steps to keeping your septic system in tiptop shape.
- Regular inspections of the septic tank are crucial to check the levels of both the sludge and scum which should be pumped routinely to maintain the smooth flow of the wastewater through the tank.
- Effluent filters should be adjusted and cleaned once or twice a year to prevent clogging.
- Outlet pipes must be frequently cleaned.
All these steps, on their own, may not be enough to take care of your septic system. A fantastic, easy and natural way to sustain its health and longevity is by using baking soda as a cleansing agent. The best part is that it’s as effortless as cleaning your toilet.
A Quick Recap
Septic systems rely on a delicate balance between good bacteria, a smoothly flowing drainage system, and regular check-ups and inspections.
This is why using natural ingredients to clean your home is the best way to keep it toxic-free. It’s also the best way to keep septic systems decontaminated and safe.
Once that mixture finds its way down the drains and into the pipes, it’ll eventually flow into the septic tank. By the time it’s in the tank, it’ll be good for the wastewater treatment process since it’s made from all-natural, non-toxic ingredients.
So, if you were wondering, is baking soda and vinegar safe for septic systems? Well, now you know the answer to that!