Septic systems represent a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly option to treat wastewater before it contaminates the soil or freshwater resources. Living in rural areas, this might be the only option available if you have no access to the municipal sewage system.
Yet, without the right products, your tank will stop functioning properly, until it fails. So, what is the best septic safe laundry detergent? And, how can you choose the right one for your household?
Our guide will provide you with the answer.
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- Best Septic Safe Laundry Detergent
- 1. Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets
- 2. ECOS Laundry Detergent Liquid
- 3. Meliora Cleaning Products Laundry Powder Detergent
- 4. Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder
- 5. Puracy Liquid Laundry Detergent
- 6. Dropps Sensitive Skin Laundry Detergent Pods
- 7. Seventh Generation Concentrated Laundry Detergent Liquid Free & Clear
- 8. Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Liquid Laundry Detergent
- 9. Arm & Hammer Liquid Laundry Detergent
- How to Choose the Best Laundry Detergent for Septic Systems
- Wrap Up
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Best Septic Safe Laundry Detergent
Having a functioning sewer system for waste management requires regular maintenance and the use of appropriate cleaning products. The wrong formula can do a lot of harm in the long run.
Septic systems rely on bacteria to break the waste and harsh cleaning products will kill those microorganisms. This is why choosing septic safe laundry detergents is crucial. Here are the best detergents for septic systems you can consider.
1. Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets
This innovative laundry detergent is made of plant-based sheets that leave no residue in your septic tank. It features a gentle and safe formula that contains no chemicals, bleach, parabens, phthalate, phosphate, or dyes, and the sheets dissolve in a few minutes.
Each sheet effectively removes dirt from your clothes with concentrated yet safe ingredients that safely remove all the stains. The chemicals are biodegradable, so they don’t clog your pipes or build up in your septic system. No measuring is required because you just add one sheet per load for clean and fresh garments.
If you’re looking for a hypoallergenic detergent, you might want to give this one a try. It doesn’t come in a plastic jug, so it’s an environmentally friendly space-saving option. Moreover, it doesn’t contain any synthetic fragrances, so it’s suitable for people with sensitivities.
Adding multiple sheets for a large load might lead to the buildup of undissolved sheets. So, you might need to tear them up first.
What We Like
➧ Environmentally friendly space-saving laundry sheets
➧ Suitable for people with allergies
➧ Don’t contain any harmful chemicals
What We Don’t Like
➧ Adding multiple sheets for heavily soiled clothes might result in some buildup
2. ECOS Laundry Detergent Liquid
This pH-balanced liquid detergent will be an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin. The safe plant-based enzyme-rich formula contains no parabens, phosphate, or bleach, and it’s a 100% vegan formula for environmentally conscious households.
Using this detergent will leave your clothes clean with no residue in your septic system. But that’s not all. This laundry detergent is made by a climate-positive company that uses 100% renewable energy, although the container is made of plastic.
This detergent is cruelty-free and the lavender scent will keep your clothes fresh. You might need to use more of the detergent to clean heavy-soiled clothes.
What We Like
➧ Safe cruelty-free vegan formula
➧ Contains plant-based enzymes
➧ Manufactured in zero waste factories with 100% renewable energy
What We Don’t Like
➧ You’ll need to use more detergent for heavily soiled clothes
➧ Comes in a Plastic container
3. Meliora Cleaning Products Laundry Powder Detergent
Thanks to this septic-safe detergent, you’ll have clean laundry without the harmful residue that causes your septic system to malfunction. It’s made of five plant-based ingredients that don’t harm the microorganisms while removing the dirt from your clothes. Moreover, it features a fresh lavender scent made of natural essential oil.
By offering a concentrated powder, you can use less of this zero-waste product for up to 64 regular loads or 128 loads of laundry in a high-efficiency machine. This detergent comes in a steel container and arrives with a steel scoop, so it’s eco-friendly.
But it’s heavier to ship and carry around. Once finished, you can refill your container with the extra detergent that comes in a paper bag.
The formula contains vegetable soap made using coconut oil, baking soda, and washing soda, so it’s safe for people with allergies. Nevertheless, you might need to use more of this product to clean heavily soiled clothes.
What We Like
➧ Plant-based formula
➧ Gentle on the skin
➧ Comes in eco-friendly containers
What We Don’t Like
➧ You’ll need to use more product for heavily soiled clothes
4. Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder
Unlike other powder detergents, this one is a low-sudsing product that doesn’t produce a lot of foam. It uses the power of washing soda and plant-based biodegradable cleaning compounds to remove the grime from your clothes without the clogging foam that can affect the function of your septic system.
This concentrated detergent is approved as an EPA safer choice for the environment and your skin. The fragrance-free formula is a good choice for your baby’s clothes and people with allergies, cleaning all the dirt without causing any harm.
While cleaning your laundry, the formula also removes dirt, grease, fats, oils, and bad odors from your septic system without harming the microorganisms. It’s even safe for hand washing, and you’ll receive an amount for 150 loads for an affordable price.
But, if you’re really concerned about saving the planet, this brand might not work for you. Although this detergent comes in a reusable container, it’s made of plastic, so it’s not 100% eco-friendly.
What We Like
➧ Low-sudsing fragrance-free formula
➧ Uses natural plant-based ingredients
➧ Safe for all fabrics, including your baby’s clothes
What We Don’t Like
➧ The container isn’t eco-friendly
5. Puracy Liquid Laundry Detergent
This gentle laundry detergent is specifically created for people with sensitive skin. It relies on plant and mineral-based ingredients to clean your laundry without clogging your pipes or affecting your septic system.
It’s a biodegradable detergent, which means it doesn’t leave any residue inside your system. It comes in a small bottle that is enough for 64 loads, so it’s not 100% eco-friendly, but the bottle is reusable. Many people prefer the fresh linen scent which leaves their clothes feeling fresh, but you can also opt for the fragrance-free formula.
A little goes a long way, thanks to the concentrated formula. But other options are more gentle on your fabrics.
What We Like
➧ Plant-based and mineral-based compounds to clean tough stains
➧ Concentrated formula
➧ Doesn’t leave a residue inside your pipes
What We Don’t Like
➧ Plastic container isn’t 100% eco-friendly
➧ Might be harsh on some fabrics
6. Dropps Sensitive Skin Laundry Detergent Pods
If you’re looking for the most convenient laundry detergent, this one will work for you. You simply toss the pod into your washing machine and it dissolves with no residue. These detergent pods represent an eco-friendly choice because they come in a recyclable box.
With a plant-based formula, these laundry pods remove the grime from your clothes without leaving a residue in your septic tank. They’re gentle on the skin and all types of fabrics. Moreover, the formula doesn’t contain bleach, dyes, optical brighteners, artificial scents, or phosphate, which can harm the balance of bacteria in your septic system and affect its function.
There’s no risk of overusing the product because the pods come pre-measured. But you might need to rinse your clothes twice using warm water because there might be some slimy residue inside your washing machine. Moreover, these pods cost a little more per load, compared to other options on our list.
What We Like
➧ Pre-measured pods
➧ Plant-based formula
➧ Come in an eco-friendly container
What We Don’t Like
➧ These pods are more expensive per load
➧ Might leave some residue in your washing machine if you use cold water
7. Seventh Generation Concentrated Laundry Detergent Liquid Free & Clear
If you usually have heavily soiled loads, this concentrated formula will work for you. It features a triple-enzyme formula that targets the toughest stains for up to 53 loads.
This detergent contains 96% plant-based surfactants, so it’s safe for your clothes and septic system. It’s also hypoallergenic because it doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances.
For those worried about their carbon footprint, this might not be the best choice because the container is made of plastic. Moreover, the numbers on the lid are hard to read, so you might overmeasure your product.
What We Like
➧ A concentrated plant-based formula
➧ Suitable for people with allergies
➧ The triple-enzyme formula works on tough stains
What We Don’t Like
➧ The plastic container isn’t eco-friendly
➧ You might overmeasure the detergent
8. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Laundry Detergent
Powered by the gentle fragrance of the lavender essential oils, this plant-based detergent with biodegradable ingredients will clean your clothes without killing the beneficial bacteria in your tank. It uses the power of enzymes to break down stains and dirt.
This detergent formula works for different fabrics and leaves your clothes smelling fresh. Moreover, the concentrated formula lasts for 64 loads per bottle, making it a cost-efficient solution.
Nevertheless, this detergent contains a small amount of Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone. These chemicals aren’t safe for the organisms in your septic tank in the long run. Some people are also allergic to them.
What We Like
➧ Uses natural ingredients
➧ Subtle and pleasant scent
➧ Gentle on clothes and skin
What We Don’t Like
➧ A small percentage of chemicals
9. Arm & Hammer Liquid Laundry Detergent
Some septic-safe detergents can be quite expensive, but this is a budget-friendly option that efficiently breaks down stains and dirt without damaging your septic tank. This affordable detergent will clean up to 128 loads with less water, delivering concentrated stain-fighting compounds that leave your garments clean.
It’s packed with odor blasters that remove body and pet odors and musty smells, leaving a fresh long-lasting scent. The detergent can handle the toughest stains even when you use cold water.
This might not be the safest product if you have sensitive skin because it contains some toxic chemicals and artificial fragrances. It also comes in a plastic container, so it’s not eco-friendly. Nevertheless, it does a great job of removing bad odors and stubborn stains that other septic-safe detergents can’t tackle.
What We Like
➧ Concentrated formula
➧ Tackles tough stains and bad odors
What We Don’t Like
➧ Comes in a plastic container
➧ Might not be safe for sensitive skin
How to Choose the Best Laundry Detergent for Septic Systems
When you have a septic system, there are a few features to look out for when choosing a laundry detergent.
Septic-Safe Label
Ideally, you should look for a product with a label that says that it’s a septic safe detergent. It shouldn’t contain harsh chemicals that can clog your septic system or harm the microorganisms that break the waste in your system.
A plant-based biodegradable formula works best because they don’t leave a toxic residue. Opting for a low phosphate level works best because this chemical is the main source of water contamination.
Eco-Friendly Product
In addition to using safe ingredients, you want to make sure that you’re using an eco-friendly product. Detergents that come in reusable and biodegradable containers are better for the environment.
Moreover, when you pick a concentrated formula, you’ll end up using less detergent. This is better for your septic system and the environment in the long run.
Formula Type
Laundry detergents come in different types that work for every washing need. Liquid detergents are easy to handle and work for pre-treating tough stains. Yet, you might accidentally overuse your product.
Powder detergents are more concentrated and work better for heavily soiled loads. Pods are more convenient as they come pre-measured. They might not dissolve completely if you use cold water.
Cost Per Load
You can pick the best detergent for your household by measuring the cost per load. Some septic-safe products might not be the most cost-efficient solution if you wash a heavy load every day.
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Wrap Up
Using one of these best septic-safe laundry detergents means you can have a clean load without the harmful chemicals that affect the function of your system. The Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets sees the best results because they feature a plant-based formula and quickly dissolve to break down stains and odors.
You can also use the Meliora Cleaning Products Laundry Powder Detergent if you want a product that comes in an eco-friendly container. For heavily soiled clothes, a concentrated product like Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder works best.
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