There are several different ways to clean your toilet but most of these methods are not safe for a septic tank.
Septic tanks contain useful bacteria that aid in the decomposition of waste. Harmful substances in some toilet cleaners can harm or kill these bacteria, causing a problem in your septic tank.
To enable you to clean your toilet without harming your septic tank, here are safe methods to clean your toilet with a septic tank:
Do-it-yourself Mild Cleaner
This is a simple and safe method to clean your toilet with a septic tank. It’s so gentle and won’t disrupt the normal bacteria activities in your toilet. You can do it regularly to clean your toilet.
To get started, get the following household ingredients and materials:
- White vinegar (about 3 to 4 cups)
- Baking soda/ Bicarbonate (1 cup)
- Essential oil (optional)
- Spray bottle
- Toilet brush (or sponge)
- Pair of latex gloves
Procedure
Put on a pair of latex gloves.
Add the white vinegar and baking soda together in a bowl and mix them gently until they blend.
If you’re able to get one, add an essential oil like peppermint oil or tea tree oil to the mixture and mix them until you reach a smooth consistency.
Pour the mixture into the spray bottle.
Squirt some of the mixtures inside your toilet bowl and leave it for some hours, if possible, leave it overnight. This allows the white vinegar and baking soda to act on the dirt and stains in your toilet.
Using a toilet brush, thoroughly scrub your toilet bowl to get stains and dirt off. Make sure that you apply pressure and also scrub every corner of the toilet bowl.
After that, flush your toilet and your toilet bowl will come out clean. Your toilet will not only look clean and smell nice but your septic tank will also be happy.
Rather than mixing the white vinegar and baking soda, you can apply them separately to your toilet bowl.
Pour only the white vinegar into the spray bottle and squirt some of it inside your toilet bowl.
Gently sprinkle the baking soda inside your toilet bowl.
Leave the two for some time to act on the toilet bowl before scrubbing your toilet bowl thoroughly with a sponge or toilet brush.
Flush your toilet once you’re done scrubbing.
Do-it-yourself Deep Cleaner
Depending on the type of stains or dirt you have in your toilet bowl, the mild cleaning procedure above may not be effective. In that case, try this do-it-yourself deep cleaning method.
Though this is a more powerful procedure for eliminating stubborn stains, it still features organic ingredients, which makes it safe for your septic tank. Borax is known to be safe for septic tanks.
To get started, get the following household ingredients and materials:
- White vinegar (1 cup)
- Borax (½ cup)
- Lemon juice (optional)
- Spray bottle
- Toilet brush (or sponge)
- Pair of latex gloves
Procedure
This method follows a procedure similar to that of the method above.
Pour the white vinegar into the spray bottle and squirt some into every corner of your toilet bowl.
Also, sprinkle the borax inside your toilet bowl, minding the areas with more stains or dirt.
Leave both ingredients in your toilet bowl for about 5 to 10 minutes. This will allow the borax to break up any stubborn stains.
Thoroughly scrub the toilet bowl with a sponge or toilet brush to get the stains or dirt off. If the dirt remains persistent, allow the white vinegar and borax to sit on the toilet bowl for more hours before scrubbing. Adding lemon juice will make the mixture more powerful to handle tough stains.
Denture Cleansing Tablets
You can also use eco-friendly denture cleansing tablets to clean your toilet with a septic tank because it’s safe and won’t harm the bacteria. All you need are some denture cleansing tablets, a toilet brush, and a pair of latex gloves.
Procedure
Drop the eco-friendly denture tablet into your toilet bowl.
The water in the toilet bowl should turn blue as it begins to fizzle.
Leave it for about 20 to 30 minutes. If possible, leave it overnight.
Then, thoroughly scrub off any dirt or stain in your toilet bowl using a toilet brush.
Flush your toilet after scrubbing and your toilet should appear clean and fresh.
Heavy-duty Retail Cleaners
If you don’t want a DIY cleanser and can’t lay your hands on a denture cleansing tablet, you can also purchase a retail toilet cleanser from a nearby store.
There are many retail toilet cleaners on the market that are safe for a septic tank. Make sure that any retail toilet cleaner you’re buying is biodegradable and bleach-free, otherwise, it will harm your septic tank. Most safe toilet cleaners bear the label “GREEEN biological cleaning product.”
Also, make sure that you carefully follow the mode of application as stated on the instruction leaflet.
Cleaning Methods to Avoid in a Toilet with Septic Tank
Not all toilet cleaning methods are ideal for toilets with a septic tank. While some toilet cleaning products are safe, some will harm the useful bacteria in the septic tank. These bacteria help to break down the waste matter in the septic tank.
Harmful chemicals in some toilet cleansers can either kill these bacteria or disrupt their normal activities. Therefore, you need to be very careful with the toilet cleaning method you choose. Here are cleaning ingredients to avoid if your toilet has a septic tank:
Hydrochloric Acid, Bleach, Chlorine, And Sodium Hypochlorite
Avoid cleaning your toilet with toilet cleansers that contain hydrochloric acid, bleach, chlorine, sodium hypochlorite, or any substance with a bactericidal effect.
Normally, these chemicals are so effective and quick at removing toilet stains, dirt, and buildups from minerals and hard water. However, they are also harmful to the bacteria in your septic tank.
More specifically, sodium hypochlorite, chlorine, and bleach are powerful disinfectants and effective at eliminating pathogens and harmful organisms in the toilet. However, they can also kill the useful microorganisms in the septic tank.
Hydrochloric acid is a well-known stain remover, it’ll remove mineral stains and rust from your toilet. Yet, hydrochloric acid can raise the pH level of the septic tank, making the environment too harsh for useful bacteria.
Methylisothiazolinone
You should also avoid any toilet cleaning product containing methylisothiazolinone in a toilet with a septic tank. Methylisothiazolinone is not a cleaning product but a preservative widely used in cosmetics, soaps, and household cleaners.
Methylisothiazolinone inhibits the growth of bacteria in any product they are added to. Using any toilet cleaner containing methylisothiazolinone means the useful bacteria in the septic tank will be killed or inhibited.
So, try as much as possible to avoid using any cleaning product that contains methylisothiazolinone in your toilet with a septic tank.
Toilet Tank Tablets
Using toilet tank tablets to clean a toilet seems so easy and convenient, but you need to be careful when choosing a brand. Some toilet tank tablets contain antibacterial agents that can harm or kill the good bacteria in your septic tank.
So, you should use a toilet tank tablet that contains a non-toxic formula and is specifically designed for toilets with septic tanks. Make sure that the tablets are labeled “safe for the septic tank” or “non-abrasive formula” before you purchase them.
Conclusion
Taking care of your toilet and septic tank can be a difficult task, but it doesn’t have to be. With a careful selection of the right cleaning products and methods, you can keep your toilet looking clean and fresh while protecting the useful bacteria in your septic system.
Remember to use biodegradable and bleach-free products, and avoid hydrochloric acid, bleach, chlorine, sodium hypochlorite, and methylisothiazolinone.
Also, make sure the toilet tank tablets you purchase are designed for toilets with septic tanks. With these tips, you can keep your toilet clean without harming your septic tank.
Also, don’t forget to check that the waste valve or septic tank lid is not leaking and remains secure. Doing this will help to keep your septic system functioning properly for years to come.
Good luck and happy cleaning!