If you are moving to, or already live, in a home with a septic tank (or cesspit for older homes) you may already be aware that you must be super careful about what toiletries you use.
We regularly get asked about septic tank safe shampoos, so this guide should answer all your questions.
What is a Septic Tank?
A septic tank is an underwater sedimentation tank used to treat your wastewater in a natural way. This water includes all the water from your washing, including bath, shower, and machine drainage.
They’re usually made of plastic. fiberglass or concrete and provide a simple way to treat and remove excess water, so as not to contaminate your water supply.
Older houses, houses in remote locations, environmentally built houses and portable homes are most likely to have septic tanks attached. In towns and cities, water is moved through the sewer system and treated by the local water board before being returned to the water network.
How it Works
Water from home runs from a single pipe to the tank.
The tank holds the water, allowing solid waste in the water to fall to the bottom, while oil and grease floats to the top
The liquid wastewater is filtered to the drain tank to be discharged onto porous surfaces and filtered out to soil, which treats and disperses the water naturally
Why do I need Septic Tank Safe Shampoo?
You don’t HAVE to use a septic tank safe shampoo, but your equipment is much more likely to experience damage with standard formulations, and they can be harmful to the environment.
If you use a traditional shampoo, the high pH balance and chemical composition can harm the enzymes used to eat the waste product in your septic tank system. Without these, there’s a much higher risk of your tank getting backed up and damaged.
What Makes a Shampoo Septic Tank Safe?
Firstly, the PH balance must be around 5.5, which is great both for the skin and the environment of your septic tank.
Ensuring your shampoo is free from harmful Sulphates (degreaser) means it won’t interfere with the chemical makeup of your tank. The other most important chemical to avoid is Silicone. Septic Tanks do not handle any kind of grease or oil well, so a good silicone free conditioner is also essential.
Can a Septic Tank Safe Shampoo Smell Nice?
Yes, you can enjoy a fragrance in your shampoo and toiletries, but you’re best to pick shampoos fragranced with natural or organic essential oils. Artificial fragrances won’t be in harmony with the biodiversity in the tank.
Are Odylique Shampoos Septic Tank Safe?
Yes, both Gentle Herb Shampoo and Tea Tree Shampoo are septic safe. Both have a pH of 5.5, both are sulphate and silicone free, and both are fully biodegradable, Soil Association certified and organic.
The shampoos do contain a tiny amount of coconut oil to promote shine and nourishment of your hair, but your septic tank is designed to split this out, and it will not solidify, so will not cause issues with waste build up.
