Guide · Home care

Septic Safe Habits

A plain, friendly guide to the small, everyday habits that keep a septic tank healthy: what goes down the toilet, what goes down the sink, and what stays in the trash.

Start the checklist

Where to start

Not sure what can be flushed?
Only the three P's. See what goes in the toilet.
Running toilet or dripping faucet?
Try the 10 minute dye test in catch leaks early, then report it.
Just moved into a home with septic?
Tick through the checklist and set up a trash can in each bathroom.

The short version

A septic tank is a living system. Tiny bacteria work around the clock to break down what comes from the home. They do not need much from us, but they do need us not to hurt them.

Normal household waste brings plenty of helpful bacteria into the tank on its own. Harsh chemicals, large amounts of bleach and things that do not break down are what upset that balance.

Small amounts of everyday soap and cleaner are part of normal life in a home with septic. Large amounts of harsh cleaners, and bleach that goes in all the time, like bleach tablets in a toilet tank, can harm the helpful bacteria.

Nobody gets this perfect every day, and that is okay. A little awareness goes a long way.

Who does what

Every home and lease is a little different, so these are examples. When you are not sure, ask first.

Residents can often

Flushing only the three P's
Keeping grease, paint, oil and chemicals out of drains
Doing the dye test and reporting leaks
Asking before adding any product to the system

Leave to the owner or a pro

Choosing any septic additive, with the septic pro's advice
Fixing running toilets and leaks
Pumping and inspecting the tank

Only the three P's go in the toilet

Pee, poop and toilet paper. Everything else belongs in a trash can, including:

Wipes of every kind, even ones labeled flushable.
Paper towels and tissues.
Tampons, pads and other hygiene products.
Dental floss, cotton swabs and condoms.
Cat litter and cigarette butts.

These items do not break down in the tank. They can float, tangle and clog filters and pumps.

Drains, kitchen and laundry

Here are common examples to keep out of every sink, tub and toilet. This is not a complete list.

Chemical drain openers, paint, paint thinner and solvents.
Motor oil, antifreeze, pesticides and weed killers.
Medicines. Many communities have medicine take back sites or drop boxes, often at pharmacies.
Scrape plates into the trash and put cooking grease in a jar or can, never the sink.
Use the garbage disposal lightly, or not at all. Food scraps add solids to the tank.
Spread laundry across the week instead of doing it all in one day. Use laundry detergent in normal amounts, and ask the owner if their septic pro prefers a certain kind.
The EPA says additives are generally not needed for a septic system to work, and some may even cause harm. Please do not add any product to the system unless the owner asks you to.

Catch leaks early

A running toilet or dripping faucet sends extra water to the tank all day and night. Try a dye test every few months:

Put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank.
Wait 10 minutes without flushing, and look in the bowl.
If color shows up, the toilet is leaking. Flush when you are done so the color does not stain the tank.
Report it, with a short video if you can.

Try it

Your septic safe habits checklist

From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. These are examples; your home may need others.

0 of 7

Only the three P's flushed
Lidded trash can in every bathroom
Grease, paint, oil and chemicals kept out of drains
Medicines taken to a take back site, never flushed
No septic additives unless the owner asks
Dye test every few months, with a 10 minute wait
Running toilets and drips reported right away

An everyday example

A new resident in a country home was used to city plumbing and had always used bleach tablets in the toilet tanks. On the first week call, the owner mentioned the home was on septic and asked about cleaning habits. The resident switched to a regular bowl cleaner, set out a trash can in each bathroom, and started a grease jar by the stove. The next septic visit found a healthy tank.

Test yourself

How much do you remember?

4 quick questions from this guide, with a one line why for each. Totally optional, no sign in, and your answers are never saved.

From The Perfect Series

Go deeper with The Perfect Country Rental

A septic system is one of several things that make a country home different from a home in town. The Perfect Country Rental walks through wells, septic systems, fuel deliveries, power outages, winter roads and the distance to help, with worksheets for who does what.

See The Perfect Series

Keep this guide handy

Save this page, come back to your checklist any time, and share it with anyone in your home who could use it.

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From the Bunklow shop

Take it with you

Bunklow Home Guide 106: Septic System Additive Check and Household Chemical SafeguardsA printable guide to septic system additive check and household chemical safeguards, in plain steps.
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This guide shares general educational information to help you, and is not legal advice or a substitute for a licensed professional. Bunklow does not inspect, repair or service septic systems. Septic rules differ from state to state and county to county, so please check the rules where your home is, follow the guidance of your local health department, and get local help from a licensed septic professional for any work on the system.