Septic safe hand cleaner

[nieuport17]

When I was in city sewer area, I used Fast Orange. Now, I live with a septic system.
Based on my research, it doesn’t seem like Fast Orange is septic safe especially with pumice.
For those of you that has a septic system, what do you guys use for hand cleaning to wash off oil or gas on hand?
Thank you.

 

[bbxlr8]

I have had septic in two houses over the last 20 years and don't think it is a problem. Of course everything "depends"... How much you use, type and condition of tank/baffles & field, etc. I would not go crazy.

I use simple green and a stiff brush as first-pass and go from there to fast orange as needed. I work on tractors, cars, trucks etc and have always had a utility sink in the garage.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

If really greasy I use hand cleaner (like fast orange) waterless and wipe my hands with paper shop towels. Then, if I want them really clean I wash at the sink with regular bar soap and a brush. BTW: The oil and grease are harder on the septic than fast orange.

 

[matt_i]

I just use dish soap.

Agree on the oil+grease being worse than a detergent.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

If really greasy I use hand cleaner (like fast orange) waterless and wipe my hands with paper shop towels. Then, if I want them really clean I wash at the sink with regular bar soap and a brush. BTW: The oil and grease are harder on the septic than fast orange.

Yep, I wipe off most of the hand cleaner before I wash.

 

[Torque&Recoil]

I have been using Fast Orange for years, with a septic system. Use it all the time. What problems are supposed to occur?

 

[dw1]

Do you put any septic additive in your system? I just installed a new septic system (new house build) I have been using CCLS, it adds good bacteria to your septic system to help it out. There are all different kinds of these treatments, google it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have been using Fast Orange for years, with a septic system. Use it all the time. What problems are supposed to occur?

We have a sink at the fire house that drains very slow. I cleaned the drain line out once and it has very little fall. What I found was the bottom of the line covered in the grit/sand/pumice from the cleaner.

I now have got the guys to not put regular hand soap in the wall dispenser. I buy a jug of a cheap dish liquid at Family Dollar (next block from the FD) for $2. I keep the dispenser filled up and they let me know if it's empty. The 32 oz bottle will last 6 months or so. However, we still have a jug of grit hand cleaner under the sink.

At home in the shop bathroom, I have Palmolive in a old dial soap pump dispenser.

 

[nieuport17]

We have a sink at the fire house that drains very slow. I cleaned the drain line out once and it has very little fall. What I found was the bottom of the line covered in the grit/sand/pumice from the cleaner.

I now have got the guys to not put regular hand soap in the wall dispenser. I buy a jug of a cheap dish liquid at Family Dollar (next block from the FD) for $2. I keep the dispenser filled up and they let me know if it's empty. The 32 oz bottle will last 6 months or so. However, we still have a jug of grit hand cleaner under the sink.

At home in the shop bathroom, I have Palmolive in a old dial soap pump dispenser.

That’s exactly what I read on another forum.
The Fast Orange clogs the p trap.

 

[bad_idea]

I recently bought a house with a septic system. I am curious what others have done with oily hands and a septic system.

 

[mwalsh9152]

As others have said, with septic, I would clean with whatever hand cleaner you want, then wipe your hands with a paper towel before washing with regular soap. You dont want to put a ton of grease/oil into the septic system.

 

[gungatim]

I use fast orange, no septic problems in 20+ years.

as far as additives, I add special bacteria to keep my septic healthy. every time I go #2. why pay for a product you make yourself???

 

[NUTTSGT]

That’s exactly what I read on another forum.
The Fast Orange clogs the p trap.

One of the reasons I think it is vitally important to use plenty of water to rinse with and not a trickle of water. It doesn't hurt to run an occasional sink full of hot water down the drain either.

 

[Jon_E]

No need to overthink it. A properly designed and functioning septic system should be able to handle the limited amount of oil, grease, pumice and what-have-you from normal handwashing. Key considerations are to make sure you get the tank pumped out every two to three years, clean the filter if you have one, limit your bleach use (this is what kills bacteria), and don't bother putting additives in the tank - they liquefy the solids and your leach filed will clog over time.

Souce: am professional engineer and septic designer with over 30 years experience.

 

[az45]

No need to overthink it. A properly designed and functioning septic system should be able to handle the limited amount of oil, grease, pumice and what-have-you from normal handwashing. Key considerations are to make sure you get the tank pumped out every two to three years, clean the filter if you have one, limit your bleach use (this is what kills bacteria), and don't bother putting additives in the tank - they liquefy the solids and your leach filed will clog over time.

Souce: am professional engineer and septic designer with over 30 years experience.

What a "limited amount"? We have a tire shop with 8 or 10 mechanics/tire busters in a building on septic. We've had our share of septic issues over the use a years. Would you a different formula when designing a system for a greasier than normal environment?

 

[nh_yota]

Goop hand cleaner.

 

[Old Man Roger]

When I'm out of hand cleaner, I've used baking soda and dish soap.

I don't know if it's any better for the septic system or not, but it cleans pretty good and seems like it wouldn't be a problem for the septic system.

 

[jkeyser14]

What a "limited amount"? We have a tire shop with 8 or 10 mechanics/tire busters in a building on septic. We've had our share of septic issues over the use a years. Would you a different formula when designing a system for a greasier than normal environment?

A restaurant "grease trap" connected to your sink would do a lot of good for extending your septic life.

 

[rburke65]

Just a residential guy here....not a mechanic, but I’ve never had a problem with hand cleaner in my septic system.

 

[seanc_mt]

I use Joe's hand cleaner. It is by far the BEST and I've tried them all. It is not cheap though.

 

[BillK]

At home in the shop bathroom, I have Palmolive in a old dial soap pump dispenser.

Thats all I use here at my business. Palmolive Gold in an old pump bottle. Works great.

 

[kbs2244]

Good wipe with paper towels.
Liquid dish soap.
Rub in cheap hand lotion.
Re-wash.

The hand lotion will mix with the grease to dissolve it.

 

[Torque&Recoil]

I'll be darned. I have not had any problems with pumice clogging the p-trap (yet !), but thanks for the heads-up. Anyway, that isn't a septic problem, it would be a general plumbing problem which would occur in any house or bathroom in the USA. I HAVE had a problem with eggshells going down the disposal and clogging pipes. But that's another story for another day.

 

[tarmy]

Dawn dish soap is awesome for greasy hands...

Keep solvents and paint out of the system...should be fine. OP, try a couple dish soaps like Dawn...

 

[Showkey]

Home septic laundry is more of a concern than hand washing. Functioning modern system should have no trouble with either one.

That said I use these and thrown then in the trash

 

[Tim Kennedy]

Can't imagine the amount of hand cleaner you would have to use to create a problem in the septic system -- I mean you're looking at a small amount in roughly a 1000/1500 gallon tank -- I have to think that no matter what you are taking off your hands, it would be diluted so much it wouldn't matter.

 

[brownbagg]

i been on a septic system all my life, I grab whatever hand soap i want, that little amount not going hurt anything, bacteria grows so fast, it doesnt effect it at all

your thinking too much into this

 

[PassnThru]

Septic systems can be very robust. Provided that they were sized and installed correctly to begin with.
And, depending on how many trees are in the general vicinity.
And, depending on the local soil conditions.
And, depending on the usage,
And, depending on the hundreds of other variables out there.
There are so many variables in play that you really can't listen to other people about their experience. There is no easy answer.
Pump every three or four years, keep tree roots out, be thoughtful but not fanatical about what you put in the tank.