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Cleaning Up:  Septic systems and tampons?  |
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JenniferJuniper
True Blue Farmgirl
359 Posts
Jennifer
New Hampshire
USA
359 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 29 2008 : 1:36:21 PM
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Ladies, our new-to-us house has a well, septic system and leach field, which is all new to me. Right before we bought the house the leach field system was completely replaced and the, ahem, solid "detrius" was pumped out from the holding tank. The serviceman told my husband to make sure no tampons were flushed, ever. Having been on sewer systems all of my life until now, I'm used to flushing them away and wanted to ask you who are in the know if this was good advice. And what else I might need to know...
Farmgirl Sister #204 |
Edited by - JenniferJuniper on Sep 29 2008 1:37:35 PM |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2008 : 1:51:45 PM
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Jennifer-
Septic systems are not set up for tampons. They do not break down quickly enough and can actually block the pipes into the leach field. Some natural tampons break down faster than the conventional tampons, but I would not suggest flushing them either. The convenience of flushing isn't worth the price of having the septic guys have to come out.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2008 : 2:35:43 PM
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they aren't made to be flushed..nor are paper towels or diaper wipes..a most definite way to clog the lines that's for sure.
also avoid pouring grease down your sink as well..and try to avoid powdered laundry detergents(as the powder can bind up with any grease in the line and create big rock type chunks)..all are rough on a septic system.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
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City_Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
509 Posts
Christina
Omaha
Nebraska
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2008 : 2:47:52 PM
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I have never known in all my years a septic tank that handle the load of tampons. It may be a good time to go "green" . You can check out getting a Diva Cup http://www.divacup.com/
Christina
Farmgirl Sister #195
http://justacitychick.blogspot.com/
Although no one can go back and make a brand new start; anyone can start from now
and make a brand new end.
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sweetproserpina
True Blue Farmgirl
535 Posts
meg
Vinemount
Ontario
Canada
535 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2008 : 3:05:22 PM
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I didn't know that about powdered laundry detergent. We have septic here and I use my own homemade laundry powder (borax,washing soda, soapflakes) It gets thoroughly dissolved in water first. Is that going to be hard on the tank? Should I make the liquid instead? I think the previous owners used powdered laundry detergent too..
"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world."
http://quaintandkeepinghouse.blogspot.com New Homekeeping Blog!
http://theprimroseway.blogspot.com/ |
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City_Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
509 Posts
Christina
Omaha
Nebraska
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2008 : 4:17:04 PM
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Meg I would think that you are going to be okay using your homemade laundry soap because it doesn't have all those extra additives that can prevent them from fully disolving while washing.
Christina
Farmgirl Sister #195
http://justacitychick.blogspot.com/
Although no one can go back and make a brand new start; anyone can start from now
and make a brand new end.
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Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
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PlumCreekMama
True Blue Farmgirl
730 Posts
Heather
Iowa
USA
730 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2008 : 7:10:27 PM
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Jennifer- I learned the hard way not to flush tampons with septic. I got the toilet clogged and guess what hubby found after plunging? Yep. Luckily I hardly have that problem anymore with my IUD. Two or three times a year for maybe a day or two.
http://plumcreekmama.blogspot.com/
http://plumcreekcreations.etsy.com |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Sep 29 2008 : 7:15:05 PM
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I have never flushed them. Always thought something like you mentioned would happen. I was also raised not to flush toilet paper....had to put in into a nice clean tight wad and through in the trash outside. Yep..parents were crazy mad about keeping paper products out of the septic system.
Would like to try to DIVA cup but am afraid..TMI COMING TMI COMING..my uterus is tipped, so I don't know if it will work. (And once again, I can ONLY say things like this on MJ's website without feeling silly.) Love you ladies!!!
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
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poverty girl
True Blue Farmgirl
51 Posts
Kristin
Fremont
Ut
USA
51 Posts |
Posted - Sep 30 2008 : 07:54:03 AM
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Just checked out the website suggested above for the Diva Cup. I never knew!! Certainly going to give it a try!! Thanks for the information, just putting a septic system in and would have been flushing away =0)
Thanks girls!!
Kristin
"There ain't no time for looking pretty when you've gotta slop the pigs."--Haddy Rennet |
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poverty girl
True Blue Farmgirl
51 Posts
Kristin
Fremont
Ut
USA
51 Posts |
Posted - Sep 30 2008 : 08:23:12 AM
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Went to order the Diva Cup from Amazon, they have it listed for $16.99, but one review suggested using something else if you are prone to UTIs. Does anyone else have suggestions on this, or is it okay to go ahead and use the Diva Cup. I was told by my doctor to try other products besides tampons if I keep getting UTIs. I'm confused?!?!
Kristin
"There ain't no time for looking pretty when you've gotta slop the pigs."--Haddy Rennet |
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babysmama
True Blue Farmgirl
931 Posts
Elizabeth
Iowa
931 Posts |
Posted - Sep 30 2008 : 10:39:15 AM
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I think the reason tampons can cause a UTI is because of the chemicals and bleaching of the tampon. I would think that a Diva Cup should be much better for you then a tampon.
-Elizabeth |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Sep 30 2008 : 7:36:06 PM
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meg: re: the powdered detergent...I learned this because when we first bought our home..the very next day the septic backed way up..uggh..not a nice surprise for sure in a new home.
So..we had to call to have it hydraulically pumped out with a super strong pump. When the guys got done pumping it out..setting on the ground next to the sewer valves were these huge white chunks of solid white stuff. I walked over and asked the guys what it was and they said ..it is powdered laundry detergent mixed with grease..it is the worst thing you can use in your septic system. We see this all the time!
They said that over time the powder mixes with any grease in the line that you may accidentally pour into a kitchen sink..and the 2 bind together to create these huge chunks that can clog up the system.
That's how we learned about it.
So from then on I have not ever used powder detergent.
But..that's just me.
If you are comfy using it..I say go for it..this is just a personal preference for our household and from what I was told.
Definitely not "gospel" or ..ha.."written in stone".
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
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Bellepepper
True Blue Farmgirl
1207 Posts
Belle
Coffeyville
KS
USA
1207 Posts |
Posted - Oct 01 2008 : 08:53:20 AM
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| Last year between Christmas and New Years, our septic system plugged up. Called the guy to come with his cable thing. Yes, we had some roots in the line but what had plugged up the line was tampons clinging to the roots. I said, "don't look at me, I didn't do it!!" At Christmas there were no less than 7 granddaughters and inlaws that could have been the guilty ones. Have not had that many here at one time since. Will have to put up a sign in the bathroom before the holidays. |
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hipmamato4
True Blue Farmgirl
51 Posts
danielle
wernersville
pa
USA
51 Posts |
Posted - Oct 01 2008 : 11:06:28 AM
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For anyone who is tired of using tampons and pads I would HIGHLY recommend using the sea sponge as a tampon. Tampons are SO bad for you, the environment and the septic system apparently! (which I didn't know)
I have been buying sea sponge tampons for about 6 years and I LOVE them. They are so easy to use and convenient to carry. I ordered mine through www.jadeandpearl.com, but my most recent ones were ordered as natural make up sponges on Ebay. The Jade and Pearl sponges come as two, and are about $7 or $8, but they can last about two years or more. Taking them out is what tends to break them apart, so if you are careful they can last much longer. The other nice thing for some people is that if you have your period you can still use the sponge while having intercourse.
Another nice thing is that when you rinse them you can easily squeeze out the blood into a bowl or bucket and use it on your garden or compost pile. I haven't done this yet, not sure how "weird" I want to appear to my family. Seriously though, I have three young daughters (11, 9, and 6) and tampons are not coming into my house.
Check out Jade and Pearl's website. www.jadeandpearl.com
Homebirthing, home-schooling mama to 4 awesome kids, living an idyllic country life in Pennsylvania |
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Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
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sweetproserpina
True Blue Farmgirl
535 Posts
meg
Vinemount
Ontario
Canada
535 Posts |
Posted - Oct 02 2008 : 6:19:51 PM
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I second danielle :) - I love jade and pearl sea sponges. I've tried the diva, but always go back to the sponges.. so comfy.
Tina- thanks for the hint about detergent in the septic! I'll have to do some research and decide what I'll do.
"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world."
http://quaintandkeepinghouse.blogspot.com New Homekeeping Blog!
http://theprimroseway.blogspot.com/ |
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campchic
True Blue Farmgirl
312 Posts
Erin
Nebraska
USA
312 Posts |
Posted - Oct 12 2008 : 07:01:50 AM
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Tell me more about the Divacup. You all have me interested. But what about the ick factor? Is it easy to use? Is there leakage?
Erin
Farmgirl #190 |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Oct 13 2008 : 03:31:14 AM
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Our home is also on septic
I recommend using that Rid-X once a month or other good bacteria thingy you can fluch to help break down the solids
On occasion when it rains really hard for more than 2-3 days, our toilet stops flusing and starts bubbling. Thankfully nothing backs up, we just can't flush.
Pity we don't have an outhouse for these types of emergencies. Our neighbors are so far away and there's a screeing of trees. On several occasions I have had to just drop trow outside in the middle of the night 'cause the leech fields were too waterlogged.
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Cleaning Up: Septic systems and tampons? |
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Septic systems and tampons?
