Septic tank systems can be pretty finicky and quite expensive when they back-up. We’ve only had to pump our septic tank one time in over 20 years, here’s our DIY Septic Tank Treatment that we use for keeping our system working without issues!
Natural Enzyme Action
Much like your stomach, septic tanks need good bacteria and enzymes to break down the solids that pass through it. These beneficial bacteria and enzymes can come from several sources, but our favorite is actually rotten tomatoes.
These naturally occurring enzymes are proteins called Pectinase or Pectinolytic enzymes. Pectinase is a group of enzymes that consist of lipase, hydrolyzes, lyase and it is able to naturally breakdown pectin and plant cell walls, helping to cause decomposition and recycling of waste plant materials.
DIY Septic Tank Treatment
Using a homemade septic tank treatment is simple and affordable. Every 3 months or so we “feed” our septic tank 3-4 rotten tomatoes via our garbage disposal.
The key is to ensure that you break the tomato up and pass only 1/2 a tomato or so at a time with the water running to ensure it flushes through completely.
If you don’t happen to have a garbage disposal, you can place a couple of large rotten tomatoes in a bag (chances are they’re already in a bag in your fridge and starting to liquefy anyway!).
Gently smoosh the bag to break the tomatoes up, palpating the bag to create very small chunks. Dump them into a toilet (no bleach!) and flush.
Keep in mind the hole in the base of the toilet isn’t very big, so make sure the chunks are small enough so they won’t get stuck!
Normally having rotten tomatoes every few months isn’t a problem, between the garden overproducing in the spring, summer and fall, there are always inevitably a few extras available, but then again, during the winter months, tomatoes have gotten pushed in the back of the fridge and started to liquefy before I discovered them. So at least they aren’t totally going to waste.
Toilet Paper No-No’s
The one time in 20+ years that we DID have our septic system pumped we were told that it absolutely didn’t need it, the system was running very well and looked great. The fellow told us several absolute horror stories of systems he’s seen in his work where the families used “fluffy” toilet paper.
You know the one.. they have cute little bears in their commercials who are proud of themselves for not having lint left behind.. or the ones that could double as a bedspread made by grandma because the quilted pattern is the same!
He asked me specifically what brand we use, it’s Scott Tissue. It breaks down quickly and doesn’t “glop” into a line plugging mess.
Alternatively, if you don’t happen to have rotten tomatoes around, you can also use bakers or brewers yeast to add beneficial bacteria to your tank.
How to Clean Septic Tank Naturally
Yeast and sugar work very well to clean a septic tank naturally, here’s a simple way to use them.
Septic Tank Cleaner
2 cups brown sugar
5 cups warm water
3 T’s baker’s yeast
Dissolve sugar and yeast in water.
Pour mix into a toilet (not containing bleach!) and flush. This is best done at night, so the yeast can work overnight, do not flush for at least 3 hours.
Additional Tips:
1 Always avoid adding raw or cooked meat to your septic via the toilet, the garbage disposal or any other method, meat is NEVER a beneficial bacteria.
2 Always avoid adding oils, grease or fat in any form, (solid or liquid) to your tank, this includes, but is not limited to: cooking oils, bacon grease, meat grease from draining ground beef/turkey, etc.
3 Avoid flushing anything besides waste and toilet paper in your tank, meaning, leave the feminine products in the rubbish, the baby diapers, and wipes, paper towels in the trashcan only, etc.
Just because those personal wipes claim to be safe for the septic, they take a very long time to break down.
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Definitely do not flush wipes down the toilet into a septic tank. The last time our tank was emptied, the cleaners almost did not do it because of the wipes. The facility they take the waste will not accept any deliveries with wipes anymore because they take too long to break down.
Be careful what goes into a septic tank.
Good to know. Just moved into a house with septic tank and needed the info.:
You have made my day with this information, thank you so much ?
This is great info. Moved into home with septic. Never had one before.
Was wondering what to “feed” the tank. Thanks so much!
thank you, i’ve had some awful smells coming from the septic tank that was put very close to our Cottage, some days when I’m in my pantry, I can’t stand the smell. I am trying your tips to see if that will take the smell away as it might be that when I am there alone, I flush the toilet quite often and is probably overwhelmed with water.I think??
Just be careful what you put into the septic tank from the kitchen. The faster you you fill the tank the more it has to be pumped. It averages us for 3 people living here about $250 to pump the tank and that includes the transport and emptying the truck.
It you are careful you might be able to get away with pumping the tank about every 2 – 5 years.
Make sure the access top(s) pf the tank are accessible.
My husband had to dig down the first time to uncover the top and the septic people put in extension tops that reached the surface of the surrounding ground. These tops now just have to be unscrewed and not dug up every time.
We’ve had ours pumped twice in 35 years and it didn’t “need” it either time. If you don’t put junk down into it (tampons/crappy brands of “quilted” toilet paper, grease, etc) it will keep itself in perfect working order. That’s the point of a septic tank.
It’s not a holding tank, that’s an entirely different issue. a true septic should not need to be pumped but once every 15-20 years. Of COURSE Septic companies will tell you otherwise, kind of hard to maintain a business when a homeowner only needs you once every 15 years vs every 5.
LOL
The absolute best thing you can do to maintain a good working septic system is not use a garbage disposal. you want stuff… that is already digested, not raw.
compost or trash your scraps. of course as others have said no oils. ditch the chemicals and go for homemade green cleaning products.
chemicals are not good for septic systems. you are trying to keep bacterial processes not kill them.
Do not put coffee grinds down the septic either.
excellent info here- I don’t have a septic tank, but as we are hoping to buy, this info has reduced my fear of septic tanks
Ive lived n same place since 1999 and have an ariator with 200 ft of graveless leachi am yet to have it pumped..cig.butts tampins paper towles have stoped it up bfore but with a snake i got it clean…but im afraid im going to need it pumped soon…but ive got almost 19 years of service outvof it….and its even in clay soil.I have been very fortunite ….
It is interesting that you suggested feeding your septic tank some rotten tomatoes every now and then. That is good for me to know as a new homeowner. I don’t want to have a problem with my septic system. It is good to know that you need to be careful about what you put down your garbage disposal. It seems like you should not use harsh chemicals around your drains.
I love your septic tank tips. My tank is dirty. I’ll have to have the sludge getting pumped out.
Woah. I could not believe some people do not treat their septic tank with care. I trust all your tips that would be more effective to use. I will ask my mom to follow those tips you suggested here.
I never thought about making sure that you put natural enzyme actions through the septic tank and how much beneficial enzymes will help it. My husband and I are concerned about our septic tank as our water system has not been properly working. We will keep these tips in mind.
Thank you for your tip to not put grease oil down the sink because it isn’t good for the septic tank. My wife noticed that there has been some backup in the bathroom and I think we need to get our septic tank pumped. I’ll be sure to not pour any grease down the sink from now on.
You can literally open the top of your tank and skim the grease off (it accumulates on top). It’s also helpful to install a grease trap (aka grease interceptor) which collects water and allows grease to rise to the top before the water goes to the septic tank.
If you have poured grease in your drains on very rare occasions, you can pour 1 cup of commercial acid-based drain cleaner down the sink, this helps keep grease levels under control.
I’m just not a fan of paying for services that aren’t necessary.
There are 7 Easy Ways to Keep Your Septic System Healthy
1 Become familiar with your septic system.
2 Pump it regularly.
3 Evenly distribute your washing machine and dishwasher usage throughout the week.
4 You shouldn’t treat your toilet like a trash can.
5 Think Twice Before Dumping Things Down Your Kitchen Sink Drain.
6 Be Careful When Using Cleaning Chemicals.
7 Be aware of where your drainfield is and protect it from damage.- meaning don’t let people drive on it and don’t allow plants or shrubs to grow on it.
If you follow these steps, your septic will always function perfectly.
Very helpful info. Just had house built so brand new septic I never had a septic and want to make sure I’m taking care of it properly from the get go. Keep the tips coming. Thanks