rossr35 wrote:
> "Dee.Dee" wrote:
> >Only suggestion I have is: when you have time, research comments about use
> >of bleach products.
>
> >This may be an inacurrate observation on my part, but I seem to recall that
> >bleach will play havoc with the little beasties that work on the
> >deterioration of your waste.
>
> >Dee De
>
> Having lived in a home serviced by a septic system most of my life
> (I'm now 73), and wishing to avoid any problems, I have probably
> researched septic info more than the average person.
> With regard to septic systems, here's what the makers of Clorox have
> to say about using Clorox Regular for laundry. This is copied and
> pasted from the Dr. Laundry section of the Clorox web site.http://www.drlaundryblog.com/?cat=9
> <Quote>
> The recommended amount of Clorox Regular-Bleach is 3/4 cup for regular
> loads or 1 1/4 cup for large/heavily soiled loads.
> As for the septic tank, you shouldn't worry about using the
> recommended amount of bleach. The active ingredient, sodium
> hypochlorite, is extremely reactive and nearly all is consumed in the
> wash and reverts to mostly salt and water. The small amount that may
> be un-reacted will encounter lots of organic soil in the drain pipes
> and be consumed long before it reaches the septic tank.
> <Unquote>
>
> Ross.

Just a little detail; one cannot "unquote"... makes one appear
uneducated ergo surplants one's credibility, especially when no
reference is given for the quote... the correct term is *end of
quote*.

Btw, bleach doesn't remove schmutz from clothes, in fact it will
permanently set many stains. Bleach whitens/lightens,sanitizes, and
destroys fibers/plastics/rubber, but it does not clean. With modern
clothes washing detergents/machines it's only necessary to add a small
amount of bleach (1/2 cup) to a wash occasionally (about every tenth
wash) to sanitize/'sweeten' the machine. Washing with bleach
substantially shortens the life of fabics (and many parts of the
machine), save using bleach for the occasional load of old worn out
clothes. Manufactures of these products are out to separate folks
from their dollars, there is very little truth in "soaps" advertising.

Also chlorine bleach is particularly dangerous to human tissue,
especially the respiratory system. The warning is on the label
(corrosive) but is not very specific or even noticable, typically very
small print and mentions eyes and swallowing only, I'll bet most folks
never read or even notice the warning. Bleach fumes permanently
damages lung tissue, actually over time more damaging than smoking.
When using laundry bleach do NOT hang around, start the machine and go
away... many of those products are perfumed, that encourages sniffing,
DON'T. Chloring bleach is one of the more dangerous household
chemicals, regardless how diluted it should never be used as a general
household sanitizer.