Last Updated on October 15, 2024
Is coconut oil bad for septic systems? There has been a lot of question into the effect of coconut oil on the plumbing system. This is the main reason why we have taken our time to do our research and provide you with a reliable conclusion.
The septic system operates on a simple method; the plumbing pipes transport the waste from the house to the septic tank. You should ensure proper maintenance of your septic system to avoid a septic backup. One step you need to take to maintain your septic system is to avoid disposing of items that can clog up your drain. These items include facial tissues, plastic, food particles, and any other thing that cannot easily be drained with water.
Another way you can maintain your septic tank is to make use of septic tank cleaning liquid, powder, or tablet regularly. These products contain materials that help to unclog your septic systems. Having said all this, it is important you know that coconut oil is one of the main things that are clogging up your septic system.
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Coconut Oil Uses
Coconut is one of the main ingredients in many of the DIY beauty and health products. This is because it has a lot of applications in beauty and health care. It is used in hair treatment and as a base in moisturizers and other facial products. When coconut oil is used at home for other purposes aside from cooking, chances are that the leftover oil will end up in your septic tank. The problem with having coconut oil in your plumbing system is that it hardens easily and makes drainage of your septic almost impossible.
When you notice that there is a blockage of your septic tank, you can easily run hot water through the drainage and if there is any coconut oil residue down there, the heat from the water will melt it and free up the pipes. But the safest practice is to avoid flushing coconut oil down the drain and avoid using coconut oil in your bathroom.
How to Reduce Coconut Oil in Your Drains
You can reduce the coconut oil that ends up in your drains by simply following some procedures such as
- After using coconut oil in your shower or bath, use hot water and flush down the drain. Pour the water down slowly to help melt away any coconut oil that might have hardened below the pipes.
- If you use coconut oil as bath scrub, you should go for fractionated coconut oil as they have been engineered not to harden. This type of coconut oil would not clog up in your septic system.
- Only use a small amount of coconut oil when you apply it to your hair. Depending on your hair texture, a small amount of coconut oil is enough to straighten your hair. Too much coconut oil in your hair may stiffen your hair. The goal is to use exactly what you need so as not to get any residue in the sink.
How to Unclog Your Drains – A simple Home Remedy
If you notice that your drains are clogged and do not drain easily, then it could be that the coconut oil residue from your last hair wash might be the culprit. Ideally, you will need to run a bucket of water down the drain to free up the debris in the pipes. If this doesn’t give you the result you need, then you can simply try the simple home remedy below.
- Take a few cups of boiling water and gently pour it down the drain.
- Take a fist full of baking soda and gently sprinkle it down the drain. The function of the baking soda is to act as a cleaning agent to help remove debris in the plumbing system. You can pour more boiling water to help get the baking soda to reach down the pipes.
- You can also take a few cups of white vinegar and pour it down the drain. It also acts as a cleaning agent that works together with the boiling water to remove dirt stuck in your septic system.
- You will need to pour more cleaning agents (baking soda/white vinegar) to your drain and allow it to sink for 5 to 10minutes.
- You will then need to pour more boiling water to your drain to flush everything out.
Other Things Clogging Up Your Drain
Apart from coconut oil, there are other things clogging up your drain that you need to be aware of. These things are not fit to be flushed down the drain and need to be dumped in a trash can to dispose of them properly. Some of the things we throw down the drain that clog up out septic system include:
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Flushable Wipes
There are a lot of flushable wet wipes products circulating around the markets. While they are great for use as wipes, they are not made to be flushed down the septic system. The problem is that they do not easily decompose and are difficult to remove even with rigorous cleaning.
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Other Oils
Coconut oil isn’t the only oil you need to be wary about when you think of your septic tank. Other oils you use in your hair care and skin can have the ability to clog your septic system. Oils such as olive oil, rose oil, lavender oil, and other essential oil can harden up inside your pipes and become a problem.
The best preventive measure you can take to prevent coconut oil from clogging up your septic system is to avoid using the oil in your bathroom. You can make use of an outdoor washing bowl or simply don’t use too much coconut oil on your hair. Also, you should clean your septic system often with hot water and cleaning agents; to get rid of debris that is accumulated down there.
Lacey is an environmental enthusiast and passionate advocate for living green and sustainable. She believes that everyone can make a difference, no matter how small. Lacey is dedicated to reducing her own carbon footprint and educating others on the importance of living greener. She is an advocate for green energy and sustainable practices. She is an active member of her local community, volunteering with local conservation efforts, and taking part in sustainability initiatives. Lacey is a firm believer that the only way to ensure a sustainable future is to work together and make small, but important changes.