Are Tampons Safe For Septic Tanks?
A lot of people seem to ask the question "are tampons safe for septic tanks?" And my answer is a definite NO.
Lets look at what tampons are made of...
A lot of brands of tampons are made from cotton, rayon, or a blend of the two materials. Rayon is a synthetic and does not biodegrade easily. Cotton when formed into products such as tampons can take some time to break down as well. So if a tampon gets into your septic tank it will likely be there for some time. Some are advertised as "biodegradable" but I would I would not count on that happening quickly in my septic tank. I would rather put them in the trash and let them biodegrade in a landfill.
The other big problem is clogging the plumbing pipes in your home. This can not only be nasty with sewer backups, but also inconvenient and expensive if you have to hire a plumber.
So please do yourself a favor and don't flush tampons down your toilet.
A Few Other Items Not To Flush...
1. Cat litter- clay cat litter will cause major problems to your septic system and clog your plumbing pipes. Don't flush it.
2. Disposable diapers and sanitary napkins- treat them like tampons and place in the trash only.
3. Paper Towels and Tissues- Can clog your pipes and they can be slow to break down in the septic tank.
4. Cigarette Butts- Trash only
Be kind to your septic tank and it will provide years of trouble free service. And once again "Are tampons safe for septic tanks"? Absolutely not. Don't flush them or you could end up with expensive repairs.