A septic system is a key component in your living quarters.

It is essential for the efficient removal of waste from your shower, bathroom, and kitchen.

Whether you live in the countryside where the sewer system is not available or just want to avoid the maintenance costs of being connected to one, a septic tank is a great alternative.

 It is also better for the environment as it reduces pollution and helps local plants.

While a septic system is easy on the pocket, it can equally be costly if it is not properly maintained.

For instance, flushing the wrong products down the drain will clog the pipes and tank.

 At best, clogged pipes will slow down discharges. At worst, they will cause serious damage to the entire system which will warrant expensive repair and replacement.

Why go through the hassle of frequent repair and replacement of your septic system when you can take care of what you put in it?

Today, let’s talk about feminine products and septic tanks…

There’s a reason why public toilets have always issued stern warnings against flushing feminine pads and tampons down the toilet.

These products are meant for the trash can as they don’t degrade like human waste and organic materials do.

The same goes for a septic tank. Tampons shouldn’t find their way to your septic system if you want it to perform efficiently.

But just how many tampons can clog a septic tank?

Let’s investigate…

Are Tampons Biodegradable?

The septic tank is designed for human waste (urine and feces), toilet paper, soap, and wastewater from kitchen and bathroom sinks.

The reason is simple – these break apart easily in the septic field.

The solids are broken down through bacterial action while the liquids are purified to a state that is safe for the soil

Tampons, on the other hand, do not decompose in the same way.

If they are flushed, they will remain in their original form occupying space meant for the system.

When damped in huge amounts, these products can cause a septic system to malfunction completely.

Not only will the repair and replacement cost you money but it is frustrating and time-wasting.

Here’s a fun fact, though: not all tampons are non-biodegradable in a septic tank.

This mostly applies to those that are made from inorganic materials such as rayon, synthetic fibers, and non-organic cotton.

Organic tampons are made from 100% cotton making them biodegradable.

As such, they may be a little safe for a septic tank as they break apart.

Still, cotton tampons take a long time to be digested in a septic tank and are better off being dumped in a trash can.

How Many Tampons Would Clog A Septic Tank?

Perhaps you were sitting on your toilet bowl for a call of nature when your tampon slipped out and settled at the bottom.

You wanted to pull it out but the mess made you want to throw up.

How about flushing it down?

 Sure, tampons are bad for a septic tank but can one really cause serious clogging?

Well, one tampon is less likely to clog your septic system.

It all boils down to the volume of the product against that of the tank.

One tampon (or a few) will have very little effect on the tank for obvious reasons.

However, a large quantity is bound to take up a lot of space in the tank and drain pipes.

Within no time, fluid will build up in the tank eventually thus clogging the particles.

Consequently, the entire system will malfunction in one way or another.

There is no standard number of tampons that cause clogging of a septic tank.

Here, you will have to exercise common sense. If you have a small septic tank, you can’t get away with many tampons in there. Only a couple can cause severe damage.

A bigger tank can handle a few more tampons but it has its limits as well.

To be safe, you’d rather stop flushing your tampons in the toilet altogether if you have a septic tank.

This goes for both organic and non-organic tampons. Even if you have biodegradable products, it may take months before they break down.

In a system that processes waste fast, you may not have months before it’s too late.

Will Sulfuric Acid Dissolve Tampons?

When tampons make their way to your septic tank, you may wonder if there is a product you can use to dissolve it.

According to a past textile analysis done to determine the difference between natural and synthetic fibers, it was shown that sulfuric acid (70% concentration) dissolves cotton but not polyester.

This goes to show that this strong acid can break down tampons made of cotton but not those made with synthetic materials.

It can dissolve hair and soap among other things and is mostly used for this reason.

Will Drano Dissolve Tampons?

Drano is also famous for dissolving natural fibers.

It is a homeowner’s best friend for unclogging blocked pipes.

In itself, Drano is a caustic material containing ingredients that dissolve things like soap scum, hair, and gunk.

 It is essentially a lye-based cleaning product. When poured down a drain, it triggers a chain of reactions that break down matter.

 As for it dissolving a tampon, the answer is in the affirmative but only if the tampon is cotton-based.

If the tampon is made from synthetic ingredients, Drano will not be able to dissolve it.

Chemicals To Dissolve Tampons

Besides sulphuric acid and Drano, cotton tampons can also be dissolved by dipping them in Schweizer’s reagent (a mixture of copper hydroxide and ammonium hydroxide).

Another method includes the inorganic dissolution of cotton in sodium hydroxide/urea aqueous solution.

 Strong acids such as nitric and hydrochloric acids can also be used to dissolve cotton tampons.

Please keep in mind that these chemicals only work on 100% cotton tampons.

If you have a synthetic type, you may not have much luck dissolving it.

Closing Thoughts

Tampons were invented to make women’s lives easier. And they have fulfilled that purpose well.

However, disposing of them is sometimes a challenge, especially for homeowners with septic systems.

They don’t break down the same way human waste, toilet paper, and other organic wastes do.

As a result, they simply belong in the dustbin.

Nevertheless, one or two tampons may not affect the efficiency of your tank.