Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Toilet Bowl Cleaner & Your Septic System: Safe or Unsafe?

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Is Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Toilet Bowl Cleaner Safe for Septic?

Let’s begin by examining its ingredients:

Ingredients:

  • Water
  • Citric Acid
  • Lactic Acid
  • Alcohols C7-21 Ethoxylated
  • Lavender Oil
  • Orange Peel Oil
  • Fragrance
  • Xanthan Gum
  • PEG-2 Cocomonium Chloride

Ingredient Analysis

✅ Septic-Safe or Generally Acceptable Ingredients:

  • Water – Always safe.

  • Citric Acid & Lactic Acid – Mild organic acids; biodegradable and generally septic-safe. Used to break down mineral stains.

  • Lavender Oil & Orange Peel Oil – Plant-based and biodegradable.

  • Xanthan Gum – Natural thickener; biodegradable.

⚠️ Ingredients of Concern:

  • Alcohols C7-21 Ethoxylated – A nonionic surfactant. Many are biodegradable, but some can be slow to break down and potentially toxic to aquatic life. Not necessarily harmful in small household use, but caution is advised, especially with frequent use.

  • PEG-2 Cocomonium Chloride – This is a quaternary ammonium compound (a “quat”), which functions as a mild antibacterial agent and surfactant. This is the main concern, as quats can disrupt the bacterial balance in a septic tank if used frequently.

Verdict: Safe or Unsafe for Septic Systems?

⚠️ Conditionally Safe — Use With Caution

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day is better than most mainstream toilet cleaners because it avoids chlorine bleach, hydrochloric acid, and synthetic dyes. It uses mostly plant-based, biodegradable ingredients.

However, because it includes PEG-2 Cocomonium Chloride, a mild antibacterial, we don’t recommend frequent or heavy use of this cleaner in homes with septic systems. Occasional use may be fine, but over time it could interfere with the essential bacteria in your tank.

If you love Mrs. Meyer’s products, use them sparingly, and consider alternating with a 100% plant-based, quat-free cleaner to protect your septic system’s bacterial ecosystem.