If you have a septic tank at home, chances are you already understand that it requires regular maintenance. What many people don’t know, however, is that pumping it out isn’t sufficient. What you do in between cleanouts is equally important.
As per the Census, more than 38% of Indian urban residences depend on septic tanks. However, most of them are not well-maintained and suffer from premature failure, bad odor, or overflow of wastes.
Avoiding all those issues is possible by using a cleaner for the septic tank. But improper or incorrect usage, or at the incorrect time won’t do any good.
This guide shows precisely how to use a septic tank cleaner correctly, particularly if you are using a natural bio-based product in your own home.
What a Septic Tank Cleaner Does
A septic tank cleaner helps your tank break down solid waste more efficiently. It doesn’t remove the waste like pumping does, but it gets rid of the amount of scum and sludge that build up between cleanouts.
Here’s what happens in a standard 1,000–2,000 litre domestic tank:
Wastewater is produced daily from your kitchen or bathroom or toilet. Solids sink to the bottom, a layer referred to as sludge. Oil and grease and other lighter wastes float on top, a layer referred to as scum. The solids (sludge) and scum layers continue to accumulate and take up space in your tank.
Septic tank cleaners (particularly bio-based or enzyme-based ones) accelerate how quickly that waste decomposes. They contain:
- Lipase, which breaks down grease and oils
- Protease, which breaks down protein waste
- Amylase, which targets starches and paper residue
By adding these enzymes and live bacteria, the cleaner restores balance inside the tank. It increases the bacterial activity, especially if your tank has been affected by:
- Use of bleach, acid-based toilet cleaners, or disinfectants
- Long gaps between pumping
- Sudden increase in wastewater (e.g., guests at home)
With regular use (usually once a month), a bio-based cleaner can reduce odour within 2–3 weeks, soften waste buildup, and improve how water drains from sinks and toilets.
It doesn’t replace tank pumping. But it helps your system reach the recommended 3–5 year pumping cycle without early failure or foul smell.
When Should You Use a Septic Tank Cleaner?
Here are a few situations where it makes sense and can actually help your system work better.
1. You’ve Just Had the Tank Pumped
After pumping, your tank is nearly empty, but also nearly bacteria-free. That natural bacteria takes time to rebuild. If you add a bio-based septic tank cleaner now, you help restart the process faster.
2. You’ve Used Bleach or Disinfectants Recently
Toilet cleaners, bleach, and floor disinfectants kill off the helpful bacteria inside your tank. If you’ve deep-cleaned your bathrooms or kitchen recently, a cleaner with live bacteria and enzymes helps bring that balance back.
3. Your Drains Are Slower Than Usual
If water takes longer to leave your sink, or you hear bubbling sounds in the bathroom drain, your tank may be building up solids faster than it should. A cleaner at this stage can break down the buildup before it turns into a blockage.
4. You’re Not Sure When the Tank Was Last Pumped
If you’ve moved into a house and never scheduled a septic tank service, or if it’s been over 2–3 years with no record of one, your tank is likely overdue. A cleaner won’t fix a full tank, but it can reduce the strain and odour until you pump it.
5. You’re Hosting Guests or Using More Water Than Usual
During festivals, family visits, or holiday stays, your tank receives more water and waste than usual. That can disturb the balance inside the tank. Using a bio-cleaner during or just after such periods helps it cope with the load.
How to Apply Septic Tank Cleaner the Right Way
If you’ve bought an enzyme-based septic tank cleaner, using it is simple. But there’s a right way to do it otherwise, it won’t work the way it should.
Follow these steps to make sure it does its job:
1. Don’t Use Any Disinfectants 24 Hours Before and After
Start by avoiding any bleach, acid-based toilet cleaners, or antibacterial products.These kill off the very bacteria the cleaner is trying to introduce.
No bathroom or floor cleaning with harsh chemicals for a full day before and after application.
2. Use It at Night When Water Usage Is Low
Choose a time when your household won’t be using the toilet or drains for several hours. Right before bed is ideal.
This gives the bacteria and enzymes time to settle inside the tank and start working without being flushed away.
3. Add the Recommended Dose
If you’re using Bioclean Septic Tank Powder, use:
- 100g for a 1,000–2,000 litre tank, once a month.
Tanks above that capacity may need a second dose. Never double the dose “just to be sure.” Overdosing doesn’t speed up the breakdown process, it can actually disturb the balance.
4. How to Add It
- Use the powder. Don’t mix it with hot water or soap.
- Pour it into the toilet bowl directly.
- Flush once to push it down into the septic system. That’s it. Don’t flush again for the next 6–8 hours if possible.
If you’re using a liquid enzyme product, the same logic applies: pour the measured amount into a toilet or drain, and don’t use water afterward for several hours.
5. Repeat Monthly
For ongoing support, apply the cleaner once every month. This helps maintain the breakdown of solids and controls foul odour without the need for frequent pumping.
Set a calendar reminder if needed. It’s easier than waiting for your bathroom to smell.
Avoid Chemical Cleaners
Chemical septic cleaners might be fast, but they tend to cause more harm than help. They’re typically comprised of harsh acids or alkalis that:
- Destroy both good and bad bacteria
- Chew through pipes and tank walls over time
- Harm your soil and pollute nearby water
On the other hand, enzyme cleaners are working with the tank rather than against it. They add live bacteria that consume organic waste, break down sludge, and have a natural process of breakdown.
Final Checklist Before You Start
You now know when to use a septic tank cleaner, how to apply it, and what to avoid. But before you start, here’s a quick checklist to make sure you’re using it the right way:
- Have you not used bleach or harsh toilet cleaners in the last 24 hours?
- Can you use the cleaner at night when nobody will flush for a few hours?
- Do you have any knowledge of your tank size (most houses have 1,000–2,000 litre tanks)?
- Are you using a bio-based product and not a chemical one?
- Do you have your next date planned for regular use (once a month)?
If your answer is yes to all, you’re ready.
The best products for homes wanting to maintain healthy tanks in the long run include Bioclean Septic Tank Powder. It is one of the simplest products to begin using. It is bio-based, containing active strains of bacteria, and will do its work without harming your tank, pipes, or the environment.