Septic systems and formaldehyde
 

This information is from my brother who teaches about wastewater treatment at a university and planned, built, and runs a treatment plant for a city. So I trust his information. The link below pertains to RVers and such, but the information would be similar for those of us on home septics. More than you wanted to know, but a relief after reading.

The following link is the worst case scenario. I think most formaldehyde based products are off the market because nobody wants them. The problem here is the concentration.

http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/gro...wastewater.pdf

As I'm sure you have heard "the solution to pollution is dilution." In the case of the small amount of formaldehyde that will result from washing fabric I doubt there is any concern. Formaldehyde is an organic molecule that is food for some types of bacteria. The bacteria will break it down as long as the concentration isn't high enough to be toxic.

You could air out the fabric on a clothes line before washing it. That should lower the formaldehyde concentration prior to washing. Just smelling the fabric will give you a good idea of how much formaldehyde is present. I never realized what the smell was, but now have made the connection.

Long story short, not to worry. The septic will be fine with the little bit of formaldehyde you add from washing a few yards of cloth.

I have a septic system and also an RV - Thank you for the information. Very interesting and informative.

Airing the fabric outside first before washing sounds like a good idea. We aren't suposed to have a clothes line, but I could put the fabric over a chair out on the deck.

It surprised me that airing the fabric would decrease the formaldehyde! Easy way to lighten any septic worries. Never thought I'd be asking my brother for quilting related advice!! LOL

Have to smile :) :) :) because I wash a lot more than a few yards of cloth.

Thanks for the info - very informative.

Thank you for the info. Good to know.

:thumbup: CMW, the reference was my brother's response to me...but what does he know about how much fabric I use? LOL
I think there are a lot of quilter's out there that wash quite a few yards!