You could probably even water grass with grey water that has bleach in it as it is very dilute in the machine. Or you could simply mix all the water from different loads in some large barrels and not have to discard the bleach water.
Anyone here recycle their washing machine water?
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Originally Posted By: daves66nova
Originally Posted By: Chris Meutsch
The detergent would probably, eventually, ruin the grass, wouldn't it? You would need a dedicated graywater recycling system to do it right.
Not at all. The phosphates make the grass grow.The grass is very green from one of the people that I was told does this.
Hmmm...I thought phosphates in detergents have been banned for years...
Originally Posted By: Chris Meutsch
The detergent would probably, eventually, ruin the grass, wouldn't it? You would need a dedicated graywater recycling system to do it right.
Not at all. The phosphates make the grass grow.The grass is very green from one of the people that I was told does this.
Hmmm...I thought phosphates in detergents have been banned for years...
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As our population grows there will have to be alternate methods of handling all home discharge. Right now anything that increases the cost of construction cuts into someone's pocket and that means less campaign money or side payments for politicians. Common sense has no chance when faced with politics.
At my previous house the washing machine, shower and bathtub discharge drained into the backside of my property and the grass was always greener and thicker than anyplace else. And this was for 27 years with no apparent long term problems. When I sold the house I had to hook it up "correctly" but the new homeowner immediately changed it back after they moved in.
More immediate processing of household discharge might be more useful and cost effective as our resources become more in demand.
At my previous house the washing machine, shower and bathtub discharge drained into the backside of my property and the grass was always greener and thicker than anyplace else. And this was for 27 years with no apparent long term problems. When I sold the house I had to hook it up "correctly" but the new homeowner immediately changed it back after they moved in.
More immediate processing of household discharge might be more useful and cost effective as our resources become more in demand.
Used to be illegal in my state, then needed council approval, now all OK.
We just used a 220L barrel as an intermediate storage and a siphon to put it where we wanted it.
Relocating the laundry, so need to redo the concept.
Got to watch for salt content, as a lot of the powders are "bulked" with salt to look more than they are...liquids less so.
If I have an epsom salts bath, I'll run a hose from the bath to the citrus trees and siphon that into their root area.
My Grandparents had their bathroom, kitchen and laundry run down the year through a half clay pipe, to a flat area that became full of trees, and was the best worm patch you could imagine...it was rural, but no-one got sick.
Dunny was a Can with a can man until I was 10 or 11 when they went to septic...thus the drain down the yard
We just used a 220L barrel as an intermediate storage and a siphon to put it where we wanted it.
Relocating the laundry, so need to redo the concept.
Got to watch for salt content, as a lot of the powders are "bulked" with salt to look more than they are...liquids less so.
If I have an epsom salts bath, I'll run a hose from the bath to the citrus trees and siphon that into their root area.
My Grandparents had their bathroom, kitchen and laundry run down the year through a half clay pipe, to a flat area that became full of trees, and was the best worm patch you could imagine...it was rural, but no-one got sick.
Dunny was a Can with a can man until I was 10 or 11 when they went to septic...thus the drain down the yard
Originally Posted By: JerryBob
Originally Posted By: daves66nova
Originally Posted By: daves66nova
Chris Meutsch said:
Probably not as effective with a front loader, I wouldn't think? Mine only uses about 5 gallons of water each load. I don't think that will be enough to water the grass
In Japan used bathing water is kept for the laundry. After our nightly shared bath, the water was left in the tub. Washing machine had a suction hose and pump for the cold water cycle. Next morning, drop the suction into the bath and do the laundry.
The bath water was only used for soaking. We washed and rinsed our body outside the tub on the bathroom floor. Something wonderful about washing your wife's back and having yours washed. Our tub was wood fired-read no thermostat. Some evenings it was like being dropped into a lobster pot. Very relaxing. I have a little saki heater that uses hot wood coals. During the soak, we poured each other hot saki. Often it was all we could do to get out of the tub, dry off, and crawl under the futons before falling to sleep.
In our rural location the used laundry water was routed to the yard. The used bath floor drain water was routed to surface water. The used saki was routed to the septic tank.
The bath water was only used for soaking. We washed and rinsed our body outside the tub on the bathroom floor. Something wonderful about washing your wife's back and having yours washed. Our tub was wood fired-read no thermostat. Some evenings it was like being dropped into a lobster pot. Very relaxing. I have a little saki heater that uses hot wood coals. During the soak, we poured each other hot saki. Often it was all we could do to get out of the tub, dry off, and crawl under the futons before falling to sleep.
In our rural location the used laundry water was routed to the yard. The used bath floor drain water was routed to surface water. The used saki was routed to the septic tank.
When living with a rain water tank and septic that's what we did. Shared bath, kids first, me last, I had a pump under the house, drop the hose into the bath and pump it into the washing machine...rinse was with fresh water. Only the toilet and sink went into the septic tank. The washing water went into a separate tank, and in summer I used that on the garden, in winter drained to the bottom of the section and into a stream, which fed into a swamp.
My garden got worse and worse each year until I figured it was my water. Soap (we only used soap) is alkaline, and although NZ soil is acid, it took it too far the other way.
My garden got worse and worse each year until I figured it was my water. Soap (we only used soap) is alkaline, and although NZ soil is acid, it took it too far the other way.
Can't imagine someone giving someone [censored] for NOT watering their grass in Cal!
Also, can't imagine having to worry about water usage. First thing I did when I got our speed queen top loader was open the panel to adjust it so the water would fill completely to the top like it supposed to before the government stuck their noses into my laundry.
I personally wouldn't think twice using laundry water to water my lawn if I was in a situation that required conservation. Bleach breaks down within a minute of light exposure and is a non-issue IMO.
Also, can't imagine having to worry about water usage. First thing I did when I got our speed queen top loader was open the panel to adjust it so the water would fill completely to the top like it supposed to before the government stuck their noses into my laundry.
I personally wouldn't think twice using laundry water to water my lawn if I was in a situation that required conservation. Bleach breaks down within a minute of light exposure and is a non-issue IMO.
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We simply designed our septic system to be capable of handling everything, including bath and washing machine water.
Originally Posted By: Kory
I personally wouldn't think twice using laundry water to water my lawn if I was in a situation that required conservation. Bleach breaks down within a minute of light exposure and is a non-issue IMO.
Interesting. My dad uses a bleach in a sprayer to kill weeds and grass around the house, barn and garage, and it works quite effectively. I wonder why it doesn't magically "break down" within a minute after spraying it?
I also am curious as to why, when I Google "Using bleach as a weed killer" it is a fairly common way to kill unwanted vegetation? I'm also very interested in knowing why Clorox, on their site, recommends immediately rinsing plants or other vegetation that comes in contact with bleach, because the bleach can burn and kill the plants. I'd think that if bleach breaks down within a minute of light exposure it wouldn't harm anything, nor would it need to be rinsed.
Even more interesting is an article on the Readers Digest site that recommends using bleach as a weed killer, along with the recommendation to only use it where no growth is desired because it will prevent weeds from growing where it was used for quite some time. Since bleach breaks down within a minute of light exposure, how do you suppose it works so well to prevent vegetation growth?
Originally Posted By: Kory
I personally wouldn't think twice using laundry water to water my lawn if I was in a situation that required conservation. Bleach breaks down within a minute of light exposure and is a non-issue IMO.
Interesting. My dad uses a bleach in a sprayer to kill weeds and grass around the house, barn and garage, and it works quite effectively. I wonder why it doesn't magically "break down" within a minute after spraying it?
I also am curious as to why, when I Google "Using bleach as a weed killer" it is a fairly common way to kill unwanted vegetation? I'm also very interested in knowing why Clorox, on their site, recommends immediately rinsing plants or other vegetation that comes in contact with bleach, because the bleach can burn and kill the plants. I'd think that if bleach breaks down within a minute of light exposure it wouldn't harm anything, nor would it need to be rinsed.
Even more interesting is an article on the Readers Digest site that recommends using bleach as a weed killer, along with the recommendation to only use it where no growth is desired because it will prevent weeds from growing where it was used for quite some time. Since bleach breaks down within a minute of light exposure, how do you suppose it works so well to prevent vegetation growth?
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
We simply designed our septic system to be capable of handling everything, including bath and washing machine water.
Originally Posted By: Kory
I personally wouldn't think twice using laundry water to water my lawn if I was in a situation that required conservation. Bleach breaks down within a minute of light exposure and is a non-issue IMO.
Interesting. My dad uses a bleach in a sprayer to kill weeds and grass around the house, barn and garage, and it works quite effectively. I wonder why it doesn't magically "break down" within a minute after spraying it?
I also am curious as to why, when I Google "Using bleach as a weed killer" it is a fairly common way to kill unwanted vegetation? I'm also very interested in knowing why Clorox, on their site, recommends immediately rinsing plants or other vegetation that comes in contact with bleach, because the bleach can burn and kill the plants. I'd think that if bleach breaks down within a minute of light exposure it wouldn't harm anything, nor would it need to be rinsed.
Even more interesting is an article on the Readers Digest site that recommends using bleach as a weed killer, along with the recommendation to only use it where no growth is desired because it will prevent weeds from growing where it was used for quite some time. Since bleach breaks down within a minute of light exposure, how do you suppose it works so well to prevent vegetation growth?
Jesus man no need to be so condescending to make a point. This isn't the first time I've read it in many other posts from you. Many make me cringe.
You might be right, I might be wrong. I am however 100% right about bleach and light but the byproducts of the bleach after it's active components are broken down by the light may still be harmful to the vegetation I guess.
We simply designed our septic system to be capable of handling everything, including bath and washing machine water.
Originally Posted By: Kory
I personally wouldn't think twice using laundry water to water my lawn if I was in a situation that required conservation. Bleach breaks down within a minute of light exposure and is a non-issue IMO.
Interesting. My dad uses a bleach in a sprayer to kill weeds and grass around the house, barn and garage, and it works quite effectively. I wonder why it doesn't magically "break down" within a minute after spraying it?
I also am curious as to why, when I Google "Using bleach as a weed killer" it is a fairly common way to kill unwanted vegetation? I'm also very interested in knowing why Clorox, on their site, recommends immediately rinsing plants or other vegetation that comes in contact with bleach, because the bleach can burn and kill the plants. I'd think that if bleach breaks down within a minute of light exposure it wouldn't harm anything, nor would it need to be rinsed.
Even more interesting is an article on the Readers Digest site that recommends using bleach as a weed killer, along with the recommendation to only use it where no growth is desired because it will prevent weeds from growing where it was used for quite some time. Since bleach breaks down within a minute of light exposure, how do you suppose it works so well to prevent vegetation growth?
Jesus man no need to be so condescending to make a point. This isn't the first time I've read it in many other posts from you. Many make me cringe.
You might be right, I might be wrong. I am however 100% right about bleach and light but the byproducts of the bleach after it's active components are broken down by the light may still be harmful to the vegetation I guess.
My parents have recycle their washing machine water for the past 50 years without any problems.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Originally Posted By: kozanoglu
Toilet water would be nutritious maybe but washing machine water for irrigation?
I know you're just joking but human waste has pathogens unless composted for like a year.
Cow manure is okay both because it's been composted and because it's from cows which have different digestive diseases.
You are right.
After seeing hog manure in liquid form sprayed on vegetables I did not think of dangers in human feces.
Originally Posted By: kozanoglu
Toilet water would be nutritious maybe but washing machine water for irrigation?
I know you're just joking but human waste has pathogens unless composted for like a year.
Cow manure is okay both because it's been composted and because it's from cows which have different digestive diseases.
You are right.
After seeing hog manure in liquid form sprayed on vegetables I did not think of dangers in human feces.
When my grandparents had their farm, my grandmother would always empty the washing machine water into the back yard. It was like that till they sold it. The lawn always grew really good where the water went.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: Kory
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
We simply designed our septic system to be capable of handling everything, including bath and washing machine water.
Originally Posted By: Kory
I personally wouldn't think twice using laundry water to water my lawn if I was in a situation that required conservation. Bleach breaks down within a minute of light exposure and is a non-issue IMO.
Interesting. My dad uses a bleach in a sprayer to kill weeds and grass around the house, barn and garage, and it works quite effectively. I wonder why it doesn't magically "break down" within a minute after spraying it?
I also am curious as to why, when I Google "Using bleach as a weed killer" it is a fairly common way to kill unwanted vegetation? I'm also very interested in knowing why Clorox, on their site, recommends immediately rinsing plants or other vegetation that comes in contact with bleach, because the bleach can burn and kill the plants. I'd think that if bleach breaks down within a minute of light exposure it wouldn't harm anything, nor would it need to be rinsed.
Even more interesting is an article on the Readers Digest site that recommends using bleach as a weed killer, along with the recommendation to only use it where no growth is desired because it will prevent weeds from growing where it was used for quite some time. Since bleach breaks down within a minute of light exposure, how do you suppose it works so well to prevent vegetation growth?
Jesus man no need to be so condescending to make a point. This isn't the first time I've read it in many other posts from you. Many make me cringe.
You might be right, I might be wrong. I am however 100% right about bleach and light but the byproducts of the bleach after it's active components are broken down by the light may still be harmful to the vegetation I guess.
You're absolutely right. UV, heat, and certain metals like Ni and Cu all can increase the rate of decomposition of bleach.
That's precisely why it is sold in opaque plastic containers too.
It's half life may be longer than a few hours or a day, but on vegetation in hot direct sun, it won't be that long...
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
We simply designed our septic system to be capable of handling everything, including bath and washing machine water.
Originally Posted By: Kory
I personally wouldn't think twice using laundry water to water my lawn if I was in a situation that required conservation. Bleach breaks down within a minute of light exposure and is a non-issue IMO.
Interesting. My dad uses a bleach in a sprayer to kill weeds and grass around the house, barn and garage, and it works quite effectively. I wonder why it doesn't magically "break down" within a minute after spraying it?
I also am curious as to why, when I Google "Using bleach as a weed killer" it is a fairly common way to kill unwanted vegetation? I'm also very interested in knowing why Clorox, on their site, recommends immediately rinsing plants or other vegetation that comes in contact with bleach, because the bleach can burn and kill the plants. I'd think that if bleach breaks down within a minute of light exposure it wouldn't harm anything, nor would it need to be rinsed.
Even more interesting is an article on the Readers Digest site that recommends using bleach as a weed killer, along with the recommendation to only use it where no growth is desired because it will prevent weeds from growing where it was used for quite some time. Since bleach breaks down within a minute of light exposure, how do you suppose it works so well to prevent vegetation growth?
Jesus man no need to be so condescending to make a point. This isn't the first time I've read it in many other posts from you. Many make me cringe.
You might be right, I might be wrong. I am however 100% right about bleach and light but the byproducts of the bleach after it's active components are broken down by the light may still be harmful to the vegetation I guess.
You're absolutely right. UV, heat, and certain metals like Ni and Cu all can increase the rate of decomposition of bleach.
That's precisely why it is sold in opaque plastic containers too.
It's half life may be longer than a few hours or a day, but on vegetation in hot direct sun, it won't be that long...
Originally Posted By: DoiInthanon
In Japan used bathing water is kept for the laundry. After our nightly shared bath, the water was left in the tub. Washing machine had a suction hose and pump for the cold water cycle. Next morning, drop the suction into the bath and do the laundry.
The bath water was only used for soaking. We washed and rinsed our body outside the tub on the bathroom floor. Something wonderful about washing your wife's back and having yours washed. Our tub was wood fired-read no thermostat. Some evenings it was like being dropped into a lobster pot. Very relaxing. I have a little saki heater that uses hot wood coals. During the soak, we poured each other hot saki. Often it was all we could do to get out of the tub, dry off, and crawl under the futons before falling to sleep.
In our rural location the used laundry water was routed to the yard. The used bath floor drain water was routed to surface water. The used saki was routed to the septic tank.
Wow
In Japan used bathing water is kept for the laundry. After our nightly shared bath, the water was left in the tub. Washing machine had a suction hose and pump for the cold water cycle. Next morning, drop the suction into the bath and do the laundry.
The bath water was only used for soaking. We washed and rinsed our body outside the tub on the bathroom floor. Something wonderful about washing your wife's back and having yours washed. Our tub was wood fired-read no thermostat. Some evenings it was like being dropped into a lobster pot. Very relaxing. I have a little saki heater that uses hot wood coals. During the soak, we poured each other hot saki. Often it was all we could do to get out of the tub, dry off, and crawl under the futons before falling to sleep.
In our rural location the used laundry water was routed to the yard. The used bath floor drain water was routed to surface water. The used saki was routed to the septic tank.
Wow
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I know it's still water, but these new efficient top loader/front loaders hardly use any water at all, but it's still water nonetheless. The older style washers used a butt load of water, and I did that at my older house here in Oklahoma. Just take the discharge pipe from the washer, attache an equivalent size hose to it and let it just drain in the yard. Worked well, but my newer house with a new efficient washer, I'm not really seeing the point. On the base here, we are now in the process of creating an infrastructure to take the effulent from the waste water treatment plant to irrigate the golf course. Average flow is about 1-2 mgd. This is a tertiary plant and that effulent almost makes safe drinking water standards. The problem we've had is convincing the State that it's OK. They want us to put signs all over the place detailing that it's not for human consumption, but you know the general public will freak out. I can see a mother out there screaming "What about the kids???". My experience has been that the younger generation is OK with it, but the elders, not so much. It's the old school mentality that we're dealing with. And on a golf course, most of the customers are elders, and they are mostly retired with some rank and some politics left in them. It's almost akin to the 3K mile oil change. But, we'll get there. I mean, 2 mgd??? HUGE amount of water. But with that also comes other problems involving water rights. That effuluent flows down a creek that is used by farmers. Just issues you got to work through.
Our former house had a nice crawl space underneath, (no basement) and I re-routed the laundry water as well as the shower/bath water to flow outside. It worked perfectly as the house sat on a little hill and I could simply move the hose around the yard which kept the grass green and nice all summer long. The only water that went into the septic tank was the kitchen sink, the bathroom sink and the toilet.
The house we live in now sits on a poured slab with no crawl space, so it would be very hard to re-route the water. Even our laundry room is basically in the middle of the house, so to run the washing machine water outside would require some major renovations.
I've thought of putting a washing machine on the back patio, but the wife won't allow it, saying it would look too "redneck." Plus, we'd have to wash everything in cold water which, while fine with me, is not fine with her, (for reasons I don't understand).
So, I live by the adage: "When Mama's happy, everybody is happy."
At my mother's house, we put a washer/dryer set up out in the shed. It drains directly behind the shed, so I use that area to start seedling orange trees that I'm using to reset out in the orange grove. I simply made "channels" in the dirt and the water flows all around my seedlings and keeps them watered till they are ready to plant. I've got over 50 in there right now that will be ready to transplant in about a month.
The house we live in now sits on a poured slab with no crawl space, so it would be very hard to re-route the water. Even our laundry room is basically in the middle of the house, so to run the washing machine water outside would require some major renovations.
I've thought of putting a washing machine on the back patio, but the wife won't allow it, saying it would look too "redneck." Plus, we'd have to wash everything in cold water which, while fine with me, is not fine with her, (for reasons I don't understand).
So, I live by the adage: "When Mama's happy, everybody is happy."
At my mother's house, we put a washer/dryer set up out in the shed. It drains directly behind the shed, so I use that area to start seedling orange trees that I'm using to reset out in the orange grove. I simply made "channels" in the dirt and the water flows all around my seedlings and keeps them watered till they are ready to plant. I've got over 50 in there right now that will be ready to transplant in about a month.
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Originally Posted By: Schmoe
This is a tertiary plant and that effulent almost makes safe drinking water standards.
I actually drank some treated water by accident one time. It tasted like an old shoe that had walked through a field of sadness.
This is a tertiary plant and that effulent almost makes safe drinking water standards.
I actually drank some treated water by accident one time. It tasted like an old shoe that had walked through a field of sadness.
Notice I said almost. Just about the only difference is that the effuluent has to be de-chlorinated before released into the creek. Lots of places, Wichita Falls Texas, are re-using their waste water for drinking water. About the only thing you got to do is run it through a reverse osmosis filter system and you can't even tell the difference. This will be more common place in the future. A good friend told me that one day, water will be worth more than gold....he may be right.
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