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Personal Hygiene Habits and Cleaning Tips to Keep You Healthy

by Ri Industries

Personal hygiene habits can help keep you healthy or, when done poorly, can make you susceptible to illness. With summer holidays and borders opening, now is a great time to review some extra bathroom tips to help keep you healthy. 

The University of South Australia has recently conducted a study on public restrooms. In short, it highlighted the dangers of open toilet lids, uncovered rubbish bins and defective plumbing drains in spreading infections in public washrooms. To best protect yourself when using a public restroom, the authors of the study recommend you minimise your time in the bathroom, wash and dry your hands properly, and don’t use your mobile phone or eat/drink. With these precautions, your risk to infection and illness should be relatively low. 

That covers public toilets, but what about the bathrooms in your home? We’ve previously shared articles with tips to help clean your bathrooms. 

Our article, Helpful Household Cleaning Tips: Bathroom Edition offer these tips:

  • Keep your toilet clean and fresh by scrubbing the inside bowl with toilet cleaner, white vinegar or bi-carb soda.
  • Remove hard water stains with lemon.
  • Remove shower scum with White Magic Eraser or White Vinegar.

For organic cleaning methods, read our article Natural Ways to Keep Your Bathroom Clean. Three simple tips from that article are:

  • Daily Maintenance
  • Use Natural Cleaners
  • Safe Disposal

If you’re looking for information on natural cleaners, we have an article to help you too! Natural Cleaning Products for Your Home will instruct you how to use lemon, vinegar, and baking soda to clean different areas of your home. 

Be sure to click over to each article for more details on each bullet point. 

To wrap-up, wash your hands well, keep the bathroom clean, close the toilet lid when flushing, cover rubbish bins, and make sure the drains are functioning properly to best help reduce the risk of infection when using the toilet. 

If you’d like information about our residential or commercial products, please click over to our website or call us at 08 8444 8100.

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Unclog Drains Without Harsh Chemicals

by Ri Industries

No matter how careful you are when using the sinks in your home, inevitably you will come up against a clogged drain. Perhaps the water is simply slow to drain down the pipe or the pipe is completely clogged and no water is draining. Either way, a fix is needed. Calling a plumber is an option of course, but if you choose to battle the clog yourself you have a choice to make.<

Do you want harsh chemicals making their way into your sewer system and eventually into the waterways? Do you want to breathe in the harsh chemicals while they do their work? Bleach and sodium hydroxide are the main ingredients in drain cleaners and are severely corrosive.  Contact via inhalation, ingestion, skin, and the eyes can cause major irritation, vision problems, vomiting, shock if ingested, and even thermal and/or chemical burns. If you need to clear your drains regularly, you are at risk of many potential health problems.

To avoid any potential problems, you will need to find alternative processes that will work to clear the drain without using harsh chemicals. Ri-Industries respects that decision and offers these following options for you to try, based on our knowledge of septic systems. 

  1. A simple and cost-effective alternative to harsh chemicals is to use washing liquid and hot water. When the clog is caused by grease buildup, this is an especially good option. Simply squirt a good amount of washing liquid down the drain and follow that with a kettle full of boiling water. This will break down the grease and clear the clog.
  2. When baking soda and vinegar combine, a chemical reaction happens which will bubble up and dissipate the clog. Begin by bailing out any standing water and removing all debris. Pour 1/2 a box of dry baking soda into the drain and then pour 1/2 cup a vinegar into the drain. IMMEDIATELY create a tight seal with a plunger or stopper.  The chemical reaction will be similar to those volcano experiments at primary school so be sure the hole is completely sealed to keep everything in the drain. Wait approximately 30 minutes and then pour a kettle full of boiling water down the drain. The drain should now be clear. 
  3. Baking soda mixed with hydrogen peroxide will also work. Mix one cup of hydrogen peroxide with 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Pour down the drain and allow to foam. This should remove the clog. 

You can clear a clog and still be gentle on your health and the environment by using the above options. If you have questions about your septic system, our experts will be happy to assist you. Please call us at 08 8444 8100.

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Times Are Dry

by Ri Industries

Adelaide just recorded its driest January since 1957 and water has been in short demand. This seems like a good time to discuss how you can save water in your home. Let’s look at water use in the bathroom and kitchen.

Did you know 40% of all water used in the home is used in the bathroom? To help conserve water and save money, the first thing to do is look at the appliances and look for products with a high star rating. The average home can save approximately $150/year by installing a standard 3-star rated shower head which costs approximately $20.

Some simple habit changes can also help save water in the bathroom:

  • Take shorter showers.
  • Use a timer in the shower to help you keep track of time.
  • Use a bucket to collect water while waiting for the water to get hot. Use the collected water on plants or other household uses.
  • Insulate hot water pipes.
  • Do not run water while shaving. Use water only to rinse off.
  • Only use as much water as is necessary in the bath.
  • Monitor the temperature as the bath fills to avoid adding water to regulate the temperature.
  • Collect used bathwater to use in the garden or to wash cars.
  • Use 4-star rated toilets.
  • Regularly check toilets for leaks and repair when needed.
  • Turn the water in the sink off when brushing teeth or shaving. Use running water only to rinse.

Another method to conserve water is to install a rainwater tank such as the one manufactured by Ri-Industries. Once the rain starts coming again, it can be collected from your roof and gutters. The rainwater tanks Adelaide can be connected to your toilet plumbing. Then, every time you flush, you are using rainwater, instead of water from the mains. Recycled rainwater is an excellent way to conserve water, plus it will save on your monthly water bills.

Let’s move to the kitchen where around 10% of total household water is consumed. Here are tips to help save water:

  • Dishwashers consume the most water in the kitchen. Look for the WELS label of water efficiency. The more stars, the more water efficient the appliance. Only run the dishwasher when it is full. If the dishwasher has a rinse-hold setting, use it in lieu of rinsing dishes with sink water.
  • Do not run water over frozen food to defrost. Instead, defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Use washing-up liquid sparingly to limit the amount of rinsing required.
  • Waiting for the running water to warm up? Catch it in a container and use it to water plants, rinse dishes, or wash fruits and vegetables.
  • Use a plugged sink or a bowl of water whenever possible to avoid running the tap.

Small changes can mean big savings in water consumption. In dry times like these, it’s important for us all to make an effort. Call Ri-Industries, at 08 8444 8100, to learn more about our concrete rainwater tanks.

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Safe Cleaning Products for Ri-Treat Waste Water Treatment System

by Ri Industries

The Ri-Treat Waste Water Treatment System is an environmentally friendly wastewater treatment system Adelaide guaranteed to be of superior quality. It is designed to reclaim the wastewater produced by your home, recycle it, and re-use it around your home. It is a great conservation tool and a way to save money on your water bill.

As with anything in life, to get the best results you should make sure to take proper care of the system. In addition to caring for the system itself, you should also monitor the substances which make their way into the system. Why is this so important? Substances mixed with wastewater will be reclaimed and recycled and will make their way back into your ecosystem. It is important that they don’t have a harmful effect.

One area which deserves close attention is your choice of household cleaners. You want to avoid putting poisonous materials into your waste water. The following are suitable cleaners:

  • Vinegar
  • Bicarbonate of soda
  • Soap – in the form of washing powder, dishwashing liquid and ordinary body soap
  • Biodegradable cleaning liquids

Disinfectants should be used sparingly. Bleach, antibacterial solutions or toilet cleaners should NEVER be used.  Should any form of bleach enter the system this may cause the system to work inefficiently. The bleach will kill off all the ‘good bacteria’ and can create an odour in the system. In addition, doing two or more loads of washing in a 24-hour period can mean the system may not operate effectively. It is recommended that clothing be washed over a period of time to ensure effective operation of the system.

Ri-Industries is proud to deliver quality products that help residents of South Australia with the important task of conserving water. Please call us, at 08 8444 8100, to learn more about our products.

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Tips for Planting Around a Septic Tank

by Ri Industries

Do you feel that? That’s the sun shining down and warming us up after a cold winter. And sunshine and warmth mean it’s time to start thinking about gardening. For those of us with septic tanks, that means thinking about the plants around your septic tank. How do you know where to plant and what to plant around your septic tank? That’s simple, you ask the experts at Ri-Industries for some tips.

Tip #1: No thirsty plants or trees with deep roots. The root system of water-loving shrubs can become entangled in the pipes of your septic system if planted too close to your drainage field and cause problematic clogging. The root system provides a tree’s primary way of absorbing water, and those roots will extend toward the most abundant source of water in your yard. This means that if a tree is planted too close to a septic system, its roots will grow in the direction of the wet drainage field around it.

Tip #2: It is NEVER safe to plant fruits and vegetables over the septic tank! Eating them might entail ingesting harmful bacteria and you certainly do not want to take that risk.

Tip #3: There is no reason to leave the ground above the septic tank bare. In fact, it is actually advisable to plant the right kind of vegetation to help prevent erosion. Perennials, annuals, and grasses have shallow roots and are good choices to cover the septic tank area. Willow Myrtle trees, Swamp Oak trees, River Red Gum trees, Papyrus shrubs, and Oleander shrubs make particularly good choices to plant near the septic tank.

Septic tanks are not only costly to install, but they provide a very necessary function for your home. It is in your best interest to take heed when planning the landscaping above and around the septic tank to avoid damage, costly repairs, and the extreme inconvenience that accompanies a non-working septic tank.

Ri-Industries produces concrete septic tanks and septic tank lids of the highest quality that are built to last. A septic tank from Ri-Industries delivers many benefits:

  • Engineer-designed and built from fine tolerance steel moulds
  • All horizontal tanks engineered to a maximum depth of 900mm
  • Manufactured from 40 MPa concrete to give additional strength and durability
  • Internally, all joints are sealed, reducing the potential for leakages
  • Available in 14 different sizes, for maximum flexibility
  • Child-proof and vandal-proof concrete lids on our septic tanks give you additional peace of mind – also available as stand-alone replacement lids

For more information, please call 08 8444 8100.

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Laundry Tips to Best Care for Your Septic Tank System

by Ri Industries

Image show woman and child doing laundry

 

What is one chore around the home that is never complete? Laundry! The clothes you are wearing while you are washing, drying, and folding are becoming laundry as you work. It truly is a never-ending cycle and one that can affect your septic tank.

Short of sending your clothes out to be washed by someone else or never wearing the same article of clothing twice, laundry is a fact of life you cannot escape. Most people dread the monotonous chore of laundry and the last thing they want to do is cause problems in their home by the way they do the laundry. Ri-Industries is here to help you avoid common laundry mistakes that often lead to problems with septic tank systems.

Too Much is Not A Good a Thing

Some people like to take a big breath, dive in and get a week’s worth of laundry done in a day. Unless you can accomplish this in two loads, it’s not a good idea. When too much water passes through the septic tank, it does not have enough time to undergo the settlement process to properly break down the solid matter. The end result is that your soakage field could fail, causing expensive damage. Be especially cautious with the number of loads you do after an excessive amount of rain has fallen. To best care for your septic system, loads should be well spaced apart.

Double the Lint

Check your washing machine for a lint tray. Many machines come with one that needs to be emptied and cleaned just as you do with the lint tray in your dryer. Laundry debris and lint can escape to your pipes causing severe blockages. These substantial backups can break down your septic system, so take this tip seriously.

Liquid is Better Than Powder

Powdered detergents use fillers or extenders that can clog the soil in the drainfield and permanently damage its absorption ability.

Again, Too Much is Not a Good Thing

Excessive amounts of bleach and detergents will damage the good bacteria in the septic system. Good bacteria are needed to break down solids within your septic tank.

Excess Dirt Not Welcome

What? This is the laundry. Isn’t this where I’m supposed to put my dirty clothes? Normally soiled clothes, yes. Clothes that are excessively dirty, eg with caked-on mud, should first be brushed off to remove any excess dirt. The dirt/mud can clog the system and damage the absorption ability of your drainfield.

The above tips may not make your laundry chore go faster, but they will reduce the risk of damage to your septic tank system which we think you will consider a big plus. If you have more questions or would like to learn about Ri-Industries’ septic tanks, please call us at 08 8444 8100.

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Which Toilet Paper is Best for my Septic System?

by Ri Industries

You may not realise that sense of satisfaction when you flush the toilet and see the smooth flow of water down the drain until the moment when you flush and feel a sense of dread as you watch the water rise towards the top of the bowl. The instant moment of panic as you realise the toilet is clogged and will likely overflow at any moment. Clogged toilets can cause a lot of damage. This is something you already know. What you might not know, is that the type of toilet paper you are using may actually be the culprit!

While people may think about what is and is not OK to flush down the toilet, toilet paper surely makes every ‘ok’ list out there. What most people don’t know is that soft and thick varieties of toilet paper could create problems for your septic system because they don’t dissolve quickly. Of course, the amount of toilet paper should also be watched. Flushing excessive amounts of toilet paper at one time can also be major contributors to problems and clogs.

The good news here is that the fix is simple and within your control. Only flush small amounts of toilet paper at one time and research the type of toilet paper you use. What’s the best type of toilet paper to buy? Paper that is soft, strong, and most importantly for your septic system, dissolves quickly. There’s even a fun little test you can do at home to check the toilet paper you choose before you flush. Test the paper by soaking it in water for 30 minutes and see how much it breaks down. The more it breaks down the better.

Properly functioning septic systems are important for your home and can be expensive to fix or replace. Taking control when and where you can will help keep your septic system running smoothly for many years to come. Questions? Call Ri-Industries at 08 8444 8100 and we will be happy to help you.

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Can I Flush This Waste?

by Ri Industries

There is a common misconception that toilets are designed to handle any type of waste. The truth is, just because it’s rubbish doesn’t mean it should be flushed!

While it may be fast and easy to simply flush unwanted matter down the toilet, remember, it does in fact flow somewhere, which in many cases is a septic tank. This means that some matter may turn this fast and easy solution into a big, messy problem!

Septic tanks are designed to break down organic matter. When matter is unable to be broken down, it may clog or damage the system resulting in costly repairs.

Here is a list of items which are frequently flushed, but shouldn’t be:

  1. Bathroom wipes – Wait, what? It even says right on the package that they’re flushable! Yes, it’s true they are advertised as flushable, but some brands degrade better than others. There is also the issue of how many wipes get flushed. Often, it is the quantity of wipes flushed into the septic tank that causes the problem.
  2. Condoms – This is another biggie we hear about. While the toilet may seem like an easy, even natural, disposal method, it is not a smart one. Condoms do not break down and will in time clog the system.
  3. Nappies – While they are filled with waste which can be safely flushed, the nappies themselves absolutely should not be. They are made from materials which are intended to expand when they come in contact with liquid, such as ….. toilet water! The problem here may occur before the nappy even makes it to the septic tank. Most likely it will get caught on the way down.
  4. Cat Litter – This follows the same line of thinking as nappies. It might seem a natural step to flush away the cat’s waste, but along with the waste goes clay, sand, toxin, and parasites that we never want in water systems.
  5. Prescription Medications – People often assume this is the smartest disposal method for prescription medications as it eliminates the concern that the medicine may be taken by someone it wasn’t intended for. Unfortunately, by flushing the medicine, groundwater gets contaminated.

This list is by no means comprehensive. The bottom line is that septic tanks are designed to handle human waste. Anything else should be placed in the rubbish. Ri-Industries are happy to discuss the do’s and don’ts of flushing. Should you have any questions, please call us at 08 8444 8100.

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Helpful Household Cleaning Tips: Bathroom Edition

by Ri Industries

Ri-Industries has shared many helpful tips over the years. We’ve offered tips for “green” cleaning, how to care for septic systems, which items should not be flushed down the toilet and more. Today, we share more helpful household cleaning tips.

“I LOVE cleaning the bathroom,” said no one ever! Let’s face it, even for those of us that enjoy cleaning our homes, it’s really difficult to enjoy cleaning the bathroom. No matter how tidy family members are on a daily basis, the bathroom will still be germ-laden. The possibility of your hands coming into contact with something undesirable is rather high. Plus, it often seems that no matter how hard you scrub or how strong the cleaner is, there are just some areas that will not get clean.

Well, we searched the internet for helpful household cleaning tips to make your bathroom sparkle and found the following tips by the experts at Absolute Domestics:

  1. Keep your toilet clean and fresh by scrubbing the inside bowl with toilet cleaner, white vinegar or bi-carb soda.  You may want to leave this to soak for a few minutes beforehand. Give a good old scrub with the toilet brush, then flush, rinsing off your toilet brush when flushing.  Give both sides of the lid and outside the toilet a wipe over with anti-bacterial cleaner paying attention to the flush button and bottom of the toilet which often get missed.

 

  1. When you regularly use your bathroom, you’ll often end up with hard water stains on your bathroom taps. These hard water stains can be removed with lemon. Simply rub a fresh lemon over the water stains and not only will shine, it will smell nice too!

 

  1. Shower scum is made up of mineral deposits (usually calcium and carbonate) and soap scum. To get this off your shower without chemicals use White Magic Eraser or White Vinegar. Simply put white vinegar into a spray bottle and spray onto the shower door, scrub the mixture on the shower screen with and old pair of stockings or a soft bristled brush. Yes you heard right, the denier in stockings gives you that bit of added oomph rather than using a harsh scourer that can etch or scratch your glass. Rinse off with warm water. Squeegee off the excess water and dry with a microfibre cloth or soft towel.

There you go. Three simple tips to help make your bathroom sparkle!

Our other blogs at Ri-Industries contain lots of other tips, or give us a call at 08 8444 8100.

 

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To Bidet or Not To Bidet?

by Ri Industries

Bidets are often thought to go hand in hand with the ultra rich, but in recent years environmentalists have sparked a debate over the benefits of bidet usage. Ri Industries would like to offer some of the points of discussion to help you get to the, ahem, bottom of the issue and decide for yourself if using a bidet fits in your environmental plan.

Perhaps your first thought is, wait a minute! Australia has a dangerously dry climate and we work so hard to conserve water. Why on earth would I add water to a dry process that has worked just fine for me? Well that’s a reasonable question. Obviously, using a bidet will increase the amount of water used during each trip to the bathroom, but there are many factors which show using a bidet may actually result in less overall water usage.

Before we expand on the water usage, let’s discuss saving the trees. What? When did trees enter our bathrooms? Trees are wrapped around that spindle in the form of toilet paper. Think about how much toilet paper you use on a daily, weekly, monthly basis. Now multiply that by the number of people in your household, your city, etc. We use a lot of toilet paper. There have been many studies to learn exactly how much and the consensus is that each person uses approximately 1 – 2 rolls of toilet paper per week. That means 1 person uses about 100 rolls per year. 1 pine tree can produce 2000 rolls or enough toilet paper for 20 people per year. In 2015, Australia had an estimated population of 23.9 million people. 11,950 trees will be sacrificed for Australians on a yearly basis. What is the bidets impact on this? Complete elimination of toilet paper, or at the least, a reduction in the use of toilet paper. While the bidet will handle the cleaning aspect, some may still want assistance with the drying process. Of course cloth could be used, but again, some may prefer using something disposable.

So it seems rather clear that using a bidet can reduce paper waste, but let’s go back to water waste. How does a bidet save water if it in fact introduces more water into the bathroom process? The answer brings us back to toilet paper. What you may not realize is just how water intensive the paper manufacturing process is. According to mnn.com, “Even if water used by a mill is locally sourced, rather than drawn from a municipal system, the effluent from paper production invariably finds its way back into the environment. That means a flood of organic waste and chemical residue which must be processed or, worse yet absorbed, after being treated and dumped into some unlucky river or ocean.” Bidets use a fraction a the water used to manufacture toilet paper; even less than manufacturing recycled toilet paper.

These are two of the major points in the debates about the environmental impact of bidets. What are your thoughts? Would you be comfortable using a bidet if it made a positive impact on our environment?

 

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How Do Bathroom Habits Differ Between Men and Women?

by Ri Industries

Ri Industries specialises in septic and waste water systems, among other things, so we often speak about things that take place in the bathroom. A frequent theme in the conversations is the difference between the habits of men and the habits of women while taking care of their personal needs.

It seems the common perception is that men are not quite as clean as women. Imagine our surprise when we came across a recent study which finds this common perception may not be true. Here are some of the findings from the recent research conducted by Initial Hygiene.

Washing hands at work:

  • 43 per cent of women believed men do not wash their hands at work while 89 per cent of men believed women do wash their hands at work. The study found that 96 per cent of men and women wash their hands with soap at work.

Wipe before sitting:

  • 77 per cent of men clean the toilet seat before sitting while only 59 per cent of women do. How about cleaning the seat after their use? 52 per cent of men and 42 per cent of women take the time to do so.

Lowering the lid:

  • 69 per cent of men lower the lid before flushing compared to 62 per cent of women.

Freshening up:

  • The perceptions on this one might be accurate. 84 per cent of women take time to tweak their appearance in the bathroom while only 70 per cent of men do so.

As it turns out, men may actually be more hygienic than women. Psychologist Emma Kenny, says it appears men have a ‘real understanding of the importance of bathroom cleanliness’ despite negative assumptions placed upon them. ‘Men are instinctually protective and territorial and these natural predilections could well be why they take care when using their own and others toilets,’ she said.

So there you have it. As a business that employs a number of men, we feel it is our duty to share this research and spread the word about the admirable hygiene of men.

 

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Does Laundry Affect the Septic System?

by Ri Industries

It’s time to do a load of clothes washing, but first there are a few things to think about. How to separate colours? What temperature water should be used? Which detergent is best?  When making these decisions, do you ever consider how to best care for the septic system? That’s right. To help keep your septic system in the best working order, there are some things you should consider when using your washing machine.

A Little Bit at a Time

This may be good news or bad news depending upon your view. To best care for your septic system, loads should be well spaced apart. If you’re someone who likes to do one load after another until the week’s laundry is done in just one day, you might want to have another think. When too much water passes through the septic tank, it does not have enough time to undergo the settlement process to properly breakdown the solid matter. The end result is that your soakage field fails, causing expensive damages.

Clean Out BOTH Lint Trays

You probably clean out the dryer lint tray already, but did you know the washing machine has a lint tray also? Laundry debris and lint can escape to your pipes causing severe blockages. These substantial backups can break down your septic system, so take this tip seriously.

Go Au Natural

Antibacterial ingredients that are found in many household cleaners can hurt your septic system because they kill the good bacteria needed to break down waste in the tank. This applies to your washing detergent as well. Powders tend to contain clay and fillers that promote clogs. Choose all natural cleaners and avoid these concerns.

Have more questions about how laundry affects your septic system? Give Ri Industries a call at 08 8444 8100