We are moving to a rural home and will be on a septic system. In the big city I always scrubbed my old pots in soap and water and then soaked them in a dilute bleach solution. I won't be able to do that once we move to our new location. Does anyone have any suggestions for a new disinfection method safe for septic systems?
You can still do what you where doing. People with septic tanks still use bleach to clean. The little amount you would use shouldn't matter if the tank is working well. But if you are still worried, soap and water is all the cleaning your pots need. Unless you had a virus attack or something?
I have been on a septic tank system for years and have always used bleach. The little amount you are going to use will not hurt a thing.
"Chlorine bleach (like Clorox) is listed as an acute and chronic health hazard. In addition to the damage it can do to your clothing and tools, contact with bleach will irritate your skin and your nose, throat and lungs if vapors are inhaled. Medical conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and obstructive lung disease are aggravated by exposure to chlorine bleach. Though you would most likely be in a well-ventilated area while using bleach, to minimize health risk you are also supposed to wear impervious gloves and safety glasses." http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda Chalker-Scott/Horticultural Myths_files/Myths/Pruning tools.pdf
