Perhaps you’ve been falling for the oh-so-tempting convenience of flushing your tampons down the toilet. But somehow, you came across the fact that this isn’t actually the best idea and that it can eventually cause issues for your toilet.
Now you’re wondering if there’s any hope for those tampons you’ve already flushed. Ridex is the first thing that comes to mind. However, you aren’t sure if it will actually solve your problem. So, will Ridex dissolve tampons?
Unfortunately, Ridex usually won’t dissolve tampons. Ridex only works for paper and natural fibers, meaning you can’t use it for things like tampons that feature synthetic materials. Try other methods if you’re trying to clear a tampon problem from your toilet since Ridex probably won’t help much.
How Fast Does Ridex Work?
Ridex begins to work immediately after being added to the toilet bowl. The enzymes and bacteria it contains will take about two to four hours to germinate. From there, they’ll multiply for the next two to four days until they reach their maximum numbers. At that point, the enzymes and bacteria will begin breaking down any paper or natural fibers in the toilet.
Before we proceed, perhaps you’ve been wondering about the magic behind Ridex. How does it actually work?
Well, Ridex contains a blend of enzymes and bacteria specially formulated to break down paper and natural fibers.
Precisely, these ingredients include;
- Cellulase
- Lipase
- Amylase
- Protease
The cellulase enzymes work to break down the cellulose in paper and natural fibers. Lipase enzymes, on the other hand, target fats and grease. Amylase enzymes help break down carbohydrates, and protease enzymes target proteins.
Basically, paper, fats, carbs, and proteins are all fair game for the enzymes and bacteria in Ridex. That’s why it’s so effective at breaking down things like toilet paper, fats, and human waste, to mention a few!
But for this product to work, it needs some patience. The enzymes and bacteria have to develop; what we earlier on referred to as germination. And usually, this process will take between two to four hours.
Then, the bacteria will keep multiplying to billions within the next two to four days until they reach their maximum population. The greater the number of bacteria and enzymes, the faster they’ll break down whatever is down there.
How Many Tampons Does It Take To Clog a Toilet?
While we can’t figure out the exact number of tampons that will clog your toilet, you should know that they’ll gradually build up over time. And eventually, they’ll block the flow of water, and if this happens, your toilet will start to overflow.
You see, sometimes it’s normal to find it tempting to flush a tampon down the toilet. It’s the easiest and most convenient way to dispose of your menstrual products. And what could one tampon hurt?
Well, the fact is one tampon will certainly not clog your toilet. But again, here’s another point – once things go well the first time, chances are you won’t think twice about flushing another tampon down the loo. The toilet will eventually become your go-to method of disposing of menstrual products.
And as you keep flushing tampons down the toilet, they’ll gradually build up over time. And before you know it, your bathroom will be clogged! So, while flushing tampons is the easiest, it isn’t a safe way to dispose of them.
And actually, most plumbers will tell you that once the first tampon gets stuck within your plumbing, it becomes easier for other things to get trapped too. And the more things that get stuck, the higher the chance of your toilet clogging.
And with that said, if you don’t want to deal with a blocked or overflowing toilet, your best bet would be to dispose of your tampons in the trash can. Just wrap it in toilet paper and throw it in the bin. Easy-peasy!
Do You Put Ridex in Every Toilet?
Yes, you can use Ridex in every toilet since it doesn’t contain harmful chemicals. Actually, Ridex only features natural enzymes and bacteria in its formula, making it safe for use in your plumbing system, whether that’s in your kitchen sink, bathroom sink, or even your shower.
Plus, Ridex is also septic-safe. In fact, the original idea behind the product is to maintain the delicate bacterial balance in your septic system to improve the tank’s efficiency and thus reduce the number of times you’ll need to have it pumped.
So, if you’re using Ridex in your toilets, there’s no need to worry about it damaging your septic system. It will actually help keep it in good shape!
But again, that doesn’t mean that you can go ahead and apply it to every toilet in your home. It won’t harm. But neither will it make a big difference. Remember that all toilets and drains in your home have one thing in common – they all eventually lead to your septic tank.
And with that said, if your septic tank is the problem, you don’t need to treat every toilet and drain in your home with Ridex. Whatever toilet or drain you choose will eventually lead the product to your septic tank.
How Long Does It Take Ridex To Dissolve?
How long it will take Ridex to dissolve something depends on a few factors; the type of clog, the amount of product you use, and the water temperature. In general, though, Ridex is a pretty fast-acting product.
On the type of clog, some materials break down faster than others. A case in point is paper products like toilet paper. Usually, such will dissolve pretty quickly. On the other hand, things like hair can take a bit longer to break down.
As for the amount of product you use, the more you use, the greater the bacterial count it will have. And the more bacteria there are, the faster it will break down whatever’s clogging your toilet.
Finally, temperature also plays a role in how fast Ridex works. Bacteria are more active in warmer temperatures, so if that’s precisely what the toilet offers, then you can expect the process to take a much shorter time than when dealing with cooler water.
But as already said, germination takes an average of three hours, while optimum replication may take an average of three days. Hence, don’t be too impatient and give it some time to work. As long as what you’re dissolving is within its capabilities, Ridex will eventually do its job just fine!
Can Tampons Be Flushed in a Septic Tank?
Unfortunately, you shouldn’t flush tampons in a septic tank. Tampon’s primary assignment requires them to be highly absorbent and able to keep their shape for the longest time possible. Hence, they’re the complete opposite of what you want in a septic-safe product.
Think about it – you buy a tampon, use it for a few hours, and when it’s time to swap it out, you notice that it’s broken down into pieces, and you’re only able to retrieve it in bits. Would you still go ahead and buy that brand the next time?
Well, most likely not! In fact, you may even go ahead and share your experience with your friends, warning them against using that particular brand. You may even go ahead and write a review about it online. The reason; is that it lacks the qualities that make a tampon an effective product.
And now, it’s for the same reason that you shouldn’t flush this vaginal product in a septic tank. Once a tampon gets down into your septic, it will absorb water and try as much as possible to hold up against the bacteria trying to break it down.
That will mean remaining intact for a longer time, increasing the level of solid waste in your septic and leading to a whole bunch of problems. And as such, it’s best to avoid flushing tampons in a septic tank altogether.
What Will Dissolve Tampons?
The best way to dissolve tampons is by using a plumber’s snake. This is a long, flexible wire that’s equipped with a spiral head. The spiral head will help grab onto the tampon so that you can pull it out in one piece.
If the plumber’s snake won’t help you to remove the tampon the first time, sometimes it takes several tries. Just be patient and keep at it. If unable to remove it, chances are the tampon has disintegrated, so try to flush the toilet. In most cases, this will do the trick.
If you’re still having trouble removing the tampon, you may need to call a plumber. They have the tools and experience to remove just about anything clogging your toilet. And obviously, that means spending on something that could have been easily avoided.
So, the next time you need to dispose of a tampon, make sure to do it in a sanitary way. Don’t flush it down the toilet, as that could lead to many problems. And as already said, proper etiquette dictates that you wrap it up in some tissue paper and then throw it in the trash.
Does Ridex Dissolve Grease?
Yes, Ridex can do the work of dissolving grease. The product contains the necessary surfactants and solvents to break down grease. And as usual, it is essential to follow the instructions on the back of the bottle to get the best results.
Grease is a significant problem in septic tanks because it can clog the pipes and block the flow of water. And if not dealt with in time, it can even lead to the overflowing of the tank. That’s why it’s always essential to ensure you don’t pour grease down the drain.
The best way to get rid of grease is to let it solidify and throw it in the trash. And if you have a lot of grease to get rid of, you can always contact your local waste management company to see if they have any special programs for dealing with this type of waste.
Final Verdict
Ridex is a real lifesaver when you want to ramp up the efficiency of your septic. This product helps replicate the good bacteria that are essential for the decomposition of solid waste.
But as good as it is, Ridex cannot dissolve tampons. It just doesn’t have the potency to dissolve the typical tampon. And so, avoid disposing of tampons in your toilet. Otherwise, you could invite a problem that may mean spending a lot of money to fix it.