Martin's Septic Tank Advice

Martin, from MTS [which, having talked with him, we've decided stands for "Martin Trucks Sh*t"] ran through his Top Tips for not backing-up your septic tank:

• The usual for all lavatories: no sanitary products, no nappies, no wipes [and note to my friend's neighbours, the Moore family, who shared their tank: all of the above, plus no loaves of bread, no toys (soldiers especially), still no nappies (despite repeated requests)] - just normal behaviour;
• Use only liquid washing "powder" [the powder can form a concrete-like crust, as well as clogging up your washing machine], and do a very hot cycle (as hot as it goes) every couple of weeks - we do a hot wash for towels/sheets/tea towels anyway, but will have to buy liquid detergent;
• Bleach is OK in moderation - now I'm much less house proud, I can do that, too!;
• When it starts draining slowly/backing up, time to call MTS - noted;
• Keep an eye on the soakaway once the tank is filled [and fingers crossed that that works fine...]

So nothing revolutionary, but from the tales he was telling us it sounds as though some people really do need a detailed instruction manual on how to use a toilet!

[I suspect when you're on a septic tank and have to pay for MTS to deal with problems caused by individuals in your household, you get tough pretty quickly, and it's only the big utility companies who have to repeatedly get those guys in to clear blockages in the sewers... *Shudder* ]