With water in the tank, just press the toilet flush valve, toss in the powder, liquid or packets and you are good to go. Treating your RV’s Tanks with Household Products If you want to take a do it yourself approach to treating the waste in your black and grey tanks, you can try that too.
Full Answer
How do you use the RV toilet?
Here’s an easy way to explain one of the biggest transitions between stick house and RV living– how to use the RV toilet and save room in the black water holding tank. Step 1: Explain that only waste and toilet paper go into the toilet – and a very minimal amount of toilet paper. That means no cigarette butts, dead bugs or wipes.
Should you leave your RV toilet tanks empty?
The only exceptions to this is if you are winterizing your RV, in that case you want to leave the tanks empty to avoid damage from freezing water. Unlike your toilet at home which uses a LOT of water to flush the waste away, the toilet in your RV uses a very small amount of water to store the waste in one of two different holding tanks.
Do you need RV holding tank treatment?
While RV camping is one of the best ways to enjoy a weekend, spend quality time with loved ones or have an outdoor adventure, it might be stressful if you don’t have the best RV holding tank treatment. You will need it if you’re looking to eliminate odor or digest waste materials in your holding tanks, grey or black wastewater.
Do RV toilets need plumbing?
There is no need for a plumbing system. Another RV option is a composting toilet. These also do not need a plumbing system or water to work. The waste is deposited into a lower holding tank where liquids evaporate, and solids turn into fertilizer.
How do I put chemicals in my RV toilet?
Once you have a base of a couple of gallons of water in your black tank, simply press down on the flushing valve for your toilet and dump the liquid chemical down the toilet, or add the RV toilet tablets. Your RV toilet is now ready to use.
How do you use an RV holding tank treatment?
0:542:21How to Use Black Tank Treatment || Fulltime RV Living - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo avoid any clumps stir to dissolve the product completely immediately flush the dissolve productMoreTo avoid any clumps stir to dissolve the product completely immediately flush the dissolve product into your black tank do not let it sit and for best results add two more gallons of water.
Should I put water in my black tank before use?
Empty your black tank on a regular basis, and especially before you put your RV into storage (whether long or short term). Use the black tank flush RV feature if available on your rig. After emptying the black tank, always add fresh water and your choice of black tank chemical.
How do you use the black tank treatment on happy camper?
2:504:53Happy Campers RV Holding Tank Treatment | Product ReviewYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what we do is fill up the toilet bowl first with at least a gallon of water tip. In the scoop ofMoreSo what we do is fill up the toilet bowl first with at least a gallon of water tip. In the scoop of the holding tank treatment. And then let that go down into the tank.
What can I put in my RV holding tank to make it smell better?
1:144:032 SIMPLE WAY TO REMOVE RV BLACK TANK SMELLS WITHOUT ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat you do simply add one cup of Calgon. And 1 cup of dawn to your toilet bowl and fill it up withMoreWhat you do simply add one cup of Calgon. And 1 cup of dawn to your toilet bowl and fill it up with water and flush it down then. Add 3 gallons of water and flush it down.
How do I keep my holding tank from smelling?
How to Get Rid of RV Holding Tank OdorRefill the Water to Keep Things Flowing Smoothly. ... Add Water With Each Flush and Black Water Tank Chemicals. ... Preventing and Cleaning Clogs. ... Scour and Clean Your Tank. ... Clean the Toilet and the Flapper. ... Repair Work Needed.
What should I put in my RV black tank?
4:2721:04RV Black Tank Cleaning, Maintenance, Tips & Tricks - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut a little bit more water is never going to hurt anything the two main reasons number one it'sMoreBut a little bit more water is never going to hurt anything the two main reasons number one it's going to dilute anything that goes into that tank. And it's also going to prevent.
How long can black water stay in RV tank?
You should not leave matter in your black water tank for more than a week. Your black water tank should be emptied once it's ⅔ full and/or at the end of every trip. If that isn't possible, make sure to add water to the tank and add a holding tank cleaning chemical to avoid odor and backup.
How do you get rid of the poop pyramid in RV black?
To eliminate a poop pyramid, you need to get water into your black tank. The first thing you should do is close the black tank valve and get as much water into the black tank as possible. If the poop pyramid prohibits you from putting water into the tank, get some tank cleaner to pour down into the sewer drain.
How much water should you leave in a black tank?
Keep the black tank valve closed until the tank is at least 2/3 full. (Dumping the tank when it is less than 2/3 full will not allow the tank to empty properly).
Can you use regular toilet paper with happy camper?
RV enthusiasts Russ and Tina DeMaris say they've found that most conventional toilet paper is okay for RV use. They even developed an at-home test: Fill a jar with water and put a couple of sheets of your favorite brand of toilet paper inside, then put the lid on and shake it.
How do you break solids in RV black tank?
Pour some liquid plumber type of enzyme RV black tank treatment into the toilet. It might do the job of breaking solids down so that a channel opens up. Leave it as long as the manufacturer says. This is likely to be a few hours and up to a few days.
What Are RV Toilet Chemicals?
RV toilet chemicals are bacteria or enzyme compositions that are added to an RV black water tank to aid in breaking down waste and tissue. The beak...
Why Do I Need RV Toilet Chemicals?
The toilet in your house uses a large volume of water to flush waste down a long pipe and into your home or municipal septic system. In doing so, i...
in What Form Are RV Toilet Chemicals available?
Liquid toilet chemicals are added directly to the black water tank by flushing it down the toilet. There are different types of liquid chemicals, s...
How Should I Use RV Toilet Chemicals?
The first thing you want to do before you add any RV toilet chemicals to the black water tank is to add a few gallons of water to the tank so that...
Are There Other Kinds of RV Toilet Chemicals I Should Be Aware of?
The first is RV toilet bowl cleaner. RV toilets are generally made of plastic. They also have a rubber ring that seals the bowl when the valve is c...
Why do RV toilets have chemicals?
RV toilet chemicals are bacteria or enzyme compositions that are added to an RV black water tank to aid in breaking down waste and tissue. The beak down of waste and tissue allows the black water tank to be emptied more easily and helps to prevent the clumping of materials in the tank, which can sometimes lead to blockage.
What is an RV toilet made of?
RV toilets are generally made of plastic. They also have a rubber ring that seals the bowl when the valve is closed. Because of these materials, it’s important when cleaning an RV toiler to only use chemicals that are specially formulated for RV toilets.
How does a toilet work in a house?
The toilet in your house uses a large volume of water to flush waste down a long pipe and into your home or municipal septic system. In doing so, it carries the waste far away from the toilet to be deposited. Carrying away the waste also carries away the odors from your bathroom. In contrast, an RV toilet uses a relatively small amount ...
Why are RV tank gauges so unreliable?
The reason for this is that after several uses, pieces of waste, tissue, or even hairs, get caught on the sensors and send false readings to the gauges.
Can you use a toilet in an RV?
Let’s face it, nobody wants to talk about it, but having a toilet (or loo, or lavatory, or biffie) aboard your RV is the absolute height of convenience. Not having to use campground, truck stop or just public toilets in general, is a pretty great option.
Does RV toilet have black water?
Carrying away the waste also carries away the odors from your bathroom. In contrast, an RV toilet uses a relatively small amount of water to flush waste down to a black-water tank. In most cases, that RV black water tank is probably only a few feet away from where the waste is deposited, so it is easy for unpleasant odors to make their way back up ...
Here is what we think is the best homemade RV holding tank treatment, plus the best environmentally-friendly commercial product to keep your RV smelling fresh
1 Here is what we think is the best homemade RV holding tank treatment, plus the best environmentally-friendly commercial product to keep your RV smelling fresh.
Why is it Important to Keep All These Tanks Clean?
There are other reasons you should treat your black and grey holding tanks besides the unpleasant odors.
The Best RV Holding Tank Treatment – commercial product
While the Geo Method is effective, it is not as effective as Happy Campers Organic RV Holding Tank Treatment. Although Happy Campers is a commercial product it is natural and very environmentall y friendly.
And one last point – Check the Tanks Before You Buy a Used RV
If you’re looking to buy an RV for the first time, you need to make sure the tanks are in good working order before you buy. Check out our RV Buying Secrets for all the tips you need to know before purchasing a new or used RV, along with this article.
Our RV Buying Secrets
Next to your home, an RV is most likely the 2nd most expensive thing you’ll ever purchase.
The Best Homemade RV Tank Treatment: The Geo Method
There are many homemade RV holding tank treatments that RVers have come up with over the years. Many swear by their tried and true methods for cleaning their tanks. We believe the best homemade RV tank treatment is the Geo Method. Keep reading to find out how we utilize the Geo Method and what you need to get started.
What Is the Geo Method?
The Geo Method uses a combination of products to clean your holding tanks. Those who swear by this method believe that the combination cleans the sidewalls of the tank in addition to prohibiting waste build-up.
Ingredients Needed for This Homemade RV Tank Treatment
The Geo Method is a way to clean your tanks with laundry softener, laundry detergent, bleach, and plenty of water. Choose any brands you like. You can use either liquid or powdered softeners such as Calgon or Borax. Use either powdered laundry detergent or even dish soap. And pick up any bleach you find at a local store.
How to Do the Geo Method
The first step to Geo Method’s homemade treatment is to empty all of your RV’s tanks. Then grab a gallon container or bucket to begin mixing and distributing your ingredients. Fill your container with very hot water, mixing in two cups of your softener. Pour the full gallon into your kitchen sink.
How Does the Geo Method Work?
The Geo Method works by cleaning and sanitizing your tanks. The homemade treatment combines softener and soap to wash away the build-up on your tank walls. Additionally, they help prevent any new waste from sticking to the walls.
How Often Should You Do the RV Geo Method?
You can repeat the Geo Method regularly. If you start to notice that your tanks don’t seem to be flushing clean or have a bit more odor, you may need to do it again. Some RVers use the method every time they dump, whereas others just use it as necessary.
Is the Geo Method Better than Store-Bought RV Tank Treatment?
The truth is, everyone swears by their own method. We do believe the Geo Method works better than store-bought holding tank treatments. It’s a tried and true method used by many RVers, both weekend warriors and full-timers.
How to keep RV toilets from stinking?
Keep adequate water in the RV toilet bowl to minimize foul smells in your RV. Keep holding tank temperatures below 85°F as much as possible. If you suspect that the temperature inside your tank has exceeded 85°F, use more water with each toilet flush to cool the tank interior.
How to keep RV holding tanks clean?
To implement the Unique Method, you should: Always fill your toilet bowl with water before using the toilet to help waste flow effectively through the sewer system. Always keep the black tank valve closed, except when dumping the tank.
How to clean a holding tank?
To clean your tank using the Geo Method, first dump your holding tanks. Then dissolve 2 cups of Calgon into 1 gallon of warm water and add in 1 cup of laundry detergent or dish soap and chlorine or bleach as needed.
What is the difference between a grey and black RV tank?
The black tank handles sewage water from the toilet while the grey tank—you may have more than one , depending on the size of your RV—holds dirty water from the kitchen sink or shower. The freshwater tank holds clean water for drinking, cooking, and bathing. Grey and black RV holding tanks need regular cleaning and emptying to avoid substantial ...
How long do you let bath bombs dry?
Let them dry overnight. Once dry, pop the cleaning bombs out of molds and dry them for 1-2 days. Store in an airtight container until needed. Tip: To make these bath bombs effective, use just enough water to make everything stick together. Too much water will change their consistency and make them less effective.
Why do you need extra water for RV?
These measures allow aerobic bacteria to thrive and digest solid waste, as they have enough water to survive in these environments. This method recommends the use of extra water when camping in hot weather. More water keeps your RV holding tanks cool, creating an environment conducive to good bacteria.
Can you leave bleach out of a tank?
Keep in mind that if you don’t want to kill the beneficial bacteria in your tank, then you’ll need to leave out the bleach and chlorine. While these chemicals effectively eliminate odors, they will kill helpful bacteria, which, in turn, won’t be able to break down the solid waste.
What are the different types of RV toilet chemicals?
There are 3 main types of RV Toilet Chemicals. Powder, Liquid and packets. Each type has many variations, but they all serve the same purpose, to help the waste in your RV’s tanks break down and keep things odor free. Read on to get a better understanding of how they work and which option is right for you.
Why does my RV toilet smell bad?
That’s what causes the nasty smell when food spoils and waste in your black tank goes untreated. The best RV toilet chemicals use chemicals to convert the anaerobic bacteria into aerobic bacteria which use oxygen to digest solid waste and therefore don’t produce hydrogen sulfide gas. Some add fragrance and others don’t.
How to keep a tank clean?
Below are two popular “recipes” using household products that can help keep your tanks fresh and clean. Combine at a ratio of 1:2liquid laundry detergent or dish soap and water softener along with lots of water. This is known as The Geo Method.
Why does my black tank smell?
That’s what causes the nasty smell when food spoils and waste in your black tank goes untreated .
How to make a toilet with borax?
Combine equal parts of powdered Borax laundry detergent, baking soda and citric acid which becomes almost like an effervescent grenade as soon as the mixture comes in contact with water. To use, partially fill your toilet with water, pour in about 1 cup of the mixture and immediately flush.
Is it hard to keep a toilet clean?
Just Like at Home. Keeping the toilet clean and smelling good is an essential part of good housekeeping. It’s not hard and simply should be on of the first check-boxes on your list of things to do when setting up and maintaining a neat and tidy campsite.
Does RV toilet use water?
Unlike your toilet at home which uses a LOT of water to flush the waste away, the toilet in your RV uses a very small amount of water to store the waste in one of two different holding tanks. Black and grey. For tips on how to empty your tanks check out this article.
Why do you put paper in an RV toilet?
The paper allows the solid matter to more easily slide down into the black water holding tank without sticking to the bowl. If your RV toilet has a sprayer hose, be sure to explain that the hose is for rinsing solid, clingy waste off the side of the bowl and nothing else.
Why don't you need a house in an RV?
It’s not the destination, but the journey. It’s exploring the world. You don’t need a house because when you travel, you’re home. That’s RV LIFE.
Do you need water for a fast flush?
You don’t need much water for a ‘fast flush’ . Place your foot on the pedal, step down and quickly release. Remind your guest that the longer the water flows, the closer you will be to recycling that black water for drinking water, so flush efficiently.
How to pick a holding tank treatment?
When picking a holding tank treatment, you should look for one that does not harm the environment. Choose one that contains no formaldehyde releasing ingredients. Also, check that the product is biodegradable – that means it will naturally disintegrate or break down without chemical aids.
What is the best way to get rid of a holding tank smell?
The waste digester and odor eliminator is effective in getting rid of holding tank odor. It is tested and approved by the marine and RV world to deodorize holding tanks.
How to get rid of odor in toilet bowl?
A: It’s simple. Just drop it in for the tablet form or pour it onto the toilet bowl. Flush it and then let it soak. The treatment will start working and treating up to 40 gallons of wastewater, depending on the brand. This product is so effective that it can keep deodorizing and treating the toilet and septic system.
What is a Camco 41189?
Might melt with moisture in your hands or environment. The Camco 41189 is an ultra-concentrated holding tank treatment , which is cost-effective and efficient. With it, you don’t have to do the measurement yourself because it is in the drop-in variant. Using it, you just have to toss it and then flush.
What does ultra concentrated do in RV?
The same things are what ultra-concentrated types do. They also dissolve waste solids and eliminate odor in the holding tank. Some RV owners prefer this form because they don’t need to wait for it to dissolve. They can readily flush it into the toilet bowl and then it starts working.
What are the two types of holding tanks?
Holding tank treatments come in two types – the tablet form and the liquid form . In this review, we’ve picked products belonging to these two types. Although they have the same function, they just vary when it comes to convenience of use.
Is Valterra approved for RV?
The Valterra V23128 is also approved by the marine and RV industry. When shopping around for a waste digester, you should be looking for a product that is approved by camping grounds. The Valterra product is approved in recreational vehicle parks as well as in marine and RV dump stations.