My grey and galley tanks have developed an odor. What is the best way to clean these tanks to remove the odor. I purchased a product that had a lemon smell, followed the directions, and it didn't help. Any suggestions. Thanks for any help you can give.

Bigger question is WHY do you smell them?Whether or not tanks stink there should be NO odors inside RV from grey or black tanks.'P' Traps hold water.....vapor barrierAir Admittance Valves under sinks closing properly....mechanical barrierVent lines unobstructed......venting above roof line/no pressure build upDrain/vent lines/fittings intact...broken/crackedPersonally I have never worried about tanks stinking......they are waste tanks.But I have made sure they don't allow odors inside RV my maintaining/fixing the 'barriers' that keep stink out.Some folks use GEO method in black and greySome use Happy Camper deodorizer/cleanerSome use Dish soapI just flush/rinse.

We use a cup of Borax powder (found in the laundry detergent area) and a cup of Dawn Platinum dish detergent every time we dump the tanks. We add about a gallon of water with the Borax and Dawn. No odors. We used to use all kinds of tank treatment and none worked.

I also have never experienced odors from my gray tank, but I've heard of those who have and it's not a good odor. I'm with oldbisket, there shouldn't be an odor unless you have a defective system somewhere. Masking the odor is just a bandaid fix, and you should find out the reason why you have the odor. Check all items hat oldbisket mentioned...especially the under counter air admittance valve..those are usually the culprit.Good luckRon

Try The Geo Method in your holding tanks.Old-Biscuit is correct. You need to figure out why you can smell the odor from your tanks.

A bucket of soapy water using dawn dish detergent, half in grey half in black and no odor. I read once a man was tossing a bag of ice in his black before he headed out and his odor disappeared, his theory the ice scrubbed the tank as he drove, also claimed his sensor problem went away.

Cleaning the grey and galley tanks | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Oct 02, 2014
Bigger question is WHY do you smell them?

Whether or not tanks stink there should be NO odors inside RV from grey or black tanks.
'P' Traps hold water.....vapor barrier
Air Admittance Valves under sinks closing properly....mechanical barrier
Vent lines unobstructed......venting above roof line/no pressure build up
Drain/vent lines/fittings intact...broken/cracked

Personally I have never worried about tanks stinking......they are waste tanks.
But I have made sure they don't allow odors inside RV my maintaining/fixing the 'barriers' that keep stink out.

Some folks use GEO method in black and grey
Some use Happy Camper deodorizer/cleaner
Some use Dish soap

I just flush/rinse.

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Cleaning the grey and galley tanks

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