Holding tanks

I'll second WATER. Why, oh why, won't people listen and USE WATER? As to odor, if the toilet seal is working there shouldn't be any odor unless you are flushing with the bathroom exhaust fan running right above the toilet. Flush, make sure water is in the bowl, THEN run the fan.

Barb

Fabric softener will build up over time...not a good idea. Lots of water is all you need. We don't use additives and have no problems.

20-mule team borax is a water softener. Buy it at most Wal-Marts. It's a laundry detergent booster. Great stain remover for use in bathroom sink and toilet bowl.

After dumping and flushing the black tank... Close the valve... then
I put 1/2 a cup of 2x or 3x HE laundry detergent (Liquid Whisk is my choice)
and 1/2 a cup of Borax in the toilet bowl... swish it around with the toilet brush to dissolve. Fill the toilet bowl up with water - give it another swish...and let it set for an hour. Take the toilet brush and give the bowl a light scrub and flush the toilet. Fill the toilet bowl one more time with water and flush again. Done.

I put equal parts in the bathroom sink, as well. Plug the drain. Add a little water to make a paste and use a cleaning sponge to apply it to the sides of the sink. Let it set for a bit and add water to the sink and let it set for an hour. Rinse it with water. Done.

Now you've got all of that in the black tank until your next sewer dump.


If you have a washing machine... every so often just close your gray valve and do a couple loads of laundry using borax and laundry soap ...with the valve closed. Using Borax in the washing machine keeps it from smelling bad between loads.

I agree that water softners will do nothing to keep the odor off. IF you really want the odor to go away is to use the proper stuff. Happy Camper makes an enzyme that breaks down the solids and turns it back into water. Enzymes eat up the waste and keep the tank clean. Some folks just do not want to spend the money on something that was made strictly for that purpose. Lots of water does not solve the problem either. It will not break down solids.

Fabric softener will do nothing for odor. Fabric softener is used to make the water softer/slipperier so that the tank sensors work better.

Search "GEO" method. Using water softener (Calgon), not fabric softener, and a little laundry detergent to help keep the tanks clean and odor free. Works well. Truth is, all you really need is lots of water and regular dumping.