We want to clean our waste tank while driving to our next campground, 4 hours each way. The plan is to fill each tank about 2/3 full with fresh water, add “chemicals”, and let is slosh around during the 4 hours on the road. Then we can just empty the tanks when we get to the campground.Assuming this is a good idea, what would you add to the tanks? We have heard of al kinds of things to add: Dawn, Tide, fabric softener, water softener, you name it.Does anyone know of any good videos on the web about the procedure?

I only use about 3-5 gallons of water with Dawn dish soap.

cpaulsen wrote:I only use about 3-5 gallons of water with Dawn dish soap.+1. That is all that is needed. Anything else may not be good for the tanks or especially the waste valve slide seals and also the dump station you use may not appreciate a tank of chemicals dumped into it. Be sure to add waste valve lube into the tanks after you dump and some water as well. RV dealers have it so does Amazon. Thetford makes it.

You should do a search of " The Geo Method "

A very generous amount of Dawn Dishwashing Liquid, and / or / laundry soap. (a very generous amount ... an overkill), makes lots of bubbles! You can also add some bleach, or bleach by itself. You only need about 5 gallons of water. If you use bleach, make sure you rinse the tank at your destination. You don't want a strong mix of bleach on your valves longer than necessary. No need for store bought tank chemicals. Laundry soap, Dishwashing Liquid, bleach and a good drive on the road. Dump and rinse.

Fecal mater is composed of grease, DAWN dish washing soap brakes down oils and grease, do not mix detergent and bleach, that produces fossgene gas, that is toxic and poison, good 3 to 5 gallons of water plus Dawn or even laundry detergent will work.navegator

Cleaning waste tanks | Good Sam Community

34 Replies

DutchmenSport
Explorer
Sep 18, 2016
A very generous amount of Dawn Dishwashing Liquid, and / or / laundry soap. (a very generous amount ... an overkill), makes lots of bubbles! You can also add some bleach, or bleach by itself. You only need about 5 gallons of water. If you use bleach, make sure you rinse the tank at your destination. You don't want a strong mix of bleach on your valves longer than necessary.

No need for store bought tank chemicals. Laundry soap, Dishwashing Liquid, bleach and a good drive on the road. Dump and rinse.
JimVan
Explorer
Sep 18, 2016
You should do a search of " The Geo Method "
georgelesley
Explorer
Sep 18, 2016
cpaulsen wrote:
I only use about 3-5 gallons of water with Dawn dish soap.

+1. That is all that is needed. Anything else may not be good for the tanks or especially the waste valve slide seals and also the dump station you use may not appreciate a tank of chemicals dumped into it. Be sure to add waste valve lube into the tanks after you dump and some water as well. RV dealers have it so does Amazon. Thetford makes it.
cpaulsen
Explorer
Sep 18, 2016
I only use about 3-5 gallons of water with Dawn dish soap.

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Cleaning waste tanks

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