Holding tanks

[camp104]

Has anyone heard of putting fabric softener in the tanks for odor control. someone told me he uses it and his tanks never stink? TOM

[J-Rooster]

Tom, something else that I do is after I dump and close all the valves then add 1/4 cup Dawn and pour in 5 gallons of water. The soapy water slushing around while your traveling will really clean the holding tank. I also have the luxury of having a built in oscillator system in my tanks this cleans my tanks and my sensors. If a person has caked up material they should buy what Ray Chez, suggested in his post. I use an enviromental safe deodorizer for smells.

[RayChez]

Clay L wrote:
Like Barbara said the waste system is sealed except for the roof vent/s. If you have odor that isn't coming from sewer gas being drawn into the RV somehow, you have a problem that needs to be addressed.

Waste tanks stink no matter what you put into them. To me perfumed poop still smells as bad as poop.

There are a lot of out here that use nothing but water and have no odor problems, In my case 11 years of full timing with no odor problems.

Some things to check:
Water in all traps,including washer if you have one.
Air admittance valves on all sinks sealing after dumping.
Roof vents not clogged with wasp nests

You might not smell the poop, but your neighbor and many others in the park do when you dump. That is not necessary if you cared about your neighbors, just invest in a enzyme type additive to your tanks where the solids will be broken down, and you will not have any smell or very little. I have seen some in RV parks that when they dump, they stink up the whole park. That is not necessary.

[BarbaraOK]

bigred1cav wrote:

BarbaraOK wrote:
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

How did you manage to miss West Virginia? You missed a beautiful state with great parks.

I know, it kind of sticks out. Hopefully we will get it this year. Not really sure why we've never been through.

Barb

[bigred1cav]

BarbaraOK wrote:
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

How did you manage to miss West Virginia? You missed a beautiful state with great parks.

[Clay_L]

Like Barbara said the waste system is sealed except for the roof vent/s. If you have odor that isn't coming from sewer gas being drawn into the RV somehow, you have a problem that needs to be addressed.

Waste tanks stink no matter what you put into them. To me perfumed poop still smells as bad as poop.

There are a lot of out here that use nothing but water and have no odor problems, In my case 11 years of full timing with no odor problems.

Some things to check:
Water in all traps,including washer if you have one.
Air admittance valves on all sinks sealing after dumping.
Roof vents not clogged with wasp nests

[jrlebaron]

I've tried many things. What i found best dump, rinse ,fill and soak for several hours or longer if possible. Dump, fill , dump and rinse. Do this at least once a week.

[robsouth]

How long does it take for water softener to "build up". I have used it for 30 or so years, first at home and then in the camper, with no build up. Just wondering.

[jackandh2o]

Our stick home is on a septic system and we have an rv sewer connection. We have used the geo method for over 6 years. The big plus is that the geo method doesn't harm the septic as does most tank products because they use formaldehyde.

Ray

[downtheroad]

2gypsies wrote:
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.

You are correct, my error...In my post above I meant to say 'water softener' not fabric softener.

[tbred]

I would't confuse water softener with fabric softener. Fabric softener will cause a waxy coating and may damage sensors and create a stickiness in your tank.

[BarbaraOK]

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

[2gypsies1]

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.

[louiskathy]

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.

[RayChez]

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.