Pink non-toxic antifreeze and system sanitization

[tmmar]

If you read the ingredients on the bottles of the pink, non-toxic anti-freeze, one of them is ethyl alcohol. Given that the anti-freeze usually sits in the system for a few months (at least), wouldn't the alcohol sanitize the system? Alcohol is known to kill germs so I don't see why it wouldn't sanitize the system.
Any thoughts?

[Davehrn]

Ethyl alcohol is a poor sanitizer.... the only research done on it was done with 100% back in the 60-70's .... it was only tested on 4 different bacteria and its exposure time was long ... take this same research and apply it to Purell for your hands... it makes people feel good but does little else... stick with chlorine to sanitize... as for the people who never sanitize... it only takes one case of giardia or some other nasty bug to change your mind / life... its like the flu vaccine .... it only takes one case of the "real" flu to convince you to take it every year...

[tiffinboy]

wa8yxm wrote:
You still have to flush that pink c*** out of the system in the spring, this requires multiple flushes, Might as well add 1/4 cup per 15 gallons of bleach to the first flush and 1/2 cup to 1 cup of baking soda to the 2nd flush.

Which by the way is why I used air after the first winter.. No need to flush that out,, But I still sanitized in the spring.

I have owned and operated many many Rv over the last 35+ years and have never sanitized or seen the need.If one watches things and pays attention to there surroundings there will be no need to worry
I used to air blow out lines and only use anti freeze in traps etc
now we always snow bird so no need to winterize

[Campfire_Time]

Here's a question; would you consider drinking it? Probably not. Sure it's technically safe, but I can't imagine it tastes good. Sanitizing is easy and it makes your water system odor free and neutral tasting (if you even drink your on board water).

[wa8yxm]

You still have to flush that pink c*** out of the system in the spring, this requires multiple flushes, Might as well add 1/4 cup per 15 gallons of bleach to the first flush and 1/2 cup to 1 cup of baking soda to the 2nd flush.

Which by the way is why I used air after the first winter.. No need to flush that out,, But I still sanitized in the spring.

[RoyF]

Even with antifreeze in the pipes, you still have the fresh water and hot water tanks where a little mold could grow. I don't think that the alcohol in the pipes would evaporate, but I still plan to sanitize the tanks themselves next spring.

[Fishinghat]

I agree. One thought that occurred to me was that the alcohol could evaporate, leaving some water behind. The water could allow airborne bacteria to grow.

On the other hand, I've never "sanitized" my water systems and never had a problem in over 40 years of boating and RVing. I do flush my tanks with water from a municipal water system that has chlorine, and keep chlorinated water in the tanks. I've never added chlorine, although I have both short (shock) and long life chlorine that I use in our pool. It just isn't a problem.