Using vinegar to keep bacterial growth in grey water tank suppressed?

[andreasduess]

We use a water/vinegar mixture as a general cleaning solution in our home - just the way grandma did. It cleans grime, and has antibacterial properties.

Other benefits are that it doesn't contain any chemical nasties, so I am not worried about using it with kids around.

When looking at black tank supplements they almost all mention corrosive properties, so I am wondering if putting a swig of white vinegar into the grey tank would keep the any smells from there in check without damaging the piping.

Has anybody ever tried this?

[Lily&Me]

Haven't tried it, but it surely wouldn't hurt anything. I just can't get past the smell.

We have had just a couple of occasions when the foul odor I can only describe as dishwater-standing-too-long has occurred. I remedy this by dropping a little Pine-Sol down the sink with some water and it goes away.

I think the reason we don't have grey tank odor is because I regularly clean with Pine-Sol, including the sink, also wipe certain things down with very diluted bleach......which accomplishes the same deodorizing purpose.

I would never use chemicals for the black tank in the grey.


Maggie

[andreasduess]

I'll give it a shot. I know many people have a real aversion to vinegar smell - I drop a couple of halved lemon peels in the vinegar bottle. Fresh, natural lemon smell on tap.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by andreasduess

I'll give it a shot. I know many people have a real aversion to vinegar smell - I drop a couple of halved lemon peels in the vinegar bottle. Fresh, natural lemon smell on tap.

Actually, if you add ReaLemon® lemon juice (the stuff that used to come in the plastic lemon-shaped containers) you can use that instead of vinegar. The acid in the lemon juice should be an adequate substitute for the acid in the vinegar.

Makes your fresh water perfect for cold-brewing sun tea, too!

[Lily&Me]

This is off-topic, , but I'm fixin' to make a batch of laundry detergent when we get home. One that has orange esential oil in it.

Ever tried this?


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by andreasduess

I'll give it a shot. I know many people have a real aversion to vinegar smell - I drop a couple of halved lemon peels in the vinegar bottle. Fresh, natural lemon smell on tap.

That's a really good idea. I love lemon.


Maggie

[lsbrodsky]

A lttle bit of vinegar is not going to suppress bacterial growth, it is just acetic acid. The smell is not that enjoyable either. It will clean scale and crud. Bleach suppresses bacterial growth, good stuff for killing anything bad. Why not just spend the money on a commercial holding tank treatment. They have enzymes and deoderizers. Per tank it is not that expensive unless you drain frequently. If that is the case just put in any aroma that pleases you.
Larry

[Safari-Rick]

Yup, Lemon will do the trick! We use real lemons from our tree. Mrs Safari cuts and squeezes them. then cuts them in quarters so as not to plug up the trip down to the gray tank

[andreasduess]

Originally Posted by lsbrodsky

Why not just spend the money on a commercial holding tank treatment. They have enzymes and deoderizers. Per tank it is not that expensive unless you drain frequently. If that is the case just put in any aroma that pleases you.
Larry

Reason I don't like perfumed deodorizers is that most of these fragrances are not exactly good for human health - we avoid them wherever possible, opting for a natural solution instead.

[65CV]

Have you considered something like this? I haven't tried their products, but have heard good things.