Cleaning Methods -- Toilet

[Air Cruiser]

Hi. We are about to go on our first camping trip with our "new" (to us) AS, and cleaning it for the trip. I'm wondering about cleaning the toilet and what chemicals it is ok to use. My thoughts are regarding the black tank/hose and the toilet itself -- can they withstand the normal chemicals used to clean a toilet (toilet bowl cleaner, as in our home)?

Thanks.

D. Hall

[Jammer]

The main problem is the valve seals which are more sensitive than the tank and hose.

Usually a wet rag or bowl brush is by itself enough to get the job done. If you have a lime buildup then you're stuck having to use an acid cleaner of some type, but you want to try to minimize the contact time with the gasket.

[Air Cruiser]

Oh, I hadn't even thought about the gasket. Do you think white vinegar would be too intense? I use it a lot to kill bacteria in the house.

Thanks again.

D. Hall

[kennethowens]

Suggestion:

mild deodorizer solution

rinse thouroughly 2 or 3 times

stretch the water hose around at the dump station
and fill and dump the black tank the second time while
the hose is connected. when you take the hose off - stretch
it out and rinse it - agitate the hose to "get it all rinsed".

leave about a gallon of mix in the black tank in transit.

[Jammer]

I would think vinegar would be fine and might be useful if there is some scale.

[Air Cruiser]

Thanks so much for the information; we're looking forward to a great first weekend camping!

D. Hall

[NicheVintage]

We recently learned a trick to clean your black tank which will eliminate any orders creeping up in the future. This method is done after you camp. You du p the black tank then put a half cup of dawn original along with one bag of ice in the tank. Drive home and dump again. The dawn cleans the tank and the ice slushing around on the way home acts as an abrasive. We tried this after a 2 month trip and it works phenomenally. Its now a part of our regular routine.

Enjoy your first outing.

[pattimarty]

After dumping fill the tank with water and dump again. Then leave a gallon of water with vinegar in the tank so it is never empty. That's the advice we've gotten from a number of people "along the way." Inside we use gizmo designed to wash dishes -- soft sponge on the end and clear plastic container on the end to hold a mild detergent. To see in detail what you don't want to do....watch Robin Wiliams movie RV!

[Diesel1]

Ice in the tank is most effective, very easy way to keep your tank clean and odor free. I just use a bag of ice and a couple gallons of water. Adios, John