Help Choosing Caravan / RV Toilet Chemicals

Yes you should use them. There is a wide range of caravan & RV Toilet sanitation products and solutions available in Australia. Those new to caravaning, or indeed chemical toilets find it daunting at first to know what you should be doing or using when it comes to chemicals. We will discuss those products, environmentally friendly and do not contain Formaldehyde. Remember we belong to the Earth, the Earth does not belong to us ...

There are two main sanitation chemicals used in portable chemical toilet systems that we will discuss. One is for use in the fresh flush water tank, and the other is a deodoriser used in the waste holding tank / cassette. These can be purchased in liquid or convenient solid form.

Whilst it's true you are able to create your own chemicals, the use of bleach has a negative impact on self composting systems and beneficial bacteria. In turn, a negative impact on the Earth.

Safety First - NEVER MIX CHEMICALS!

Thoroughly clean your toilet system before introducing new chemicals. As with all products, read the instructions and use as directed. Always was hands after handling chemicals and avoid eye or skin contact. For more information pertaining to the safety of a product, please refer to the relevant Material Safety Data Sheet or MSDS. These are available from the manufacturers websites.

Solid Chemicals

BIO-PACK Drop-In Tablets

These convenient tablets are made in the United States by Walex Products. They come in a tablet form and are as easy as using a dishwasher tablet. They are formaldehyde free.

They work by adding one tablet to the cassette by either flushing, or adding directly into the cassette with two litres of water to dissolve.

One tablet controls odours, and treats waste in cassettes ranging from 10 to 25 litres, which is adequate form most caravan & RV systems.

Bio-Pack tablets contain highly effective natural enzymes to control odour and liquefy waste (including toilet paper) held inside the cassette. It is completely safe for the environment and septic tanks.

The Bio-Pack drop in tablet will generally last 4 to 5 days dependant on how warm the weather has been.

Odour-B-Gone Drop In Tablets

For those who like supporting Australian manufacturing, then it my be worth trying this product. Again suitable for caravan and RV sanitation systems, it comes in a handy disc form.

Odour-B-Gone will break down solids / paper by releasing oxygen not perfumes. The oxygen kills odour causing bacteria without harming oxygen loving good bacteria known as Probiotics.

Use by placing ½ a white disc (lasts 14 days) into your top tank, whilst placing the other ½ into the bottom tank combined with ½ cup of water allow the product to dissolve (lasts 4 days).

If only using your toilet for liquid waste, then it is suggested to place a teaspoon of natural yoghurt with the ½ tablet into the bottom tank. The Probiotic bacteria found in yoghurt will work with the tablet helping to create a natural ecosystem to break down the waste.

Odour-B-Gone also protects rubber seals found in toilet systems, is non-toxic and most importantly is environmentally friendly and safe for septic and bio-systems (long drops).

Liquid Chemicals

Thetford Aqua Kem Premium – Blue & Green

Thetford in Europe produce some very popular chemicals used world wide. The Aqua Kem Premium range is available in two variants, Blue (pine scent) and Green (citrus scent) with outstanding odour control.

These products can be used by either portable toilets such as the Thetford Porta Potti or cassette toilets such as the Thetford C-200.

Use 75ml per 10 litres in the waste tank / cassette. Add 2 litres of water for use with a portable toilet, and 3 litres for use with a cassette. Using extra chemical will not be of any benefit.

Green needs to be stored at 20 – 40 degrees C, whilst the blue 5 – 40 degrees.

Thetford Aqua Rinse Premium

This product is to be used in conjunction with the Thetford Aqua Kem product. It is for use in the top tank for flushing and should be used at a rate of 100ml per 15 litres of fresh flush water.

Aqua Rinse Premium has a number of benefits. Its main purpose is as cleaner, and prevents hard water stains, but also keeps the water fresh, improves hygiene whilst leaving a protective film in the bowl – all with a pleasant lingering lavender fragrance.

Thetford Cassette Tank Cleaner

This product is recommended for use 2 to 3 times a year. It easily removes stubborn calcium deposits that can form on the inner side of the waste tank or cassette. It is easy to use and scrubbing is not required.

Cassette Tank Cleaner should not be added to the tank during normal toilet usage, for example do it after you get home from your holiday, not during.

Once the cassette have been emptied, use at a rate of 300ml to 5 litres of warm water (not in excess of 40 degrees C).

Footnote:
Until recently, many toilet chemicals contained Formaldehyde as their main preservative agent. Formaldehyde has been listed in many 1st world countries such as Canada and the United States (June 2011) as ''Known to be a human carcinogen'' (Australia will also undoubtedly list it in years to come).

Thetford claim their products to be ''Environmentally Friendly'', even though the Aqua Kem and Cassette Tank Cleaner both use the ingredient Bronopol, known to produce low levels Nitrosamine, which under decomposition, is known to produce low levels of Formaldehyde.

Disclaimer
This paper is intended as a brief overview of pump installation. You should always refer to the manufacturers specifications and recommendations whenever carrying out this type of work.

Neither the author or the publisher take any responsibility or accept any liability from the use / misuse of the information presented. This overview has been produced in good faith, and any errors or omissions accepted.

If in doubt always consult the manufacturer.