As enjoyable as it is, living on the road in your RV means that you have to consider some important things while you’re off-grid.
And probably one of the most important considerations is sanitation – that is, your RV black tank.
Your black tank holds all of the waste from all your business in the toilet, and if it’s not cleaned regularly, it will start to build up and in the worst-case scenario, start to create unpleasant smells in your RV.
Luckily, baking soda is a simple fix for keeping your black tank clean and your toilet smelling good while you’re living on the road.
Is it safe to use baking soda in a black tank?
Yes, baking soda is perfectly safe to use for your RV black tank.
Baking soda is a common household product that is used in a variety of ways, from being used in washing machines as an odor killer and washing powder booster, to eliminating odors in cat litter, especially in small spaces or rooms.
Baking soda is great to have as a part of your essential RV kit.
Baking soda, warm water, and a sponge help you to deep clean and deodorize everything from coffee makers, to trash cans, to your RV sinks and countertops.
In addition to cleaning, baking soda is also used as a remedy for heartburn, as a kind of homemade antacid.
Another use for baking soda is to clear out slow bathroom or sink drains – they are commonly mixed with distilled white vinegar to form a solution that completely cleans out blocked drain pipes when followed up with boiling water.
How does baking soda react with my black tank?
When mixed into your black tank, baking soda reacts by removing otherwise nauseating odors from accumulated waste over time spent on the road.
Baking soda is a natural, nonabrasive odor eliminator.
It is a great natural alternative to chemical cleaners such as borax or bleach, and when mixed with vinegar in your RV black tank, it will help to keep it smelling pleasant.
It also helps to clean out the lines that connect your toilet to your black tank, thanks to the fizzy reaction it has with water.
This fizzy reaction occurs when baking soda mixes with water, it produces heat and carbonic acid.
This heat and fizz reaction helps to wash out any accumulated residue inside your toilet bowl and through the entire system that links to the black tank.
Best way to maintain my black water
If you’re traveling with your RV, one of the most important concerns is the proper maintenance of your black water tank.
Just like in the home, sanitation should be a priority to ensure the best quality of life when you’re traveling off-grid.
Another benefit to ensuring your black water tank is maintained well is that wastewater tank repairs are generally expensive.
To make things worse, most service providers will not work on blackwater tanks and lines until they have been emptied and sanitized, due to health and safety concerns.
Here are some of the best ways you can maintain your black water tank to keep it in tip-top condition.
1. Dump it only when it is full
Dumping your tank only when it is full allows for a sufficient quantity of water to completely flush out all the solids that are lurking around in your blackwater tank.
Water volume is an important factor when flushing out all waste in your blackwater tank – without the sufficient pressure caused by a larger volume of water flow, the solids will stay right where they are around the minimal amount of water flowing around them.
This can cause something called a “poop pyramid”, in which all of your solid waste starts to pool together and form a thick layer that is difficult to flush out.
2. Use water softener in your black water tank
A trick you can use to dissolve solid waste that is accumulating inside your black water tank is to use a simple household product: a water softener.
Simply take 2 cups of water softener and mix it with a gallon of hot water, then pour the liquid mixture down into the empty blackwater tank.
You can repeat this process for every wastewater tank you have installed in your RV at a ratio of 2 cups of softener to 1 gallon of hot water.
The water softener, true to its name, softens the water in your black water tank.
As it sloshes about during travel, this softened water washes and dissolves any gunk and waste material that is starting to accumulate on the sides and in the corners of your black water tank effectively.
3. Fill up your black water tank partially with water before going on a trip
Before you go on a long trip, ensure that you never leave your blackwater tank empty before you start driving.
If you leave it empty, you might increase the risk of solid waste clumping together because of a lack of fresh water to dissolve the solids. While you’re driving, the water that’s already inside the tank sloshes around to keep it clean.
There are different opinions on this issue, with some saying that the opposite (empty blackwater tank) is the better option.
However, the fact is, driving with even half the full volume of water in your black water tank may impact your gas mileage due to the added weight, but in many cases, this is outweighed by the benefits of an easier waste disposal experience when you arrive at an RV waste dumping facility.
Best products to use in my black water tank?
Here are some of the best products you can use in your black water tank to maintain it and keep it in good condition so that it remains reliable through the years of traveling.
1. HAPPY CAMPERS RV Holding Tank Treatment
The HAPPY CAMPERS holding tank treatment keeps your tanks super clean, and eliminates any strong sewage odors in both hot and cold temperatures.
When mixed with your black water in the tank, it helps to break down any solid waste (even toilet tissues) into a more manageable liquid form that is easy to drain.
2. Aqua-Kem holding tank treatment
The Aqua-ken holding tank treatment has been formulated to prevent any kind of clogging in drains and especially toilet flush systems.
The concentrated formula breaks down solids and liquefies waste so that you won’t get any problems like poop pyramids in your blackwater tank.
3. Walex Porta-Pak Black tank deodorizer
The Walex Porta-Pak is a cost-effective way for RVers to keep nasty smells inside of their black tank rather than lingering around the interior of your RV.
Each portion is pre-packaged so you don’t have to worry about using too much or too little.
It mixes with the water and waste in your black tank, quickly breaking down any solids and tissue paper waste that have started to accumulate so your black water remains liquefied and easy to dispose of.
FAQ
How do you deal with a smelly black RV tank?
Your RV black tank is supposed to somewhat smell, because it contains accumulated human waste and tissue paper waste.
However, the inbuilt seals across the entire toilet system keep the smells in the black tank, and prevent any of these vapors from leaking out into the interior of your RV.
If you have a smelly RV toilet system, it could be a problem with the plumbing or the seals – it is best to have it looked at by a professional plumber or RV service provider.
Quick fixes such as baking powder and chemical solutions work fine, but for a long-term fix, get a professional opinion.
How to prevent a poop pyramid?
A poop pyramid happens when the solid waste in your blackwater tank accumulates and there is not enough water inside the tank to dissolve it.
This hardens over time when exposed to air and will eventually be difficult to clean, causing blockages.
To prevent a poop pyramid, you must ensure that there is enough water in your blackwater tank to dissolve the solids as the water sloshes about when you travel.
How do you deal with an RV black tank clog?
A home remedy such as a baking soda and distilled vinegar mixture can help to drain clogs and blockages in your RV black tank and toilet system.
However, if this issue happens regularly, it could be a problem with the plumbing itself, and you’ll be better off fixing or replacing the plumbing system altogether.