Downy in the toilet?

[tmclaren]

I have been reading about using Downy in the toilet to keep it smelling good. Do any of you do this? Do you also use the toilet tabs for RV's along with the downy?

[Grumpy]

There used to be a "homemade" treatment that used Fabric Softener, Baking soda and Pine Sol so maybe that is where the suggestion in coming from. Haven't seen it being talked about in many, many years though.

[Woodworker]

One of the ideas is called the GEO method. I do it quit often.

[SloPoke]

Nothing goes in our Black Tank - besides Pee, Poo and Paper & the water that flushes it down.

If you are dumping into a facility that has a septic system (our winter location) many of those home-remedies are deadly to a healthy septic system.

[Jagiven]

When the sensors act up, I add some "Snuggles", along with 5 gallons of water after dumping. Do this a couple times and my sensors are good.

Never done it for smell.

[SloPoke]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

When the sensors act up,

oh... snorted beer out my nose - laughing out loud.

Our black tank sensor for the past 3 years has been a flashlight looking down the hole... We gave up on the Jayco tank sensors that will surely show empty when it is full... or Full when it is empty and we empty the black tank once a week - rain or shine while on the road.

[Tunce the traveler]

Yes, I have used Downy a few times over the years to keep the oder down in hot weather and you only need a very small amount like 1/4 of a cup at the most. The Downy can be overwhelming if you use too much but it will work.
The GEO method is something entirely different, it’s for cleaning the tank between your travel destinations for a good clean out.

[K Holbrook]

I’ve always used that blue stuff from Thetford, Aqua something. Never had a problem with it and it does a great job deodorizing the black tank.

[Cavie]

Orange Camco packs from Walmart. That's all you need and the easiest to do. 5 years now and no smell.

[Marcm157]

I use a couple of cap fulls of fabric softener after I am done flushing my black tank. I then add a couple of gallons of water. I've been doing that for years and have never had a black tank issue of any type. I never thought about the septic issue raised above by Slo Poke. We camp mostly in full hook up sites but I'm not sure what types of systems the parks have. I am setup to dump at home though and we are on public sewer.

[TCNashville]

I use Calgon water softener, Dawn dish soap and a small amount of bleach. My black tank usually reads fairly accurate. The water softener [not fabric softener] seems to make the tank walls slick so not a lot sticks to them.

[ttavasc]

Have used the GEO method for a number of years with very good results. It was quite effective on the very small holding tanks in our previous 195RB. Here is the link to the official GEO method page for detailed information on what it is and how to use it:

GEO Method Home Page

[RogerR]

I have been using a small amount of softener in my 195rb tank to keep the sensors cleaner plus some liquid that I bought years ago if it is going to be used for some days without dumping. I also use a toilet wand on my hose to rinse out as I don't have a black tank flush.

I wonder if it would be good for the grey tank? Aready plenty of soap in that water anyway. Now if I had any idea of what my fresh holds, cause those sensors never worked right.

[Colorado]

Originally Posted by SloPoke

oh... snorted beer out my nose - laughing out loud.

Our black tank sensor for the past 3 years has been a flashlight looking down the hole... We gave up on the Jayco tank sensors that will surely show empty when it is full... or Full when it is empty and we empty the black tank once a week - rain or shine while on the road.

I had problems with my sensors intermittently working. I filled both tanks half full of water, dropped in a Commander Sensor cleaner and 1 cup of Dawn dish soap. I then drove around basically through town, the stop and go driving encouraged sloshing of this mixture, within 30 minutes every sensor worked and continue to work perfectly.

[collet]

Originally Posted by K Holbrook

I’ve always used that blue stuff from Thetford, Aqua something. Never had a problem with it and it does a great job deodorizing the black tank.

I love using this and we have 7 of us in our RV, no smell what so ever! Best stuff around IMO.

[SloPoke]

Originally Posted by Colorado

I had problems with my sensors intermittently working. I filled both tanks half full of water, dropped in a Commander Sensor cleaner and 1 cup of Dawn dish soap. I then drove around basically through town, the stop and go driving encouraged sloshing of this mixture, within 30 minutes every sensor worked and continue to work perfectly.

I bet it works great a cleaning all the stuff off the tank sensors and makes them work brand new!

I just know that if we stopped our travels and took a day to put all that stuff in our Black/grey tank and drive around the city for an hour and dump. Each and every time our tank sensors were wrong - we would never get to our next destination.

If we dump the black every Friday, flush the black with water and then dump the grey tank behind the black... Life is simple this way

[AKRUEBBE]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

When the sensors act up, I add some "Snuggles", along with 5 gallons of water after dumping. Do this a couple times and my sensors are good. Never done it for smell.

How much "Snuggles"?

[GDBurk]

I don't even put TP in my toilet. It is easier to clean and alows me 100% more room for black water. I put detergent pods in for cleaning and that works well. No odors either way.

[Tony from NJ]

I use Simple Green,. It’s been working well for me. You have to be careful not to use anything that can damage gadgets. Hope this helps.

[RipinSC]

I switched over to using “happy campers” holding tank treatment a year ago. Very happy with it and will never go back to anything else. Eliminates all odors even during storage. Great stuff.