With all the freedom and independence when camping, the question of where to go is inevitable. At best, you are also self-sufficient and independent here. But how can you clean the camping toilet with little effort and maximum effect? It is extremely important that the toilet is always clean and ready to use to enjoy the camping holiday. In this article, I would like to show you from my experience how to clean a camping toilet in the best and easiest way.
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Cleaning the camping toilet – a necessary evil?
Camping means making everyday life effective in the smallest of spaces. In the camper van and RV, the kitchen and toilet are inevitably close together. If the toilet has now been used, it can hardly be avoided that unpleasant odors get into the sleeping and cooking area of the motorhome. However, this problem can be minimized by good ventilation and proper cleaning of the sanitary area.
A little toilet knowledge – the variety of camping toilets
What types of toilets are there for the caravan, camping van, RV, or even the tent, and what disposal method is required? This is followed by the cleaning and also the selection of cleaning agents for camping toilets and Co. Here I would like to show you the three most common camping toilet variants and explain how you can best clean these camping toilets without much effort.
Separating toilets with or without composting
Liquids are collected separately and simply disposed of directly in the wastewater with a connection to sewage treatment plants, for example in the campsite toilets. Solid excrements are collected and either disposed of dry in bags with binding agents (cat litter, wood shavings, chemical binding agent) with the residual waste. Or it is stored as compost in a compost heap or as a dried substrate, well aerated, over a longer period of time until it is disposed of.
Camping toilets with or without chemicals
The cassette toilet collects all waste in a portable container called the holding tank. Disposal is only permitted via disposal stations specifically for camping toilets or, if chemicals are not used, promptly via a normal toilet.
They are available in different versions and can usually be operated without electricity. The water supply in the camping toilet is then provided by a flushing water tank. This is different from some cassette toilets because they are connected to the vehicle’s fresh water tank.
A camping toilet with a high-quality ceramic inlay has another advantage: the ceramic coating makes it easier to clean the camping toilet.
Bucket toilets: The chamber potty for tent campers
If the way to the sanitary facilities is too difficult at night, you can help yourself with one of the bucket toilets. Many self-built camper vans also use this primitive and ingenious type of camping toilet. These bucket toilets come in different sizes and designs.
>> Here you will find a few different camping toilets <<
You should also buy the right lid, which turns the camping toilet into a practical stool and you don’t have to empty and clean it immediately, for example during the night. A binding agent must bind the liquid in the bag. After each use, a bag is created for the residual waste. Other bucket toilets can also be used without a bag, but then you have to clean them very well and promptly. Unlike the camping toilets, the excrement is visibly collected in the collection container.
Clean camping toilet – be faster than the stench
During the holidays you have other things to do than cleaning the camping toilet. It will be easier for you if you understand which deposits on the camping toilet cause dirty surfaces and how you can avoid them. Here I would like to give you a few tips from my own experience on how to simplify cleaning the camping toilet.
Tip 1: Clean less often with additives in the rinsing water
There are dissolved lime particles in the water, which like to collect on the water surface and then settle on a surface and stick together. This quickly creates a layer on the plastic which, with its rough surface, creates ideal conditions for dirt and bacteria. Regular cleaning removes this layer. Frequent cleaning is not the favorite pastime for a successful holiday.
So help yourself with a little trick: if you decalcify the flushing water in the camping toilet, for example, you delay the heavy soiling effect and have to clean it less often. You are in the field of water care here and can add suitable additives to the cistern.
Water cleaning in the cistern – fragrant little helpers
There are special additives that you can add to the flush water to create a pleasant scent with every flush. The flushing liquid helps keep the toilet clean. Conveniently, the seals are lubricated at the same time so that the toilet lasts a long time. A fresh, hygienic scent in the toilet area will convince you completely.
You are in the area of water sterilization if you want to prevent algae formation in the water tank. From time to time, the water tank requires special care in order to completely remove deposits. Effective active oxygen without chlorine or other harmful ingredients cleans the entire drinking water system, not just the water supply in the camping toilet.
Tip 2: Empty the holding tank regularly
If possible, you should schedule emptying the holding tank as a daily routine. Nevertheless, unpleasant odors can develop during the course of a day. You can prevent this with additives for the holding tank.
The Thetford Aqua Max sanitary liquid is designed for cassette toilets. In addition to the holding tank of permanent and portable camping toilets, it has many advantages:
- prevents deposits on the inside of the waste water tank
- prevents odor development
- breaks down the solid components
Tip 3: Clean the holding tank regularly
Smelly residues in the holding tank can be easily removed with suitable tools.
An all-around talent is the chlorine-free water tank cleaning for water disinfection. As a tank cleaner, it is also suitable for the holding tank, but also for other canisters and containers.
Tip 4: Clean the camping toilet – but properly!
Choose a suitable cleaning agent for the camping toilet. At least the separator or the toilet bowl of your camping toilet is certainly made of plastic. So be careful: household toilet cleaners can damage plastic. Choose mild alternatives or the toilet bowl cleaner, which cleans your plastic toilet gently but radiantly.
Conclusion
Comfort, discretion, and privacy are the criteria for a good camping toilet in your camping scenario. Cleaning should be easy to do, with the right cleaning agent for the camping toilet and a little specialist knowledge, your camping toilet plays the right role: the little toilet remains inconspicuous thanks to impeccable cleanliness.
