How To Clean An RV Toilet? Expert Explains

Toilets in RVs are not the same as toilets in homes. Apart from apparent variations such as plumbing and water usage, RV toilets are built from different materials. Furthermore, RV toilets are designed not to use a septic system or a city sewage system compared to traditional home toilets. That’s why the cleaning products you use to clean your RV toilet bowl will have a great impact on your holding tank. Considering what is said, let’s look at how to clean an RV toilet properly!

How To Clean An RV Toilet?

So How To Clean An RV Toilet? To properly clean the RV toilet, pour 2 cups of water and use 1/2 cup of basic dish detergent into a container and mix them. Pour half of the solution into the RV toilet bowl. Clean your bowl with a sponge or soft bristle brush, then wipe the outside with the remaining mixture.

For those who want to learn more, be sure to read RV Window Seals Shrinking? Why and How to Fix It.

How an RV Toilet Works

A typical toilet has a tank and water pressure, but your RV toilet does not. The blade is opened by a basic mechanical switch, enabling waste to drain into the blackwater container. It opens the line to the freshwater tank at the same time, allowing gravity to fill the storage tank with water.

This system is lightweight, sturdy, and simple to use. On the other hand, it is bad at cleaning the toilet and frequently leaves stains and waste buildup. In the limited space of an RV, removing this and preventing the associated odors is an essential thing. You may want to replace it if it is too damaged due to scuffs from inadequate cleaning or time. On the other hand, proper cleaning will help your RV toilet to smell fresh again.

What Cleaning Tool To Use For RV Toilets?

It’s essential to clean your RV toilet with the proper cleaning supplies. Not only RV toilets are built from different materials (many RV owners have no idea what they’re constructed of), but any cleaning solution that is used for the toilet will end up in the RV black tank. As a result, make sure you’re using non-abrasive cleaners that are used for toilet bowls. That may seem like a lot to expect of a toilet cleaning, which is why we strongly recommend this.

1. Thetford Aqua Cleaner

Today, a safe and effective method for cleaning RV toilets is available from manufacturers that produce the best cleaning agents in this field. This gentle and efficient solution is ideal for cleaning the toilet bowl, worktops, sinks, tubs, showers, and other surfaces in your RV. Other advantages are the following:

• Doesn’t scratch anything
• Excellent for use on fiberglass and porcelain toilet surfaces, boats, and just about everywhere else.
• Removes hard water and spots of iron, as well as scum, soap, and other contaminants.
• Protection of toilet seal
• No bleach included
• It is completely biodegradable.

Take a better look at Thetford Clean RV Cleaner in this youtube video.

If you have Thetford Cassette Toilet in your RV, be sure to read 8 Common Thetford Cassette Toilet Problems.

2. Non-Abrasive Sponge or Bowl Brush

A non-abrasive bowl brush or sponge is the only additional item that can be used to clean the RV toilet. Any toilet brush will do as long as the bristles are soft. If you’re going to use a sponge, make sure that it is non-abrasive so it doesn’t damage your RV toilet bowl.

Step-by-Step Guide on How To Clean RV Toilet

Cleaning an RV toilet is a very simple and easy process if you are equipped with the right cleaning materials. Below we will explain in three simple steps how to clean an RV toilet properly.

Step 1: Use Cleaner To Spray Toilet Bowl

Using a spray bottle, thoroughly coat the inside of your toilet bowl using the cleaner. Wait for 5-10 minutes for the bowl cleaner to dissolve any staining or build-up.

Step 2: Scrub Your Toilet Bowl

After that, we’ll scrub the RV toilet bowl clean with a non-abrasive sponge or toilet brush. However, if you own a plastic toilet, using a soft brush sponge is even more crucial so you don’t damage the bowl.

Step 3: Use Clean Water to Rinse It

When scrubbing is done, flush the toilet a few times to clean it out. The cleaner will then flush down the water to the black tank in your RV, where it will help to break down the waste.

Important: Concentrated detergents, scrubbing powders, and other types of chemicals should never be used on a toilet since they can harm the toilet, damage the seal, and potentially void any insurance you may have on the toilet.

Ways To Keep Your RV Toilet Fresh

Camper toilets are designed differently from home toilets. There are a few steps we can follow to ensure that the toilet and the bathroom remain clean and fresh.

• Toilet Tank Needs to Be Cleaned Regularly

You’ll want to make sure you clean your RV toilet on a regular basis to keep it clean and fresh as possible. It’s also a good option to flush your toilet frequently!

• Black Tank Needs to Be Cleaned Regularly

Your black water tank, not your toilet, is the main culprit why the RV bathroom smells… far less fresh… Because your toilet is located over a large tank containing your waste, a foul odor emanating from the tank is not a big surprise. However, when it comes to cleaning the black water tank on a regular basis, you can keep the stink from escaping.

• Drop-In Packets

Obviously, you won’t be able to have your RV toilet clean during the seasons, but you may use drop-in packets to keep fresh in between cleanings. These specialized black tank procedures aid in the breakdown of waste and the elimination of odors in the tank. Also, they’re incredibly easy to use – just drop them in the toilet and flush them!

• Bathroom Vent Fan Needs to be Turned Off

While your bathroom vent normally does a good job of removing unpleasant smells, flushing your toilet effectively suctions the nasty aromas and gases from the holding tank. As a result, keep your fan running but turn it off throughout the flushing procedure. If the problem persists after you’ve turned off your vent fan, visit our guide on repairing an RV toilet that smells when flushed.

• Dissolvable Toilet Paper Is Recommended

Clogs and foul odors from your holding tank can be caused by using ordinary toilet paper. It can also attach to the sensor in your holding tank, causing inaccurate readings. Fortunately, there is RV toilet paper that breaks down quickly and easily, decreasing the risk of clogs and system failure.

Is a Home Toilet Bowl Different From RV Toilet Bowl?

The construction of RV toilet bowls differs significantly from the home toilet bowl. When it comes to construction materials, RV manufacturers are usually mindful of weight, and most residential toilets are made entirely of thick porcelain, which is far too heavy for most RVs. Newer RVs are more likely to have porcelain bowls, although even in newer models, it’s not uncommon to see entirely plastic toilets.

To be safe, regardless of the type of toilet bowl in your RV, we always recommend using a soft bristles toilet brush to prevent damage to the bowl. Plastic components in the flush ball or even porcelain bowls can scratch if you don’t use a soft bristles brush. Cleaning products are particularly crucial since the cleaning solution will impact your holding tank after it has been flushed.

What is the Best RV Toilet Bowl Brush?

If you don’t use the correct cleaning tools, plastic RV toilet bowls (or porcelain toilet bowls with plastic parts) can be easily damaged. Aggressive tools used in a tough, household toilet will quickly scratch a plastic toilet bowl, perhaps trapping small waste particles and microorganisms in the small crevices.

If your toilet bowl is damaged, you may believe the toilet is clean, but the waste lodged in the little crevices of the scratches may make it appear quite dirty. As a result, many people waste money on toilet bowl replacements that aren’t necessary to remove unpleasant marks.

We propose utilizing a silicone toilet brush instead of a harsh, bristled toilet brush. These brushes do an excellent job of cleaning the toilet bowl’s surface while being gentle enough not to damage it. Scrubbing pads of any kind should be avoided at all costs since they can cause irreversible damage to the toilet bowl’s plastic or porcelain.

FAQ: People Also Ask

Can You use toilet bowl cleaner For Your RV toilet?

Bleach and other harsh chemicals are included in high amounts in cleaners like Lysol and Clorox. Cleaning your RV’s toilet using harsh chemical cleaners is not recommended. Ecos Toilet Bowl Cleaner is a fantastic alternative.

Can I put baking soda and vinegar in my RV toilet?

Yes, vinegar can be used in an RV toilet. Cleaning and whitening the toilet bowl with vinegar and baking soda is quite effective.  A brush for cleaning. Detergent or liquid cleaner.

Can You Use bleach For Your RV toilet?

If you’re doing a deep clean, avoid using bleach or antifreeze, as both can dry out rubber seals and destroy your sewage system. After each trip, at the absolute least, do a thorough cleaning, as you don’t want to keep your RV with wastewater in the tanks.

Final Thoughts

You purchased your RV so that you may travel, enjoy life, and much more. Fixing wastewater holding tank issues is the last thing you want to do. If you follow our proven procedure, keeping your tanks in top operational condition doesn’t have to be difficult, confusing, or expensive.

The Unique Method is a thorough tank management plan that we designed after years of talking with real customers who were dealing with real issues. The Unique Method teaches you how to prevent odors, blockages, and sensor issues before they occur, so you can stop worrying about your holding tanks and more time enjoy the freedom and adventure that RVing has to offer.

Try it for yourself and learn why thousands of campers trust The Unique Method every day in their RVs. We’re here to help you at any moment if you need more information about anything discussed in this tutorial or simply have a comment!