Removing Stink From Camper Water Tank: A Step-By-Step Guide

If your camper water tank is giving off a foul odour, it's likely that anaerobic bacteria are emitting hydrogen sulfide, resulting in a rotten egg smell. This can happen if there is not enough water in your RV's toilet or tank. To get rid of the stink, you can try various methods, such as using bleach, baking soda, or fabric softener. Keeping your tanks clean and free of debris is also important, as is ensuring proper ventilation.

Bleach the tank

Bleach is a sure-fire way to get rid of the stink in your camper water tank. It's cheap, effective, and widely available. While you should never pour straight bleach into your fresh water tank, a diluted bleach solution will do the trick. Here's a step-by-step guide to bleaching your camper water tank:

Step 1: Prepare the Bleach Solution

The amount of bleach you need depends on the size of your tank. For a 40-gallon tank, mix one cup of bleach with four gallons of water. If you have a 60-gallon tank, use one and a half cups of bleach with six gallons of water. For a 100-gallon tank, mix two cups of bleach with eight gallons of water.

Step 2: Add the Bleach Solution to the Tank

Once you've prepared the bleach solution, add it to your water tank. After adding the bleach solution, fill the tank the rest of the way with fresh water.

Step 3: Run the Water

Turn on the water pump and open all faucets. Let the water run until you smell bleach through each one, indicating that the tank is empty.

Step 4: Let the Bleach Solution Sit Overnight

Once the tank is empty, fill it up again with fresh water and let it sit overnight. This allows the bleach to work its magic and eliminate any odour-causing bacteria.

Step 5: Drain the Tank

The next day, drain the water from the tank through all the faucets. Refill the tank with fresh water only and open all faucets again until you no longer smell bleach. You may need to repeat this step several times to completely eliminate the bleach smell.

Tips:

• If you're concerned about using bleach, consider using natural odour eliminators or commercial chemicals designed for black water tanks.
• Always keep your tanks clean and free of debris.
• Remember to empty your tanks after every trip to prevent bacteria growth.

Use baking soda

Baking soda is a must-have item for your camper. It's inexpensive, convenient, and has hundreds of uses. One of its many uses is to get rid of the stink in your camper's water tank. Here's how to use baking soda to achieve this:

First, you need to prepare a solution of baking soda and water. The exact measurements may vary depending on the size of your water tank. For a standard-sized tank, mix one cup of baking soda with one gallon of warm water. If your tank is larger, you can adjust the measurements accordingly.

Once you have your baking soda solution, it's time to flush it through your water system. Start by filling your fresh water tank with the solution. Then, turn on the water pump and open all the faucets. Let the water run until you see the baking soda solution coming out of the faucets.

At this point, you can turn off the pump and let the solution sit in the tank for a while. This will allow the baking soda to work its magic and neutralize any odours. For a deeper clean, you can also drive your camper around to agitate the solution and ensure it comes into contact with all parts of the tank.

Finally, drain the solution from the tank and refill it with fresh water. Again, turn on the water pump and open all the faucets to flush out any remaining baking soda solution. Continue flushing with fresh water until there is no more baking soda in the water.

By following these steps, you can effectively use baking soda to eliminate odours and keep your camper's water tank fresh and clean. It's a simple, natural, and cost-effective solution that doesn't require the use of harsh chemicals.

Keep the tank well-ventilated

Keeping your camper well-ventilated is key to preventing bad smells. The black tank, in particular, requires plenty of ventilation through the vent on the roof of the camper. When travelling, wind can cause airflow to be pushed back down, and the only other way out is through the toilet. To prevent this, you can purchase vents that use the outside wind to help suck the odour out of your black tank.

The black tank requires a good balance of water, waste, and ventilation. If waste doesn't have enough water to help it move freely, it can get stuck to the sides of the tank. This could cause it to not be flushed out when you empty your tanks, and then it could build up, causing a clogged mess. When you use the toilet, let the water run for a few seconds.

Motorhomes and trailers are built to vent black tank odours through a pipe that leads to the roof of the rig. If this vent becomes clogged, those smells can't escape the way they should and end up in your home. This can be remedied by climbing onto the roof and unclogging the vent with a sewer snake or water hose.

The sewer smell can come from several different places, and once you figure that out, it is easier to be able to take care of the problem. Travel trailers and fifth wheels have P-traps, just like our homes, and when they are not being used for a while, bacteria will grow if not cleaned out before putting them away.

Use a natural odour eliminator

If the stench has already spread to the common areas of your RV, it's time to deploy a natural odour eliminator to neutralise the foul smell.

Fresh Wave Odor Eliminator

Fresh Wave Odor Eliminator is a highly effective natural odour neutraliser that uses plant oils to absorb malodors. It is free of toxic chemicals and artificial perfumes. You can either spray it in the air inside your RV or place it on countertops and tabletops to passively eliminate odours while you're out enjoying nature.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a simple yet effective natural odour neutraliser. Sprinkle baking soda in your sink and shower drains to absorb any odours emanating from them. You can also mix a cup of baking soda in a gallon of water and pour it down all the drains to eliminate the smell.

EcoStrong RV Holding Tank Treatment

EcoStrong's RV Holding Tank Treatment is a natural, non-toxic, and safe solution for eliminating sewage odours from your black tank. It uses billions of enzyme-producing bacteria to break down waste, fats, oils, grease, and toilet paper, eliminating foul smells at their source. It also contains natural odour counteractants and light fragrance to provide instant relief from the stench.

CARAVAN Extreme Odor Eliminator

CARAVAN Extreme Odor Eliminator is a highly effective natural odour neutraliser for your black and greywater tanks. It uses a zinc formula that works faster and harder than enzyme-based formulas to combat smells, especially in harsh temperatures. Simply flush one pod into your black tank with some water after dumping the waste, and let it do its magic!

Use water softener

Water softener is very effective when it comes to cleaning residue from your camper's black tank. The product makes everything in the tank slippery, so all toilet paper and leftover solids slide out easily when it's time to empty the tank.

To use water softener to clean your black tank, simply pour two or three caps full of liquid softener into the tank, wait until the tank is full, and then empty all the stinky smells away.

You can also use a combination of water softener and detergent. Mix a small amount of water softener and eco-friendly detergent (dish soap or laundry soap) with some water after each dump, and pour it into your black tank. There's no need for special RV chemicals, as you can buy these products at any grocery store.

Water softener is a great way to keep your camper's water tank clean and odour-free. By making the inside of the tank slippery, water softener ensures that waste slides out easily and doesn't get stuck to the sides or bottom of the tank. This helps to prevent the build-up of residue and keeps your tank fresh and odour-free.

Using water softener in your camper's water tank is a simple and effective way to maintain good hygiene and ensure your camping trips are pleasant and smell-free!

Frequently asked questions