How do I make my RV toilet not stink?

Author: Chadd Mraz  |  Last update: Tuesday, April 8, 2025

The longer you wait to clean the toilet, the more stink it'll hold onto until eventually, the smell fills the entire RV. Fortunately, this is super easy to fix. A simple cleaning with an antiseptic bathroom wipe should get rid of the smell in no time. Just be sure you get every nook and cranny.

How to stop RV toilet from smelling?

Open windows and use fans to circulate air and reduce odors. Use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to neutralize odors. Pour it into the toilet and let it sit for a few hours before flushing. Use air fresheners specifically designed for RVs or natural options like essential oils to mask any lingering smells.

What is the best deodorizer for RV toilets?

We use a home brew mixture of Pine-Sol Cleaner (generic brand) Downy Fabric Softener (generic brand) and Borax. We never have issues with odors of any kind. I used to add Ammonia to the above mixture until I witnessed Heather cleaning the RV toilet with Bleach. Now, I no longer add the ammonia.

Why does my RV bathroom smell like sewer?

When RVs sit too long they can begin to smell like a sewer. This sell comes from the water in the p-trap evaporating and allowing sewer gases from the black and grey tanks from coming up the drains and back into your RV. We can fix this smell by restoring the water seal in the p-trap with RV antifreeze. Pour about a.

How do I stop my toilet from smelling like sewer?

White vinegar and baking soda in equal parts are a cost-efficient and effective means of getting rid of odors in a toilet. Add them to the tank, mix them in and then use the toilet brush to gently scrub the tank. Let it sit for a few hours, scrub the tank again and flush.

RV SMELLS BAD? HOW TO FIX RV BAD SMELL / BLACK TANK

What neutralizes the smell of sewage?

Charcoal-based odor absorbers or baking soda can be placed near the source of the odor or in the affected rooms to absorb and neutralize the smell.

How do I get rid of the lingering smell in my toilet?

Pouring a mixture of baking soda and vinegar or any proprietary Drain Cleaner down the drain followed by hot water, can help eliminate these odours. Make sure to clean hair, soap scum and any other obstacle to drainage from drain covers.

How to get sewage smell out of camper?

AS far as chemicals I would use a product called Happy Camper it can be found on amazon, get the tanks 3/4 full, for the black tank dump several bags of ice down the toilet and then drive the unit the more bumps and turns the better, the ice will help scrub the tank, then let sit for several hours drain and repeat if ...

How to keep RV septic from smelling?

Here are tips for avoiding situations that would result in bad odors and pipe blockage.
  1. Don't Let the Tank Run Dry. Letting your black tank run dry can result in a host of problems. ...
  2. Prevent Clogging. ...
  3. Clean the Toilet & Flapper Often. ...
  4. Empty the Sewer Tank Whenever You Can. ...
  5. Have a Good Ventilation System. ...
  6. Use Fabric Softener.

Why does my trailer house smell like sewer?

All drain systems in your house must be properly vented to prevent sewage gasses from seeping into your home. A clogged vent pipe can prevent sewer-smelling air from leaving your home. This situation often results in leaking odors, and they typically come from the walls around the vent pipe.

How to make RV toilet deodorizer?

And now, the special recipe
  1. Use a clean, empty one-gallon plastic jug or bottle.
  2. Measure 40 ounces of Pine-Sol (or similar pine oil cleaner) into the jug or bottle.
  3. Add eight ounces of Calgon Bath Pearls to the jug or bottle.
  4. Slowly add water to the jug or bottle. ...
  5. Put the cap on the jug or bottle and shake.

How do I make my camping toilet not smell?

Vinegar-based solutions act as a natural deodorizer and cleaner too. You can absorb odors by putting down some baking soda in the holding tank to absorb moisture and neutralize odors naturally. Or, place bags of activated charcoal inside the unit to absorb odors.

What can I put in my toilet tank to make it smell better?

White vinegar and baking soda in equal parts is a cost-efficient and effective means of getting rid odors in a toilet. Add them to the tank, mix them in and then use the toilet brush to gently scrub the tank. Let it sit for a few hours, scrub the tank again and flush.

How do you deodorize an RV drain?

Pour 1 cup baking soda in your drain and 1.5 cups of cleaning vinegar over it afterwards. Let it sit for a few hours while it bubbles. Boil a gallon of water and then pour the hot water down the drain. May need to do it twice depending on how bad yours is, but I just dealt with the same issue and it worked beautifully!

How do I keep my toilet from smelling good?

Use a toilet deodorizer or air freshener. In addition to that, you can place detergent powder/softener in the cistern. So, whenever the toilet is flushed, the scented water brings a touch of freshness to the surrounding air.

What to put in a camper toilet?

It's recommended to use a liquid or dissolvable treatment every time you empty your black tank. Typical brands of RV toilet chemicals you can look for are Camco TST RV Toilet Treatment, Porta-Pak, and Aqua-Kem RV toilet chemicals.

Why does my RV toilet stink so bad?

Most Common Reasons: blocked or damaged vent, leaking seals, holding tank issue. There are several reasons why your RV toilet may be emitting a foul odor. We're going to look at each of these reasons in a little more detail in order to help diagnose the root cause.

Can I put baking soda in my RV black tank?

Some RVers prefer to use their own homemade cleaning solutions in place of store-bought. This can be cost-saving and also give RVers complete control over what they are putting in their tanks. Some RVers use borax and Dawn dish soap, while others use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.

What neutralizes septic smell?

You can use natural remedies like baking soda and vinegar to address existing septic system odors. Pouring a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down your drains can help neutralize odors. Additionally, adding a cup of baking soda to your toilet and flushing it down can be effective.

What absorbs sewer smells?

Vinegar, vegetable oil, or mineral oil is also a great drain odour eliminator. These substances work much in the same way as baking soda but have the added benefit of being a particularly powerful cleaning agent.

Can sewer smell in RV make you sick?

Yes, sewer gas is noxious, and in high concentrations, it can be toxic or lead to a loss of consciousness.

What can I put in my RV septic tank for smell?

Use more water in your holding tanks to cool them down and cover the waste. Add more bacteria and enzyme tank treatment (like Unique RV Digest-It Plus). Dump more often. Use a zinc-based product to control odors when water is limited (where legal)

Why does my toilet stink no matter how much I clean it?

Even the cleanest homeowners occasionally encounter this toilet problem – an obnoxious odour that leaves you asking, “why does my toilet smell?” These toilet smells can come from an unused toilet, bacteria, mold, clogged drain, broken toilet seals, blocked vent pipe or cracked toilet bowls.

Can I put baking soda in my toilet tank?

Is baking soda safe to use in a toilet? Yes, baking soda is safe for toilets and septic systems. It can also help maintain a good pH in water.

How do I get rid of sewer smell in toilet?

Create a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, and pour it down the drains. Let it sit and start to work before flushing it with hot water, which should do the trick. Another trick you can use is to place coffee grounds or activated charcoal in a bowl in the bathroom to absorb the odors.

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