Tanks!

Here at The Great RV Escape we do our best to entertain, inform and help our readers. Yesterday’s post prompted several requests for the “recipe” for the new stuff we’re dumping in our tanks. We didn’t mean to hold out on y’all. Really, we didn’t!

First, we want to give credit where credit is due. Debbie and Sandi from All-Pro Water-Flow here in Kerrville know everything you need to know about your tanks. Check out the company website for a helpful list of tank tips. If you are in Austin, San Antonio or anywhere in Hill Country and have a tank that stinks, leaks or just won’t flow, give ‘em a call at 210-858-8180. (TGRVE has received no compensation for this unsolicited review. So, rest assured we’re giving you the straight poop here!)

Of course, the folks at All-Pro suggest every RV owner gets their holding tanks cleaned every year. While that sure wouldn’t hurt, after watching these wizards work we would strongly encourage any buyer of a used RV to have a professional tank cleaning toot-sweet. You have absolutely no idea what’s hiding deep in the bowels of your rig. And, if you did, you wouldn’t want it hanging ‘round for long!

What are the biggest mistakes RVers make that foul up the works? Debbie and Sandi had the quick answers:

Mistake #1

Flush anything other than septic-safe toilet paper. That sounds pretty straight-forward to us, but these ladies are building a successful business on this common pooper blooper.

Mistake #2

Don’t flush enough water. Water conservation has its place, but if you want to keep your black tank trouble-free, keep your foot on that pedal just a bit longer every time you flush.

Mistake #3

Ignore your gray tank. When it comes to keeping tanks clean and fresh, the black tank gets all the attention. But, truth is, gray tanks are the leading cause of tank odor. As much as we’d love to think the only thing that drains to the gray is soap and water, we all know that’s just not true. Over time, that other stuff can collect and create quite a stink.

Now, we won’t ask for a show of hands, but is anyone guilty of any of those common errors?

We’ve used this space to lament about our one-ply life. And, our bathroom sink drains to our black tank, so it’s easy for us to keep that vast vat hydrated. But, when it comes to ignoring our gray tank, we plead guilty.

That’s where the recipe comes in, straight from the good folks at All-Pro. They say this tank treatment is designed to keep your gray and black tanks clean and odor-free.

You’ll need:

48 oz Pine Sol cleaner

1/2 cup Calgon bath beads

1 gallon jug

Water

Instructions:

Pour the Pine Sol in the jug. Add water to near the top, leaving just enough space for the bath beads. Mix thoroughly. Add the beads and shake, shake, shake until they dissolve. Pour 8 oz into your average black tank. Gray tanks get 4 oz. Add more if needed.

Pretty simple stuff, eh? We all know the cleaning power of Pine Sol, right? And, if you’ve ever been taken away by a Calgon bath, you know how slickery you feel when you get out of the tub. Why not combine the two and put those powers to work in your tanks? Besides, you’ve never really smelled fresh until you’ve mixed the essence of pine and ocean breeze!

This simple concoction is economical, too. We picked up the cleaner and bath beads at Walmart for about $6. A gallon of the pistachio-colored stuff will provide us eight treatments. (We have two gray tanks.) When it’s time to refill, we’ll just need to invest another $3 on the Pine Sol. We have enough Calgon to last awhile.

So, there you have it.

And now, a word from our lawyers.

This publication is for informational purposes only. Opinions expressed herein should not be construed as advice. The particulars of any person’s concerns or circumstances should be discussed with a qualified recreational vehicle technician and/or health care professional prior to making any decision which may affect the health and welfare of that individual and any person or recreational vehicle under his or her care. Pine Sol Brand Cleaner is manufactured by the Clorox Company. Warnings: Eye and skin irritant. Harmful, if swallowed. Do not get in
eyes. Avoid prolonged or repeated skin contact. For sensitive skin or
prolonged use, wear gloves. Avoid contact with food. Eyes: Immediately
rinse with water for 15 minutes. If irritation persists, call a
physician. If swallowed: Do not induce vomiting. Drink a glassful of
water. Immediately call a physician. Skin: Rinse with water. Keep out
of reach of children. Do not use or mix with other household cleaners.
Keep away from heat, sparks and open flame.
Calgon Ultra-Moisturizing Bath Beads are distributed in the United States and Canada by ILEX Consumer Products Group. Warning: Filled by weight. Contents settle during packaging and shipping. For adult use only. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes. If contact occurs, flush with water.Bottom line: Anyone who is harmed by the information or product provided have only themselves to blame. If you’ve read this far, Tanks a lot! Y'all come back now, ya' hear?