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Subject Topic: Toilet Chemicals - Alternatives
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26/6/2020 at 12:10pm
 Location: BIRMINGHAM
 Outfit: LUNAR LEXON 530
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just asking what other people use as alternatives toilet chemicals


lee



Post last edited on 26/06/2020 12:26:31


26/6/2020 at 3:04pm
 Location: Yorkshire
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Only use Elson


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26/6/2020 at 3:11pm
 Location: Perth
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I see that ALDI are doing toilet chemicals in their "Special Buys" next week.

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"quando omni flunkus moritatus"


26/6/2020 at 3:22pm
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Only ever use Elsan Organic.

-------------
XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.


26/6/2020 at 4:23pm
 Location: London
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Not an 'alternative' to toilet chemicals, but I use Elsan SuperKem, tried Thetford Blue/Pink stuff and was thoroughly unimpressed so gone back to Elsan!

The Elsan is biofriendly and 'green' so can use with confidence with any waste disposal method. It also does a first class job in the waste tank, no odours, no difficulty emptying 'solids' that have not broken down!

Couldn't be asked to muck about with 'alternatives' such as bio washing powders/liquids, checking that they are not going to damage toilet plastic/seals etc., and compatibility with waste disposal method.


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26/6/2020 at 5:38pm
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Not really an alternative, but we use the concentrate which packs real small, and last for ages, works out super cheap as well.


26/6/2020 at 8:08pm
 Location: Auckland New Zealand
 Outfit: Toyota Hiace conversion
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Very common down here (Australia and New Zealand) to use sodium percarbonate (the main ingredient in laundry soakers). I have been using it for years and it works extremely well.https://rvbooks.com.au/napisan-and-look-a-likes-safe-for-septic-tanks-professors-view/

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Alan in New Zealand


27/6/2020 at 10:01am
 Location: Worcestershire
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Quote: Originally posted by Harpmaker on 26/6/2020
Very common down here (Australia and New Zealand) to use sodium percarbonate (the main ingredient in laundry soakers). I have been using it for years and it works extremely well.https://rvbooks.com.au/napisan-and-look-a-likes-safe-for-septic-tanks-professors-view/



Seems to be a lot cheaper than the chemicals we use other here. Does it help suppress the smells associated with toilet. At present we use Dometic tablets, but at Ł13 for 16 tablets it is well over priced.


27/6/2020 at 10:23am
 Location: Cambs
 Outfit: Tin tent diddy tent BIG tent
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If you read the data sheets for the various toilet chemical on the UK market you will see that they contain mainly surfactants and perfumes with a small amount of preservative. Elsan Blue is probably the exception which is why it works so well especially when used with solids and in hot weather. The airline and rail industries use it in bulk. If you are emptying everyday then a glug of perfumed detergent is probably all you need if you are fit and healthy. If you are worried about infections etc then wear disposable gloves when emptying the waste. If you have the trots then it is safer to use something that will kill any bugs. As most years I am in my caravan for six months or more I have got used to what works for me. I tend to use Elsan Blue and a squirt of Aldi 2in1 washing liquid. This keeps the tank cleaner than with the Elsan alone and for some reason it prevents a build up of gunge on the inner surface of the tank and therefore makes it easier when emptying. At the end of the day it is what you feel most happy to use and if you feel that you need to use Thetford or that horrible bubblegum smelling stuff then that is your choice.

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'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'


27/6/2020 at 10:45am
 Location: Worcestershire
 Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser
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Quote: Originally posted by birder99 on 27/6/2020
If you read the data sheets for the various toilet chemical on the UK market you will see that they contain mainly surfactants and perfumes with a small amount of preservative. Elsan Blue is probably the exception which is why it works so well especially when used with solids and in hot weather. The airline and rail industries use it in bulk. If you are emptying everyday then a glug of perfumed detergent is probably all you need if you are fit and healthy. If you are worried about infections etc then wear disposable gloves when emptying the waste. If you have the trots then it is safer to use something that will kill any bugs. As most years I am in my caravan for six months or more I have got used to what works for me. I tend to use Elsan Blue and a squirt of Aldi 2in1 washing liquid. This keeps the tank cleaner than with the Elsan alone and for some reason it prevents a build up of gunge on the inner surface of the tank and therefore makes it easier when emptying. At the end of the day it is what you feel most happy to use and if you feel that you need to use Thetford or that horrible bubblegum smelling stuff then that is your choice.



We are thinking of using the sodium percarbonate in its pure form adding a ratio of 2 teaspoons to 1litre of water. Our main concern is whether it keeps the smells away.
Our caravan does not have a flush tank as the flush water comes from the onboard tank so interested in what sort of "perfumed" stuff we could use straight into the cassette and does not affect the sodium percarbonate solution?


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27/6/2020 at 11:58am
 Location: Cambs
 Outfit: Tin tent diddy tent BIG tent
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I suspect that using sodium percarbonate will cause a build up of limescale in the cassette as from memory it releases calcium when it decomposes. Much like in swimming pools that use calcium based disinfection chemicals cause a build up of scale in the pipework and pool surround. Additionally as 'poo' has a fairly high fat content a surfactant would help to stop it sticking to the tank hence my suggestion above of adding washing liquid. My chemistry knowledge is a bit like ancient history these days but I am sure others will have more up to date information that could lead a better solution. Again it depends on how much you use the toilet and how often you empty it. Being on my own means I mostly empty mine every three days so I know what works for me and what level of smell I can tolerate. Obviously some people think that their 's***' doesn't smell and can manage without any perfume in the tank.    

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'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'


27/6/2020 at 11:59am
 Location: Auckland New Zealand
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"Does it help suppress the smells"? Yes
I start off with two heaped tablespoons in the cassette with half a litre or so of water and should the need arise, will add a little more as time goes on.
It's certainly very cheap in bulk, available here at one of the bulk bin shops and the local auction site.
We find that if buying laundry soaker to use, the house/budget/store brand ones usually contain a higher percentage of Sodium percarbonate. Advantage of laundry soaker is that some are scented (if that's what you want), though in the past I've just added a drop of lavender oil along with the chemical.

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Alan in New Zealand


via mobile 01/7/2020 at 11:04pm
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I use aldis green for bottom tank and zaflora for top tank


via mobile 02/7/2020 at 8:20pm
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I really struggle with the smell of the Thetford one ( I think) makes me feel nauseous . Am looking to try something different. I find that the flush pink causes black bits too. I tend not to use a flush one now for that reason but I do need to find a tank one,as we’re going to be staying in a site with no toilets in Aug!

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Gail

Izzy 15.11.02 -25.12.12 RIP my beautiful girl
Lottie 15.08.99 - 07.12.13 RIP dottie Lottie
Millie ? - 03.05.14 RIP beautiful mad Mills

2024
April - Anglesey
Aug - Normandy & Brittany avec les chiens!






via mobile 02/7/2020 at 10:08pm
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We use the Elsan now. Tried own brands but they didn't keep smells at bay.

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Jean

Sometimes a little rain must fall before you reach a rainbow.

The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won't wait while you finish the work.


03/7/2020 at 9:34am
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Quote: Originally posted by gailbonney on 02/7/2020
I really struggle with the smell of the Thetford one ( I think) makes me feel nauseous . Am looking to try something different. I find that the flush pink causes black bits too. I tend not to use a flush one now for that reason but I do need to find a tank one,as we’re going to be staying in a site with no toilets in Aug!





Look at my link further up the page.

-------------
XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.



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