11 Nifty Tricks to Fix a Smelly RV

RV toilets can be a mystery. Their smell could be especially rife in the summer. We've had the smells and the black tank that wouldn't empty. We've been through it all. Here are a few tricks we’ve picked up along the way. These will keep your RV smelling fresh and clean:

Keep the black tank valve closed and the grey tank valve open

If you're camping with hook-ups, make sure you leave the grey tank valve open. However, you should only open your black tank when you’re dumping a full tank.

This is where you’ll find your black tank valve.

When we first started, we would use a y-connector to connect the grey sewer hose and the black sewer hose to the dump station. We could then dump both at the same time. But the liquids would flow out of the black tank, and the solids piled up. That would back us up pretty badly. Don’t make the same mistake.

Treat your tanks with enzyme treatment

Always treat your holding tanks with a high-quality, bacteria-plus enzyme treatment or zinc-based enzyme treatment each time you dump. Our favorite product is RV Digest. It has no added chemicals, and it’s odor-free. It does not mask; it eliminates the smell.

These are some of our go-to cleaning products.

Trevor loves the pods!

RV Digest comes in powder, liquid and pod forms. The great thing is that you can use these for the toilet, the black tank, or the grey tank.

Remember to avoid antibacterial cleaners for your shower, toilet, and sink. Your tank needs bacteria. That's part of the process that makes it work. We clean our shower using a squeegee and the daily no-work shower spray.

Always keep water in the toilet bowl

Keeping water in the toilet bowl prevents septic gases from seeping back in if your toilet is not full. You can fill it halfway before using the toilet.

Dump your tanks every 3-5 days

Regular dumping is important when you’re travelling. It’s the best time frame to keep your rig fresh and clean smelling.

Keep your tanks cool

Always keep your tanks below 85 degrees. To do this, throw colder water into the tank. That'll help cool it down on hot days.

Clean your black tank and grey tank regularly

This Swivel Stik should come in handy when you clean your black tank.

Clean tanks are essential. Spend 20-30 minutes cleaning your black tank every three to five dumps.

You can use this gizmo to clean it out. You must clean both tanks every time you return from dry camping.

Use a gentle cleaner for your toilet bowl

It does matter what products you use. Make sure you use a cleaner without harsh chemicals when cleaning your toilet bowl. Unique has a natural cleaner that balances with the enzymes. Use this or something similar because it doesn't upset the chemical balance in your RV tank.

The same principle applies to your sinks. If you use dishwashing detergent, use a high-quality soap. We highly recommend Melaleuca! We love their products because they are environmentally safe. We use their detergent to clean our sinks. Instead of using a harsh chemical, we use the melaleuca toilet bowl cleaner.

Deep clean your black tank

Make sure you thoroughly deep clean your black tank. Do it at least twice a year if you’re a recreational traveler and every five to eight dumps if you use your RV full-time. You can use an RV holding tank swivel stick to deep clean your black tank.

Stinky tank? Just add water

If there’s an odor in your tank, the solution can be as simple as adding water. Your water level should be above the waist solid line. So, adding more water will balance everything out.

Keep your tank full and treated for storage

When storing your RV, you should fill the tanks, especially if freezing is not a concern. Add high-quality enzyme treatment to your tank and store it filled. This will keep your tank ready for your next trip.

Keep strainers in sinks

We always place strainers in all our sinks. They minimize the amount of food and grease that get into your grey tank. Honestly, this is the best thing you can do for the health of your grey tank.

Bonus tips

Lubricate sewer valves. Sewer valves could be tough to open and close. This is our favorite product to use for valve lubrication.

Use ice to break up solids in your black tank if it won’t drain completely. Just dump ice down your toilet and drive around. This helps remove the dirt at the bottom of the tank.

We hope these make your RVing adventures a lot smoother, AND less stinky. We can't wait to share more of our adventures with you!

Check out Leila’s complete deep cleaning tutorial in our YouTube Video.