As any full-time RVer knows, choosing the right RV black tank treatment is essential. The same advice applies to campers who use their RV fairly regularly and, therefore, use their toilet fairly regularly.
If you don’t choose the right RV holding tank treatment, your RV will smell like an outhouse before you know it.
Key Takeaways
- RV holding tank treatments use chemicals, enzymes, or probiotics to break down waste and eliminate odors in both black and gray tanks, ensuring smooth operation and clean tank sensors.
- There are three main forms of RV black tank treatments: liquids, powders, and bacteria-based treatments.
- Liquids are eco-friendly and easy to use
- Powders offer long-lasting effects and easy storage
- Bacteria-based treatments are environmentally friendly and effective.
Types of RV Black Tank Treatments
An RV black tank treatment solution will keep your RV smelling fresh and clean. This is important because most RV toilet setups are essentially like porta johns. Waste gets flushed down the toilet, but then it sits in a holding tank until you dump the tank, which is typically every couple of days or once per week.
Therefore, dumping an RV holding tank treatment into your toilet is necessary to keep the smell at bay and prevent unwanted debris and gunk from building up.
There are several different types of treatments to choose from, including:
Type #1: Liquid Form Treatments
Liquid-form treatment is one of the most common options for black tank treatments. As the name implies, these treatments are in liquid form. With this option, you can choose between individual treatment bottles or larger containers with up to a dozen treatments per bottle.
Liquid treatments are very straightforward and easy to use, and they will have directions and recommended amounts on the bottle. Typically, however, you flush your toilet and pour the recommended amount of treatment directly into the black tank.
Here are some of our top selections:
- Liquified RV Black Tank Treatment – $25
- Unique RV Digest-It Black Tank Treatment – $10
- Camco TST Black Tank Treatment – $6.50
Because the treatment is in liquid form, it takes nearly instant effect at cleaning and deodorizing your black tank. However, there’s also a con to this, because liquid treatments don’t last quite as long as other options.
Type #2: Powder Form Treatments
Next, we have powder-form treatments. Powder-form treatments are a good option because they can do everything that liquid treatments can. Additionally, they can eat up waste and debris that builds up in your black tank, further minimizing the potential for clogs.
Another advantage of powder treatments is that they’re more compact than liquids, which makes it easier to store large amounts of it at a time.
Here are some of the top black tank powders on the market:
- Valterra Odorlos Holding Tank Treatments – $22.50
- Eco Strong Holding Tank Treatment – $40
- Happy Campers Extreme Holding Tank Treatment – $38.50
As with liquid treatments, powders will have instructions for application and recommended use on the container. Simply dump the recommended amount into the black tank and let it work wonders.
Type #3: Pod Form Treatments
Last, but not least, you can also get black tank treatments in pod form. In most cases, this means small pods, similar to laundry and dishwasher pods, filled with liquid or powder treatment. As with powders and liquids, simply toss a single pod down your toilet and into your black tank, and let it work its magic.
Here are some of our top recommended pod treatments:
- Camco TST Max Black Tank Pods – $20
- Walex Commando Black Tank Treatment Pods – $9
- Unique RV Digest-It Treatment Pods – $25
Environmentally friendly and safe for humans and animals alike, these treatments not only manage human waste but also keep your tank smelling fresh by biologically breaking down odor-causing compounds. Plus, they’re made right here in the USA with homegrown ingredients, giving you one more reason to feel good about your choice.
Top-Rated RV Black Tank Treatments
Now that we know the different types and forms that RV black tank treatment comes in, let’s look at the best products on the market.
#1: RV Digest It
Price: $15 – $50
Price Ranking: High
Type: Available in pods, powder, or liquid
RV Digest It, which made it into our mentions above, is easily one of the best RV black tank treatments on the market. RV Digest is available in several different forms and is very user-friendly. It is a combination treatment as it performs odor control in addition to eating up waste and debris that’s in your tank.
Additionally, RV Digest helps clean and maintain sensors inside black tanks. This is important if you have a modern RV with working sensors and you want to keep them functioning.
#2: Happy Camper
Price: $28 – $60
Price Ranking: High
Type: Powder, pod, and liquid
Next up, we have the Happy Camper black tank treatment. As with RV Digest It, Happy Camper is a great product that’s also available in a pod, powder, or liquid. It’s also capable of eradicating foul odors, solid waste, toilet paper, and anything else that’s lurking in your black tank.
Regardless of which product you prefer, Happy Camper treatment is very user-friendly. Plus, it doesn’t contain certain harmful chemicals and ingredients that other tank cleaners are known for, including formaldehyde and bronopol. You can also add it to your gray tanks if they need occasional treatment!
Other Highly Recommended Products
In addition to these highly touted tank cleaners, here are a few others that may fit your needs:
- Camco TST
- Aqua-Kem
- Walex Porta-Pak
- Green Gobbler
Avoiding Harmful Chemicals in Tank Treatments
In the same way that certain tank cleaners are better than others, there are also some that you should steer clear of. Certain chemicals and ingredients in generic tank cleaners are harmful and can eat away at your tank. They can also damage your plumbing pipes and toilet, not to mention potentially hurting your skin and eyes in the event of a spill.
Here’s a list of chemicals and ingredients to avoid:
- Formaldehyde
- Formalin
- Xylene
- Bronopol
- Benzene
- Other harmful chemicals
- Perfumes
- Dyes
- Zinc and other minerals
Whether you’re reading labels at the superstore or taking inventory of your RV basement storage, toss any RV black tank treatments that contain any of the above ingredients. The lifespan of your RV black tank depends on it.
DIY Tips for Effective Black Tank Maintenance
While choosing the right black tank treatment is a good first step at keeping your black tank clean, sterile, and odor-free, it isn’t the only thing you can do.
Here are a few other tips and tricks for keeping an RV black tank clean and tidy (that don’t involve off-the-shelf black tank treatments).
- Flush your black tank every one to two weeks
- After dumping the black tank, conduct a smell test to check for remaining odors
- Close the black and gray tank valves after every dumping
- Opt for black tank treatments that contain natural enzymes and few chemicals
- Clean your toilet and RV bathroom regularly
Final Thoughts
In addition to using the right holding tank treatment for your RV and practicing proper RV maintenance, it’s also important that you store your RV in a safe location when it’s not in use. Otherwise, bacteria and mold can build up inside the tank and cause foul odors and a wide range of other issues.
Consider using Neighbor, a peer-to-peer storage marketplace, to find safe and affordable RV storage near you, if you don’t have a good spot on your property. With hundreds of locations across the country, Neighbor likely has an option in your own backyard!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should I Use RV Holding Tank Treatments?
You should use RV black tank treatments every time you dump your black tank.
Can RV Holding Tank Treatments Damage My Tank or Sensors?
Using tank treatments with harmful chemicals may damage your tank and sensors, whereas natural treatments may actually help them.
Are Liquid-Form Treatments Better Than Powder or Pod Treatments?
No treatment is necessarily better than any other. They all have their pros and cons, and it’s important to choose the one that’s right for your RV. Just avoid treatments that contain chemicals like Formaldehyde and Formalin.
