Chemical Toilet usage

Mr Brian Hughes
Mr Brian Hughes Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited March 2018 in Motorhomes #1

When we first began with a touring Caravan we had to buy a Chemical Toilet. It was either in the instructions for it or we just made up our own minds that we would not use it for "solid" waste.

Now we have a motorhome we have continued with this, but it is difficult if we go to a site with no toilet facilities. Is there any reason why we should continue with our policy or can we safely use the Chemical Toilet for all waste.

 

Brian & Heather Hughes

«1

Comments

  • MichaelT
    MichaelT Forum Participant Posts: 1,874
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    edited March 2018 #2

    It was designed to be used.  Many people use bio washing tabs instead of blue liquid to break down waste.

    Line bowl with paper first to prevent marks!!!!

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited March 2018 #3

    Having used a 'chemical toilet' to varying degrees for over 35 years I can confirm its usage for all normal defalcation. 

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,046 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #4

    Of course you can, it's what they are designed for, and used as instructed, you won't have any problems. 

    Only you will know what is/was preventing you from using a chemical toilet designed for a touring holiday. It's your choice, but by only using if in half the manner it was intended, you are going to be very restricted in your choice of sites, and this will be reflected in the cost of the places you choose to stay. 

    Read up carefully on how to properly use the loo, which I am guessing will be of the cassette type. Make sure you use the chemical fluid recommended, at the correct dose, at first, and leave experimenting with alternatives until you are more comfy with the procedure. Using the right sort and amount of loo paper, in the correct manner, for solids, will help. Most users swear by the X over the drop zone, and use a rinse aid that adds slippage if you get my drift! All that should be in your waste tank should be liquid, and emptying once a day, rather than every couple of days is usually better.

    No more having to book expensive sites with full toilet facilities, no more scuttling off to the toilet block dazed, half dressed, and coping with wind, rain and snow in the middle of the night. 

    It is only posh camping that most of us do anyway, so make the most of all that expensive equipment in your tourer! Person up, Good luck and go for it! laughing

  • Swifty2018
    Swifty2018 Forum Participant Posts: 196
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    edited March 2018 #5

    My main tip would be to open the slide before use and don't bother with lining the bowl.

    Less mess, less smell

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #6

    No need to empty every day or second day.  You probably have an indicator on your  toilet letting you know when to empty.  Ensure other person knows that you are emptying the cassette and they must not use the toilet!!  Yes agree open slide first.

  • MichaelT
    MichaelT Forum Participant Posts: 1,874
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    edited March 2018 #7

    If you line the bowl there is much less (if not any) mess and we always do this before opening the slide to avoid seeing whats gone before if you get my driftwink

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited March 2018 #8

    Some  'vans  have  a  specific tank  for  flush  water  where  you  can  add  Pink  chemical  to  help  keep  clean  the  bowl  &  nullify  noxious  niffs.  My  van  takes  the  water  direct  from  the  main  tank  so,  like  many  others  I  use  a  common  or  garden   spray  bottle  which  can  be  used  with  any  diluted  pink,  or  pink  substitute  like  Zoflora  etc,  to  keep  every body  happy.

    The  modern  toilets  have  come  a  very  very  long  way  from  the  old  "Bucket  &  Chuck  it"  of  my  youth  club  camping  days  believe  me   !!

  • Swifty2018
    Swifty2018 Forum Participant Posts: 196
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    edited March 2018 #9

    How to use a toilet warrants a thread all of its own!

  • KENNYG
    KENNYG Forum Participant Posts: 215
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    edited March 2018 #10

    If you line the toilet first when it passes through the hole in the cassette the solids wraps itself up into a little or large parcel. I use home bargains pink bio liquid tabs nicer perfume than the other makes on the market and as said breaks down into a liquid . Happy parcel  wrapping. 

  • Justus2
    Justus2 Forum Participant Posts: 897
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    edited March 2018 #11

    My top tip would be .... Rinse ( flush ) the bowl just before use.. It makes it slippy wink 

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited March 2018 #12

    I've  got  to  76  without  needing  such  a  thread  so ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited March 2018 #13

    Don't bother to line the bowl. Just develop a good aim. Then whatever drops, will go straight through the hole when the slide is open and bob's your uncle. No faffing !!

    It's more important to thoroughly rinse the cassette after emptying no matter what method you use to fill the cassette. 

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited March 2018 #14

    Use our for both types open slider,flush first,then use ,then flush if touring ensure slider is Closed in transitsurprised,and open gently before use at next stopwink

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #15

    Mine would buy one of those little toilet brushes for sale in the caravan accessory shops. No need to clat about lining the bowl with anything.

    peedee

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #16

    Spray the bowl with furniture polish and the s#ht won't stick laughing

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited March 2018 #17

    You're parading around with a trombone? I think this thread is getting bogged down.

  • Traficlady
    Traficlady Forum Participant Posts: 99
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    edited March 2018 #18

    I use Happy Bowl toilet liners. They’re about £8 for 50. I don’t leave home without them! 

    Dont let anyone tell you to use the posh toilet paper either. Lidl’s best is fine. 

    Nora

  • Cajun Duo
    Cajun Duo Forum Participant Posts: 48
    edited March 2018 #19

    Aldi have the Blue toilet chemical on sale I think this Sunday, we find it works as good if not better than the named stuff and it smells much better not so chemically. Cheapest paper is the way to go..

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited March 2018 #20

    Most  definitely  use  the  trombone,  CY.  That  covers  a  multitude  of  noises  I  reckon  embarassed

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #21

    So do those that line the bowl in the van do the same when at home or using the facilities block?

    peedee

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,195 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #22

    No 😇.

    Prefer to  line the  bowl with toilet paper in cross. Use toilet bowl wipes too after 😉

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
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    edited March 2018 #23

    Solids no thanks, lets face it a Thetford is actually a plastic bucket with a seat on it! The other problem is my wife refuses to empty it !!!!!

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,195 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #24

    There are boy jobs and girl jobs 😉.  That said if my OH could empty I would but it would be often because of the weight 😆

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited March 2018 #25

    We tend to avoid solids if possible and use site facilities or service stations when travelling.  You will not need to empty quite so often and it will be an easier task when you do. Of course, if you are wild camping or using CLs or its in the middle of the night then you have no choice.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited March 2018 #26
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #27

    Best advice I can give is to get into the habit of emptying before it is full - for two reasons.  Firtly, it isn't so heavy to carry/lift. Secondly, there is some space for unforeseen emergencies.

     

    And do have a way of showing the cassette has been removed!!

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited March 2018 #28
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited March 2018 #29

    Though it's the 2nd year of owning our caravan, recently being on a CL consisting of just a field has made me realise that I need to have a look at our caravan toilet as the blade doesn't open fully which has restricted some things 😷

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #30

    Short term I prescribe you some laxative chocolate, just until you can get the blade to fully open tongue-out

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited March 2018 #31

    😂😂😂😂😉