The smell of toilets at campsites can be unbearable sometimes. And when you’re camping with children, it’s important to make sure the toilet doesn’t smell. Learn how to keep a camping toilet from smelling.
Campers always ask the same question, “how do you keep the camp toilets from smelling?” My camp toilet doesn’t smell bad at all and this article will teach you what to do.
Every camper knows that funny smell of a porta-potty. It’s enough to drive you away but never fear. A few simple tips and the information below can rid you of that dreaded camp toilet smell.
How Do I Stop My Portable Camping Toilet From Smelling?
How do I stop my portable camping toilet from smelling? The best way to prevent a smelly portable toilet is to use it and empty the contents as soon as possible.
If you want to keep your portable toilet from smelling, there are several things that you can do.
Step 1 – Clean it Regularly
The first thing that you should do is clean your portable toilet regularly. Cleaning your portable toilet at least once in 2 days will ensure that it does not get dirty and start to smell. If there is any dirt or grime on the surface of your toilet, then it will start to rot and this will cause an odor in your bathroom unit.
Step 2– Remove Waste Regularly
A second thing that you should do is remove waste from your portable camp toilets regularly as well. If there is waste left inside of the unit for too long, then it will start to rot as well and this can lead to a bad odor being emitted into the air around where you are camping. Make sure that all waste is emptied out of these units regularly.
Step 3 – Use White Vinegar or Baking Soda
The third thing you can do when it comes to keeping your toilet from smelling is trying adding some white vinegar or baking soda. Pour at least one cup of white vinegar into the water and let it sit for 30 minutes before flushing. This will help remove any lingering odors.
The baking soda will absorb any remaining odors. However, if your portable toilet has an odor that won’t go away with vinegar or baking soda, then you might have a problem with the plumbing itself.
How to Keep a Camping Toilet from Smelling in 16 Simple Tips
Like it or not, camping toilets are a fact of life when you’re roughing it in the woods. You may have an RV toilet with you or maybe you just have to make do with what nature provides. Either way, there are some things you can do to make your experience less stinky and more sanitary. Here are 16 quick tips:
1. Use citronella candles or a camping toilet deodorizer bag.
2. Pour vinegar into the toilet bowl.
3. Clean with baking soda and water.
4. Sprinkle air freshener on the seat.
5. Add neutralizing powder to the toilet bowl water.
6. Spray an air freshener into the bathroom after using it.
7. Empty wastebaskets when they get full of trash.
8. Keep paper towels handy for easy cleaning up spills on the floor or floor mats in bathrooms.
9. Empty your blackwater tank when it gets full (usually every 3 days) even if you don’t have any more waste in it yet! This will help prevent odors from going into your blackwater tank and making it smell worse than it would otherwise!
10. Use charcoal bags.
11. Don’t forget to flush.
12. Add essential oils for a natural smell.
13. Keep your lid down while using your toilet (unless you have kids).
14. Disinfect with water and bleach regularly.
15. Clean up after yourself with biodegradable soap or dish detergent on a rope hanger nearby.
16. Keep your tarp away from the water supply or drainage area of your campsite by using rock walls or raised heaps of dirt around your site (this acts as a natural drainage area) – this is especially important if you’re camping in wet weather conditions!
If you are curious why does my camper toilet smell? Read on to know…
Why Does My Camper Toilet Smell?
Why does my camper toilet smell? There are a few reasons why a camper toilet may start to smell.
First, if you have not cleaned the bowl recently, it could be smelling mildew and mold. If you have never cleaned your toilet before, there may be some waste material stuck in the bowl that has not been flushed or washed away.
The second reason for odor is the type of toilet paper you use. Some brands of toilet paper produce more lint than others and this lint can get stuck in the drain causing an odor problem.
The final reason for a smelly camper toilet is bacteria growing in the bowl itself. Bacteria will grow on any surface where there is moisture present over time and this includes most toilets in campers.
I know keeping a camping toilet from smelling can be a challenge, but the key to success on that is to keep the area clean and dry.
What Can I Put in My RV Toilet to Make it Smell Better?
There are a variety of products available to reduce the odor of your RV toilet. These include:
Charcoal Briquettes:
These are available at most hardware stores and can be used in any RV toilet. They will help absorb odors and eliminate them from the air around them. The charcoal briquettes should be replaced every 30 days or so.
Baking Soda:
This is another common product that can help eliminate odors and reduce the number of bacteria in an RV toilet. A box of baking soda should last about two months before needing to be replaced.
Odor Eliminators:
There are many different types of odor eliminators available, including sprays and gel packs, which can be placed in your RV’s waste tank to help keep the odor down while you’re on the road. You should check with your manufacturer to see if any other cleaners or additives are recommended by them for use with your particular model of RV.
How Do You Make a Portable Toilet Deodorizer?
The best way to keep your portable toilet from smelling is to use a deodorizer. There are several ways that you can do this, and the method you choose will be based on how often you have access to an open flame.
How Do You Make a Portable Toilet Deodorizer?
Option 1: Dryer Sheets
If you have dryer sheets with you, then this is your best option. Place one or two sheets in the bowl before using it and let it sit for a few hours after using it. The sheets will absorb odors as well as kill bacteria, making them ideal for this job.
Option 2: Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds work just like dryer sheets when it comes to absorbing odors. As long as they are fresh and not wet, they will do the trick of keeping your portable toilet smell free while camping. You can also add some coffee grounds to your toilet paper roll if you prefer them over dryer sheets or want an extra layer of protection against stains and smells on your hands.
Option 3: Baking Soda
Baking soda has been used for centuries as a deodorizer for everything from refrigerators to shoes; it’s no wonder that it works so well in a portable toilet bowl. Just sprinkle some baking soda into your portable toilet.
Option 4: Use Charcoal Deodorizers
The best way to keep your portable toilet from smelling like something died inside is to use a charcoal deodorizer. This will help eliminate odors from your waste before they have a chance to spread through the air or create an unpleasant odor around your tent or RV site.
You can find these in many different brands of scented trash bags or even baking soda packets which are easy enough to carry along with you on any outdoor adventure.
Option 5: Buy an Electric Deodorizer
If you’re willing to spend a little bit more money on keeping things fresh out in the wild then there are also electric deodorizers available that work with little electricity or batteries.
Do Camping Toilets Smell?
Toilet waste can give off a strong odor if it is not disposed of properly. The smell can be even more unpleasant when certain types of waste are used in the toilet. Do camping toilets smell? The answer is Yes!
Final Thought:
When faced with the choice of a smelly camping toilet or a walk through the woods, the decision is pretty simple. By using a combination of these techniques, you’ll be able to enjoy spending time in nature without taking a trip to the woods every time you need to answer the call of nature.
Keep your site and neighbors happy. Remember you’re in for the long haul so you might want to get comfy!
By following a few easy steps before and after you use your camping toilet, you can avoid that horrible smell that comes from urine and feces mixing. Happy Camping.
I appreciate you letting us know that portable toilets must be cleaned at least once every 2 days to ensure they don’t get dirty and start to smell. My family and I are going on a camping trip with our other relatives for our reunion party, and we need a portable toilet rental for the week. I’ll be sure to keep this in mind while I look for portable toilet rental providers before the trip.
Wow! Thanks so much.
Our family reunion this year will be a camping trip, so we need to find portable toilets to rent for the occasion. I found your tip useful when you told us to clean our portable toilets at least once in 2 days to ensure they don’t start to smell. I’ll be sure to do so once I find a septic company to call for the rentals soon.