You travel in your RV partly as a form of escapism, but there are still some things you can’t escape. For instance, you have to do the dishes after you cook, and you have to clean your RV toilet.
Like you can’t use just any old brand of toilet paper for this sensitive septic system, the same goes for cleaning products. Instead of figuring out which products work best through trial and error, why not check out this list instead? We’ve compiled nine of the best RV toilet cleaners around sure to make this unpleasant job a little more bearable. They’re all available courtesy of Amazon.
1. Unique Camping & Marine Unique RV Toilet Cleaner + Holding Tank Enhancer
Our first toilet cleaning pick is an Amazon’s Choice product. It’s the toilet cleaner and holding tank enhancer from Unique Camping & Marine. This double-duty product comes in a 24-ounce bottle, but you can also order up to 12 bottles in one order on Amazon if you want to stock up.
For best results, using this toilet cleaner weekly. First, you want to put some water in the toilet until it’s half full. Then, squirt out some of the Unique RV Toilet Cleaner straight into the bowl, moving it about with your cleaning brush. Let the product work its magic.
After a couple of minutes, you should use your brush again, wiping away stains effortlessly. Still, refrain from flushing. Whatever leftover product remains, let it stay. You and your family can go about using the toilet normally now. The bacteria in this cleaner will remain in the toilet bowl for a while after regular use, prolonging that clean potty.
2. Camco TST Ultra-Concentrated Toilet Treatment Drop-Ins
If the above sounds like too much work, you can always try a drop-in product. Camco’s original TST toilet treatment drop-ins have an ultra-concentrated formula that takes most of the dirty work out of keeping your RV toilet clean.
The drop-ins, which have a fantastic orangey citrus smell, will biodegrade with time. If you have a boat, you can use these in that potty, too. Otherwise, they suit your RV especially well. Your toilet tank won’t have odors or messes anymore. A single one of these drop-ins is all you need if your tank has a capacity of at least 40 gallons.
Let’s talk about what these drop-ins don’t have, shall we? You’ll never find bronopol or formaldehyde in this toilet treatment product. Sounds good to us!
3. Star Brite Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Yes, you guessed it. The Star Brite toilet bowl cleaner is another Amazon’s Choice pick. We think you’ll see why once you try it. Inexpensive and effective, this cleaning product works for RVs, boats, and other marine vehicles.
You can use it without worrying about risking your toilet valves or seals. Star Brite designed their formula to prevent damage to these crucial components. To use the toilet bowl cleaner, apply some of in your toilet bowl’s top. The product should begin dripping down along the bowl’s sides. Wait for about 10 minutes and then use a toilet cleaning cloth or brush to remove any residue. Flush your toilet and rinse again if necessary.
Star Brite’s cleaner will cut down on unwanted odors and provide lubrication without ever scratching the bowl. In fact, you can still trust in this product even if you have a toilet bowl made of china or plastic.
4. Dometic 3 ‘N 1 Drop-in Bowl Cleaner & Tank Treatment
If you have a Dometic toilet, then you’ll probably gravitate towards this 3 ‘N 1 drop-in bowl cleaner and tank treatment. You get 12 drop-ins in one container, all of which smell like a lovely lavender.
Get started by finding your flush valve and then opening this. Doing so should cut down on the tank pressure. Once you do that, you can close the valve again. Make sure you have a semi-full toilet, too, filled one-third of the way with water. When you place a drop-in in your toilet bowl, it will begin dissolving, cleaning your toilet of grime as it does so.
The effervescent cleaning process not only looks cool, but the enzymes released will clear your toilet bowl of grime. You’ll also treat your tank and remove odors. Once the drop-in dissolves fully, use your cleaning brush to clear away what’s left. Next, flush. Then you’re all done!
5. Thetford Aqua-Foam Toilet Cleaner
If you prefer a foaming RV toilet cleaner, Thetford’s Aqua-Foam comes up as yet another recommended pick from Amazon. Your order includes three two-ounce packets of cleaner. As the name tells you, Aqua-Foam will foam up when you put it in the toilet bowl. You can even use this for your home toilet if you like it enough.
Thetford’s product won’t affect any components or seals in your toilet, including those made of plastic and porcelain. You don’t have to get your face near the toilet bowl and scrub your arm off with Aqua-Foam, either. The product takes care of all that hard work for you, removing stains and messes as it goes.
All you have to do is dump the packet contents in the toilet. Your water will bubble up, cleaning deep to get all that leftover gunk. Rinse away the residue, flush a time or two, and you’re done. It’s as easy as that!
Aqua-Foam can work with less water than most other cleaning products, making it a perfect pick for RV potties.
6. Caravan Overnight RV Sensor and Tank Cleaner
We haven’t talked about a product that can get your RV tank sensors looking and working their best…until now. Caravan’s overnight cleaner will take care of the tank itself as well, don’t worry. To use it, you want to make sure you fill your tank most of the way. Shake the product, dump in 16 ounces, and then wait. As the name tells you, this Caravan cleaner has to work overnight. Let it sit for at least 12 hours. If you have the patience, allowing the product to work for 24 hours might give you even better results. After the time has elapsed, rinse out your tank and voila.
The microorganisms in this overnight cleaner contain bacteria that reproduce more and more. Doing this leads to the creation of enzymes. These enzymes will then take complex molecules and simplify them to feed the bacteria. This process cleans away toilet paper residue, human waste, tank blockages, sludge, and stinky smells.
In fact, Caravan says their product has a success rate of 95 percent for clearing sensors so they’re once again in working order.
7. Camco TST Max RV Toilet Treatment Drop-Ins
If you liked the original Camco TST drop-ins, wait until you try the upgraded version. These TST Max drop-ins promise two times the odor-fighting power compared to similar products. Per container, you get 30 drop-ins. They’ll be sure to last you a while.
Suitable for septic tanks in marine vessels and RVs just like the original version, these drop-ins are also incredibly concentrated. If your toilet has a tank that’s at least 40 gallons, you only need a single drop-in to clean it. When the drop-in reaches your toilet, it begins disintegrating the buildup of waste that has accumulated in the holding tank. The tablets cut down on odors at an impressive rate as well.
Camco’s TST Max drop-ins have no bronopol, a poisonous ingredient that lets formaldehyde into the air. There are also no biocides or pesticides found here. You can get these drop-ins in scents like lemon, lavender, or hibiscus.
8. TankTechsRx RV Holding Tank Treatment and Cleaner
If you’re still looking for Amazon-recommended RV toilet treatments, consider TankTechsRx’s cleaner. Made with natural ingredients that are better for the environment, this tank cleaner has no scent at all. That’s actually a good thing, as there are no deodorizers to mask odors. Those smells will actually disappear.
You won’t find any formaldehyde in this cleaner either. Instead, TankTechsRx uses probiotic bacteria that can take waste and make it into a liquid while cleaning away odors. The included bacteria works so well that you only need to use very little of the product, about an ounce each time you clean your tank.
For galley tanks, graywater tanks, blackwater tanks, toilets, and more, keep this cleaner aboard your RV. It’ll come in handy plenty of times.
9. Kronen Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Our last pick is Kronen’s toilet bowl cleaner. Each bottle is 16 ounces, but you can get a six-pack on Amazon so you never run out. Intended for both marine and RV use, this cleaner has no formaldehyde in it. You can feel good about using it as often as your toilet needs, then.
Like TankTechsRx’s product, the odors disappear instead of getting hidden by other artificial scents. This natural pick boasts a formula with a thicker consistency. Thus, you never have to worry about Kronen’s cleaner not sticking to the bowl, as it will coat the inside well.
The bacteria in the formula begin to break down and rid your toilet bowl of waste and other odorous messes. If you’re using other non-chemical treatments for your holding tank, they shouldn’t clash with this Kronen cleaner.
Conclusion
Cleaning your RV toilet may be an ugly job, but with the nine products on this list, at least the work goes by faster and easier. Whether you want an effortless drop-in tablet and bubbling cleanser or perhaps you don’t mind putting some elbow grease into scrubbing the bowl, there’s surely a cleaner for you here.
We bought a Unique toilet cleaner for our RV because the toilet cleaner seems to use more natural ingredients and kept things fresh. So far I haven’t noticed any discoloring or damage. It leaves the bowl clean, and the seal obviously lubricated. I think this will help the longevity of our the toilet in my new RV, an investment worth preserving.