Toilet Cleaner

[Dek]

Most boat maintenance manuals stress that domestic toilet cleaner should not be used on marine toilets. The reason given for this is that the chemicals may degrade washers, fittings etc. I clean my toilet with warm water and a detergent but am not confident that this will get rid of all the bugs and germs.
Anyone know of a good bacteria blaster that won't wreck the loo?

I could avoid the problem by bypassing the loo via the downwind side of the boat but she who must be obeyed refuses to do the same!!

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[philip_stevens]

Vinegar does the trick. Flush it through followed by clean water.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip

 

[kinta]

or lemon juice

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[Boathook]

I wipe every thing down with disinfectant and a few drops in the bowl when we leave after the weekend. Best way to stop any smell is to ensure that it is flushed well after each use.

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[HeadMistress]

Oh dear...apparently the American obsession with killing every bacterium on the planet has also found its way to the UK....<sigh>...

You understand correctly that household chemical bowl cleaners should NOT be used in any marine toilet. Neither should bleach, anything containing bleach, or any other cleaning products that contain pine oil solvents, petroleum based ingredients or disinfectants in a marine toilet. The chemicals in them are murderous to the rubber parts in toilets, make hoses less resistant to odor permeation, and can interact negatively with holding tank chemicals--which can produce toxic, even lethal, gasses. For instance, most people know not to combine bleach with ammonia...but don't know that the active ingredient in some holding tank products and other disinfectants is quaternary ammonium compound...or that bleach and vinegar is an even more dangerous combination.

All that's needed to keep your loo as clean as it needs to be is a wipe with a bit of liquid or powdered abrasive cleanser on a sponge or paper towel (wear rubber gloves), followed by a quart or two of clean fresh water...that followed by a cupful of white vinegar (right idea, Phil, but you're doing in the wrong order) flushed ALL the way through the hoses.



<hr width=100% size=1>Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987

 

[Rick]

Thanks Peggy,

Did I read correctly - the white vinegar should remain in the system, and not be flushed out, or should it be flushed with lots of fresh water?

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[MainlySteam]

We do this on the advice of a boatbuilder's wife who has for years done the same without problem.

When leaving the boat or weekly if staying on board (in which case do not use the toilet for a few hours after), pump until system is dry, fill the bowl with fresh water and add a middle sized dollup of bleach - here (NZ) that is 3% hypochlorite, is 5% or so in USA, and I guess a dollup is about a quarter cup. Pump the bowl dry and leave. The residual on the bowl keeps it clean and we have after nearly 9 years not had any problems with hoses or the toilet itself. We have lived aboard in that period and the boat is away for at least 2 months a year total, and the boat is used at least weekly otherwise - the only thing we have ever replaced on the toilet in 9 years has been the pump handle rod top gland once (Jabsco ITT).

I support Peggy's advice in that I would not put strong mixes into the toilet and be careful if one has a holding tank, although I think the above concentration would not be an issue with ammonia based additives (but I stress that I have not tried).

John

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[HeadMistress]

Vinegar accomplishes two things: it helps to reduce hose permeation by lowering the pH level inside the hose...and it dissolve sea water calcium carbonates. So you do want to flush it all the way through the hose, but you don't want to rinse behind it. Nor do you want to send it down behind ANY bleach.

<hr width=100% size=1>Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987

 

[Rick]

Thanks Peggy .....

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[Dek]

Thanks to all for the information. I will now sit more comfortably.

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[frilaens]

Maybe SWMBO should try <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.whizaway.com/>The Whiz</A> over the side...

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