Most RVer’s have the “how” of keeping their waste holding tanks rinsed out and — they think — clean. But what about that nasty pipe at the bottom of the toilet that goes into the top of the tank? We all know what it looks like (YUCK!), but how do you get it clean?

 

Different types of toilets

For years, even decades, most RVs (of all types) featured toilets that were modified versions of our home toilets. Manufacturers omitted the holding tank, behind the seat, that held a couple gallons of water that provided the “flush” once the flush lever was depressed, and replaced that with a water pressure line that released water when the foot pedal was pressed down (as well as dispensing a little water into the bowl when pressed down half way). This is still the most common type of RV toilet found in most RV bathrooms.

New to the market, and once only found on the most expensive, luxury motorcoaches, is the macerating toilet. Now found on many makes and models of RVs, the macerating toilet works by suctioning waste into a pump unit located under the toilet bowl where either rotating blades or pressurized water grinds the waste into a fine slurry, which is then pumped into the black water waste holding tank.

The waste pipe

For the first, and most common type of toilet (that has the floor or other pedal or switch to flush down waste), the pipe from the toilet bowl to the holding tank can get, well, “coated” in waste (especially over time). In the macerating toilet, it is uncommon for their to be much (if any) waste pipe from the toilet bowl to the macerating unit, though the bottom of the toilet bowl can get some built up waste in it from time to time.

How to clean the toilet bowl and pipe

Cleaning your toilet bowl is best done without cleaning liquids that contain bleach. Honestly, using Kleen Tank’s make-it-yourself tank solution (containing Calgon Bath Pearls, Pine-Sol, and water) is an excellent cleaner for your toilet’s surfaces. Use a toilet cleaning wand (we like this one with the detachable, throw-away cleaning pads) and pair of rubber or nitrile gloves (!) and go to town. Adding that extra tank solution you use during cleaning into the waste holding tank will help to keep the toilet, pipes, and tank slippery and smelling clean(er).

Now, for the drop pipe. At Kleen Tank, when we’re cleaning out a customer’s drop pipe in their RV’s toilet, we use a special brass, high-pressure nozzle attached to a garden hose. Here’s the nozzle at Amazon, and if you don’t want your garden hose running all through the inside of your RV, use a water thief attached to your bathroom sink faucet to use as the water supply.

Glove up (and maybe some safety glasses and a mask) and carefully grab hold of the garden hose with the brass high-pressure nozzle attached. We like to have an old towel or some shop rags at the ready too, in case things get “splashy”. Now, point the brass nozzle down close to the toilet drop pipe, turn on the water, and use the thin, high-pressure water stream to scrub the “stuff” out of the drop pipe. Waste will drop into the black water waste holding pipe. You may have to spend a bit of time scrubbing out the drop pipe, but this should get it nice and clean.