RVers love the simplicity, effectiveness, and low cost of Kleen Tank’s tank solution. But Pine-Sol now only seems to come in the new 2x concentrated formula. Should you reduce then the amount of Pine-Sol that Kleen Tank’s recipe calls for? Let’s find out!

Our tank solution vs. other tank additives

RVers love Kleen Tank’s tank solution. It’s no surprise why. Time-tested over the past 13 years, it’s been the talk of the RV industry for many, many years. Unlike commercially-available (and costly!) tank additives, ours doesn’t liquify, break down, or dissolve the waste in your RV’s holding tanks, turning them into smelly, sticky, and problem-causing messes.

After all, your RV’s holding tanks are just that…tanks that hold waste. They’re not intended to be septic tanks or part of a process where waste is reduced to a thick, pancake batter-like goo that prevents tank sensors from working properly, causes clogs and other tank problems, and stinks to high heaven.

Hundreds of thousands of RVers swear by Kleen Tank’s tank solution and you should too. The worst tanks we clean are those where the owners use the latest chemical and enzyme concoctions that liquify, break down, and dissolve waste, rather than allowing it to float free in plenty of water and be quickly dumped out of the tank.

Our tank solution recipe

Kleen Tank freely gives away our tank solution and the recipe for you to make as much as you want. We don’t sell it and every customer we service gets a FREE pre-mixed quart of our solution. In fact, we’ll even give you two if you ask us! And for anyone even just curious, our dealers freely give out bottles for you to try.

Making Kleen Tank’s tank solution could not be easier:

1. Get an empty one-gallon jug. We like HDPE plastic jugs, like we sell on our Kleen Tank RVer Store.
2. Carefully add 8 ounces (one cup) of Calgon Bath Pearls to the empty jug. We like the Calgon Bath Pearls much better than the bath beads. They are much less reactive with the Pine-Sol (meaning, far less “explosive” when mixed), easier to work with (you won’t be tasting Calgon for hours since the Pearls aren’t powder like beads are), and they actually work better in our solution (yes, we’ve tested it!).
3. Slowly add 40 liquid ounces (five cups) of Pine-Sol to the jug. Pour it in slowly and try not to rush this step.
4. Finally, slowly fill the remaining space in the plastic jug with plain, clean water.
5. Close the cap or top on the jug tightly. Shake gently.

To use our solution, dispense four ounces (one half cup) down your toilet, shower drain, and kitchen sink drain (so, into both your black and gray tanks) for holding tanks that are 40 gallons or less in capacity. For tanks that are larger (bigger than 40 gallons in capacity), increase the amount of tank solution to eight ounces (one cup). Follow the tank solution with one to three gallons of fresh, clean water, so that the solution finds it’s way into your waste holding tanks.

What about the 2x concentrated formula?

We spoke to a chemist and specialist on cleaning and disinfectant products. He explained that it is extremely likely that Clorox (who now owns the Pine-Sol brand and produces the product) increased the chemicals in Pine-Sol to make it much more effective at killing viruses in response to the COVID-19 concerns.

Thought it’s hard to tell exactly what the ingredients are in Pine-Sol (it is, notably, much easier though than it’s competing brands), we feel — based on our discussions with this expert — that the “2x concentrated formula” does not refer to any of the chemical properties or ingredients that are relevant to Kleen Tank’s tank solution.

For that reason, whether you are using the original Pine-Sol formula or the now prevalent 2x concentrated formula, use the same amount (i.e. 40 fluid ounces of Pine-Sol) in making one gallon (128 ounces) of completed tank solution. You DO NOT need to reduce the amount of Pine-Sol.

If you’re looking for affordable Calgon Bath Pearls, a Complete Make-It-Yourself Tank Solution Kit, or our Complete Tank Care Kit (which includes everything in the Make-It-Yourself Tank Solution Kit PLUS a Flush King Reverse Flush Valve and Water Meter PLUS instructions and Tank Care Guide), check out Kleen Tank’s RVer Store. We have everything you need to care for your RV’s waste holding tanks!