- Do not empty the wastewater tanks until they are full. If the RV is hooked up to septic/sewer intake at a campground, keep the drain valves closed until you are ready to empty the tanks. When the tanks are full, they flush solids out when you empty them. If you do not close the drain valves, the water will drain out without cleaning out the solid waste. The waste will accumulate in the wastewater tanks and become a problem.
- Always empty the dirtiest water tank first so that you will flush out the filthiest water with water that gets progressively cleaner. Usually you will empty the commode tank first, followed by the galley tank, and then the shower and bathroom sink tank.
- Mix 2 ¼ cups of water softener into a gallon bucket of hot water, and pour it into an empty water tank. Use the water softener in every one of the wastewater tanks in the RV. Make sure that the drain valves are closed so that the water softener does not run out. At the same time, add a cup of laundry soap to the commode tank. This should help to clean the tank. The other tanks already have soap in them just from being used. The sides of the tanks will begin to come clean with the water softener, and it will keep soap scum from adhering to the sides of the bathtub. About twice a year, put a gallon of liquid bleach into the tanks to disinfect and sanitize them. Drink and cook with bottled water until the bleach has worked through the system.
- Fresh water always has sediment in it, which will build up in the water lines and water tanks. It will discolor the tub and shower, the sink and the commode. Use disposable water filters to weed out the sediment. When the filters get full and stop the water flow, it will result in low water pressure. Be sure to check the filters regularly, and change them as needed.
