Last updated on February 21st, 2023 at 12:14 pm

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When it comes time to do some of the worst RV chores out there, unclogging your RV’s toilet has got to be at the top of the charts. 

There are many ways to unclog an RV toilet, from chemical black tank treatments to additional sewer hose attachments. There are even some home remedies out there that you can perform cheaply and quickly so that you can fix a clog, fast!

But what are some of those methods, and how can you best prevent future clogs? Let’s go over some helpful tips and tricks that I’ve learned after living full-time in a vintage travel trailer!

How Does My RV Toilet Get Clogged?

One of the first things you may ask yourself is how did my RV toilet get clogged in the first place!? While it’s anyone’s guess, there are a few major culprits that lead to a clogged RV toilet or black water tank.

The main issue that leads to a clogged black water tank is when your waste, toilet paper, and other products that shouldn’t be flushed down an RV toilet, aren’t breaking down properly inside of your tank. Your various solid wastes won’t break down without help, however, so it follows that doing nothing with your RV toilet and sewer system will lead to a clogged toilet!

Your RV toilet is also more likely to get clogged in extreme cold weather or extreme hot weather. The various wastes solidify more regularly in these types of weather conditions, as your black tank is located underneath your rig with little to no insulation.

Hot weather is a worse culprit of a clogged RV sewer system, as it will evaporate necessary liquids found inside of your black tank. Water and other liquid waste is detrimental to fully draining your RV’s black tank!

A clogged black tank isn’t anyone’s favorite thing, but it is a common issue with many RVers. You’re not alone in your struggle, and thankfully many companies have made products to assist with clogged toilets onboard an RV.

What Products Should I Purchase for Unclogging My RV Toilet?

Since a plunger just won’t work in an RV toilet system, you may be wondering what products can actually do some damage to a clogged toilet. Here are my top recommendations for additional purchases that you can make to help unclog your RV’s delicate sewer system.

Black Tank Cleaners

The most obvious choice to go with when it comes to unclogging your RV’s toilet is a black tank cleaner. These chemical-based products are quick and effective if you need an easy and efficient fix for your clogged toilet. It is what every RVer should get to know early on in their camping journeys!

There are countless black tank cleaner options out there on the market, and you can read more about those options here. Some forms might be easier to use than others, and you will no doubt have your own personal preferences. However, for most folks, I recommend Happy Camper tank cleaner which you can check out on Amazon by clicking here. 

Not only is Happy Camper one of the easiest to use products out there, it is also one of the most cost effective chemical tank cleaning options too. Happy Camper’s highly concentrated water-activated mineral blend eliminates odor, and breaks down your solid and liquid waste. It’s a quick and effective way to eliminate clogs!

Wand or Snake Options

Did you know that you can bust up a clogged toilet with just water? There are many products on the market built just for RVs that can clean or otherwise power wash away the inside of your black tank!

Cleaning your holding tank is important, because it keeps holding tank sensors clear and operating effectively. It also helps prevent unwanted odors from lingering in the tanks after you have emptied them. 

This Flexible Swivel Stik from Camco is best used in RVs that have the holding tank mounted at an offset or away from the toilet. It easily attaches to any standard garden hose and has a flow-through body. 

The powerful rotary cleaning action sprays water onto the sides of the holding tank, helping to dislodge waste that remained after emptying the tank. It can also break up clogs, though it is best used to clean your tank after it has been emptied.

Sewer Hose Attachments

If you are a full-timer or anyone looking to have your black tank regularly cleaned without much hassle, I highly recommend this product from Camco. This product attaches to your RV sewer hose so that you can utilize it when you are fully hooked up to a sewer line. 

The Rhino Blaster Tank Rinser latches securely onto your RVs sewer outlet. The 45 degree angle allows water to blast directly into the outlet, rinsing out residue. The Rhino Blaster Tank Rinser features a clear elbow to see when the water runs clear. A vacuum breaker prevents backflow into the water hose.

I own this product for my vintage trailer with an unreliable black tank valve. I know I used my Rhino to break up clogs while my tank was full. While you shouldn’t expect the best results when using the product in this way, it can definitely come in handy should you be in a tight spot with a clogged black tank!

Are There Home Remedies for a Clogged RV Toilet?

If you don’t have the time, budget, or opportunity to purchase any of these additional products, what can you do when your black tank is clogged? Thankfully there are home remedies that you can perform just about anytime, anywhere, and all on a budget!

Ice Trick

A tried and true old school RVer trick, one of the easiest ways to break down solids in your black tank is through utilizing ice. The best part about this is that ice is readily sold at campgrounds and convenience stores, making it a cheap and easily accessible home remedy.

Put an entire bag of ice or two down your toilet and into your black tank. Make sure that your valves are all closed up, and take a drive. Feel free to go over any speed bumps in the road, as the more jostling of your tank that happens, the better!

After a half hour to an hour of travel in your rig, bring it back to the dump station and try to empty it. The ice should have pulverized or otherwise loosened whatever solids you have in your tank that are potentially clogging your sewer system.

Another helpful part of using ice is that it will add even more moisture to your tank, which means that there is even more water to help with the flow of solids leaving your black tank once it comes time to drain it.

Dish Soap or Vaseline

Looking for another solution to a clog that is affordable, and even uses items you may have on hand in your rig already? Check out this home remedy, which utilizes dish soap or Vaseline!

Pour in an entire bottle of dish soap or a couple helpings of laundry soap. Let it rest in your tank, and attempt to drain. This method may be best used as a preventative, but some RVers have reported that it helps with active clogs as well.

Adding a large quantity of dish soap or other lubricant (like laundry detergent) to your black tank can help keep things moving- literally. These soapy substances can coat the walls of your black water tank and keep any solid substances moving when it comes time to dump your tank’s contents.

Using dish or laundry soap can also potentially help your tank smell better, making it a convenient and cost effective deodorizer too! Vaseline is also an excellent choice should you have it on hand, or any other off-brand petroleum jellies.

Boiling Water

Another cheap and effective trick to clearing out a clogged black tank is using boiling water. Boiling water is great for breaking down any solid waste, especially paper products, inside of your black tank.

Get your water boiling hot and let it cool for only a moment before pouring it into your toilet. I recommend at least a gallon, if you can fit it inside of your clogged black water tank. Let it sit for an hour or so, then try to drain your tank.

Repeat this process as necessary, and keep in mind that the more water you use, the better! Most RVs should be built with durable enough plastic or metal that the hot water shouldn’t damage anything. However, take this into consideration and let your water cool a bit more should you own a more frail rig. 

Vinegar and Baking Soda

While this trick may or may not work, I’ve tried it with some success in my rig before. Pour an entire box of baking soda into your black tank. Then add a half gallon of vinegar. 

The chemical reaction involved with these two products may not smell the best, but it has been known to fizz and agitate the contents of black water tanks, sometimes leading to the loosening of a clog. 

Some RVers don’t find this method successful; some do. Since it is a relatively affordable alternative to other harsher chemical products, I say give it a try! It definitely had some sort of effect on the last clog I had in my little rig! 

How Can I Prevent Future Clogs in my RV Toilet?

Let’s say that you’ve managed to release the clog in your black water tank and don’t want to repeat that clog in the future. Good for you! What can you do to prevent future clogs?

Use Less Toilet Paper

While it may not be ideal, especially if you are travelling with a family used to indoor plumbing, using less toilet paper is an easy solution to a clogged RV toilet. It is a cost effective solution as well!

I’m not saying give up on using toilet paper entirely; just use a few less sheets than you normally would! Your sewer system will thank you.

You can also look into purchasing RV-specific toilet paper should you have a finicky rig. While it may be expensive, RV toilet paper breaks down much faster than any other type, and is readily available in most stores.

Use Extra Water

RV toilets can be an adjustment if you and your family are used to indoor plumbing. For the average house toilet, the amount of water is predetermined by the toilet’s system and inner workings.

In an RV, the amount of water that you use in your toilet is usually determined by the user. This can be great for functionality, or it can potentially spell disaster for your black tank. 

If you are able to use more water than you usually do while using the toilet, it can promote more lubrication and natural flow of the solid waste found in your black tank. It can be hard to determine how much water you should use, and it can be tedious to fill the bowl after every use.

However, more water is usually worth it if you aren’t boondocking and have access to a dump station. It makes the flow a lot stronger, pulling out even more solid waste and toilet paper when you reach the dump station!

Perform Regular Maintenance

You may be skeptical about using chemical based black tank cleaners. I can understand that, but they truly are the best tool for keeping your sewer system regularly maintained and taken care of.

Whether it’s a pod, capsule, tablet, powder, or liquid, dropping in a black tank cleaning solution at the end of your camping season is a good call. It also helps keep your tank smelling nice and fresh!

Conclusion

Having a clogged RV toilet is never fun. It can ruin a camping trip, but thankfully you don’t have to let it ruin yours!

Following this guide for both helpful RV toilet products as well as home remedies is a good idea, so that you can get back to enjoying your camping adventure without having to worry about a clogged toilet!