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Chemical Toilets - How to Use & Maintain a Chemical Toilet or "Porta Potty" InspectAPedia®  -          How to prepare a chemical toilet for use How to use a chemical toilet How to empty a chemical toilet and where to empty it How to clean and winterize a chemical toilet How to keep a chemical toilet ready for winter use in freezing conditions Questions & answers about buying, using, maintaining, repairing, and emptying out a chemical toilet or porta potty.

This article provides the details of the set-up, use, maintenance, cleaning,and emptying-out of chemical toilets. We also discuss portable toilet repairs and winterizing.

The photograph at page top is of the Century 6205 2.6-Gallon Portable Toilet by Century Tool, a portable toilet which uses chemicals to deodorize and disinfect toilet waste. We built the wooden platform shown underneath this toilet in order to raise the seat height to a more comfortable position, but in normal use this toilet works just fine placed directly on a floor or on the ground outdoors. Other common portable toilets include models from Thetford, Sears, the Coleman, and Reliance toilets who provide a hassock model portable chemical toilet.

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Chemical Toilets: use a chemically treated reservoir located directly below the toilet seat. The chemicals reduce odors and perform partial (incomplete) disinfection of the waste. Chemical toilets have limited storage capacity and must be emptied and cleaned by the user.

Toilet Tips: How to Use and Maintain a Chemical Toilet

Here are complete details for operation and maintenance of the chemical porta-potty toilet.

Before First Use of the Toilet

1. Check for deodorant/disinfectant: pull out the “T” handle located at the center of the toilet front to open the sliding door that separates the toilet bowl from the waste reservoir and look into the toilet base. If you see blue-green powder or liquid on the toilet bottom and perhaps a tiny amount of water then the toilet is ready for use. If there is no chemical visible in the toilet base the follow step 2. Otherwise go to step 3.
   
2. Add deodorant/disinfectant: locate the chemical toilet disinfectant/deodorant chemicals. Both dry powder and liquid versions of chemical toilet holding tank deodorants and cleaners are available, as we show below where our photographs illustrate Coleman toilet holding tank chemical and Thetford's AquaKem toilet tank deodorant and sanitizer.

How to add chemical deodorant / disinfectant to a chemical toilet

1. Separate the toilet top and bottom sections by un-latching the white plastic clips on the left and right side of the toilet, then lift the top away from the bottom section and set it aside.
2. Open the waste reservoir: Pull the “T” handle located at the center of the front of the toilet base (same handle as described in step 1 above) to open the sliding door that opens the waste reservoir in the toilet base.
3. Add chemical disinfectant (see How much chemical to add below).
4. Replace the toilet top half onto the bottom reservoir base and re-latch the two side clips that secure these parts together.
5. Add water: Push the toilet flushing rubber accordion-valve on the rear left corner of the toilet once or twice to flush water from the toilet top water tank into the toilet bowl. If there is no clean water in the toile top flush reservoir, see How to add water to the toilet top flush tank below).
6. Close the waste reservoir opening by pushing the “T” handle back in.

The portable chemical toilet is now ready to use.

How much toilet disinfectant / deodorizing chemical to add

One packet of dry powder, or one plastic bottle of liquid portable toilet disinfectant / deodorant (shown above) is sufficient to treat forty gallons of wastewater, but this toilet base only holds about three gallons of waste, so just use a tiny amount, about 1/10 of a dry powder packet or 1/10 of a liquid bottle of chemical. Just estimate – precision is not necessary. Keep the chemicals away from children.

How to Use a Chemical Toilet

3. Have a Seat. Please use this toilet only from the sitting position. Standing means messy splashes.
4. Toilet tissue: we prefer to use RV-type biodegradable toilet tissue, but because this toilet is to be emptied into a septic system, any kind of toilet tissue is acceptable. See TOILET TISSUE TEST for an ongoing test of the break-down of several types of toilet paper including RV-type toilet paper recommended for chemical toilets and RV/Marine sewage holding tanks.
5. Flushing the toilet after use:

1. Open the waste reservoir in the toilet base - Pull the “T” handle located at the center of the front of the toilet base (same handle as described in step 1 above) to open the sliding door that opens the waste reservoir in the toilet base.
2. Flush: Push the toilet flushing rubber accordion-valve on the rear left corner of the toilet once or twice to flush water from the toilet top water tank into the toilet bowl. (see “How to add water to the toilet top flush tank” below). One or two pushes of the valve are usually sufficient. More is ok but you will need to empty the waste reservoir sooner if excessive flush water is used.
3. Close the waste reservoir – push the “T” handle back in.

How to Add Water to the Chemical Toilet Top Flush Tank

6. If the toilet top flush water reservoir needs water
1. Separate the toilet top and bottom sections by un-latching the white plastic clips on the left and right side of the toilet, then lift the top away from the bottom section.
2. Carry the toilet top section to a convenient location close to a garden hose.
3. Unscrew the white plastic cap on the top right corner of the toilet top section and fill the tank about ¾ full with clean water. Precision is not necessary, just estimate. Filling the tank completely is ok but makes it a bit heavier for some folks to carry.
4. Replace the white plastic cap on the toilet reservoir tank.
5. Replace the toilet top half onto the bottom reservoir base and re-latch the two side clips that secure these parts together.

When to Empty and Clean the Chemical Toilet

When you observe that the toilet bottom waste reservoir tank is getting full (liquid is near the top of the opening visible when you pull the “T” handle out to give view into the bottom tank) the toilet needs to be emptied.

Or

When use of  the toilet is not going to be required for a few days or longer periods it should be emptied, cleaned, and left empty.

The illustration at left shows simple pictorial instructions provided by Century Tool, the manufacturer of the portable toilet used to illustrate this article.

1. Adding toilet deodorant / disinfectant through the toilet waste reservoir base opening.
2. Do not pour toilet chemicals directly into the toilet bowl.
3. Pump water from the toilet top section flush reservoir into the toilet bowl
4. Pull the "T" lever to empty water or waste into the toilet bottom reservoir, (then push this opening closed again).
5. How to un-latch and separate the toilet top and bottom sections
6. Carrying the portable toilet waste reservoir to a dumping station
7. Emptying the portable toilet waste reservoir into a toilet.

How to Empty and Clean the Chemical Toilet

Be sure that the toilet bottom reservoir is closed: that is, assure that the “T” handle at the toilet front has been pushed in.

Carry the toilet outside: For convenience the entire toilet can be carried outside, or if you prefer, separate the top and bottom sections of the toilet while it is still indoors, and then each half can be carried separately outside. Handles on the rear of both top and bottom halves of the toilet allow easy carrying.

7. Separate the toilet top and bottom sections if you have not already done so.
8. Empty the toilet waste reservoir by unscrewing the large round cap found on the rear of the toilet waste reservoir. You’ll notice that when carrying the toilet waste reservoir by its handle this cap will be “up” and the “T” handle or toilet front will be facing down.

Wash the toilet top and bottom halves thoroughly outside using a garden hose. If a small amount of deodorant/disinfectant remains in the waste reservoir you can add water from a garden hose, slosh the waste inside the reservoir to loosen it, and then empty this diluted wastewater out.

Where to Empty a Chemical Toilet or "porta potty"

If a local septic tank outdoor access port is available, open the septic tank pump-out port at the top of the septic tank cleaning riser pipe. Pour the toilet waste reservoir contents into that opening and replace the cap on the pumping port immediately. Dump into Septic Tank? discusses this topic. SEPTIC & CESSPOOL SAFETY discusses the importance of safe, non-collapsing and child-proof septic tank access covers.

If the septic tank pump-out port has become buried by deep snow, or if no septic tank outdoor port nor RV dumping station is available, the portable toilet can be emptied into an indoor toilet – pour carefully so as not to splash.

How to Store a Chemical Toilet When Not in Use

When use of the chemical toilet is not going to be required for a few days or longer periods it should be emptied completely, washed, and left empty.

For odor and sanitation control, add a fresh dose of disinfectant/deodorant to the toilet waste reservoir followed by about a half-cup of water (just enough to wet the dry chemical and cover the bottom of the waste reservoir). (See How Much Chemical to Add above).

Do not leave the toilet top tank filled with flush-water as it may freeze and damage the toilet.

Replacing the Accordion Valve on a Chemical Toilet or Porta Potty

Question: How can I replace the accordion valve flush-plunger on my chemical toilet?

The accordian valve on my chemical toilet is damaged. Can it be replaced? - B. Howard

Reply: Yes but it's not easy to replace the accord ian valve or flush valve on a porta potty

The accordion valve on a chemical toilet is that flexible plunger pushed to force water from the reservoir tank into the toilet bowl (photo at left). On at least some chemical toilets it's a replaceable part - you'll want to obtain exactly the proper part that matches your toilet to be sure that the replacement fits and doesn't leak.

I've replaced similar parts by carefully cutting and pulling away the old accord ian valve without damaging the plastic that surrounds the valve mounting opening. The new valve may need to be warmed in hot water a bit as well as kept wet to fit it into the opening. But I found it was a difficult process.

Watch out: You'll probably find, as I did, that a sticky sealant is used between the accordion valve or flush valve surface and the upper surface of the plastic porta potty at the mounting hole. You may need a replacement sticky gasket kit from the manufacturer to do this job reliably. If you fail to seal the valve at its mount position the new toilet flush valve will look fine, but it may not pump an adequate dose of water into the toilet bowl for flushing.

Preparing a Chemical Toilet Porta Potty for Use in Freezing Conditions

Question: How to freeze-proof a porta potty

I want to keep my porta potty in my van for occasional use during the upcoming Michigan winter. How do I keep it useful without it freezing? - Bonnie Jones

Reply: RV Wastewater System Anti-Freeze, Heat, or Leave the System Empty

Short answer: to keep a portapotty in a van in freezing conditions, first buy and use RV wastewater and flush water environmentally safe antifreeze product from an RV supplier.

Option 1: leave the toilet drained, empty, and treated

We leave a chemical toilet in a remote cabin in northern Minnesota through very deep freezing weather. But first we empty the water from the flush reservoir and we empty the toilet base as well. Then we leave a very small quantity of water along with toilet treatment chemical in the toilet base receptacle. By that means the toilet fresh, without a lingering worry about developed odors, bacteria, or mold growth while it's sitting idle. The toilet is almost ready to use when people return to the cabin. All that's needed is to add water to the flush reservoir.

I would not leave any water in the toilet nor waste in the toilet in freezing conditions. The risk is that frozen water or wastewater breaks the toilet and later thaws, leaving a mess in your van.

Option 2: use an RV antifreeze product in the chemical toilet?

For buildings (or vans) where we need to leave a portapotty in ready-to-use condition in freezing conditions we'd have to add a heat source OR we'd need to add an antifreeze mix to be sure of avoiding damage. You MIGHT get away with letting a small amount of waste in the toilet bottom freeze but it's risky.

People who own an RV or a boat that includes water supply and waste piping learn that to winterize their vehicle they need to drain the system of water and usually they also add an antifreeze to be sure that pumps or any components that might contain residual water won't be damaged by freezing.

If you check with your local RV suppliers you'll find that they sell RV wastewater holding tank antifreeze for use in the holding tanks in those larger vehicles. Most RV and Marine antifreeze solutions use ethylene glycol (EG) or propylene glycol (PG), with glycerin as a primary second ingredient. Also in RV applications and some others, antifreeze solutions include phosphates as an anti-corrosion agent that you would not need in an all-plastic water or wastewater system. (Phosphate-containing antifreeze is used in the U.S. but prohibited in Europe.)

According to Splashproducts propylene glycol antifreeze is considered "generally regarded as safe" or "GRAS" by the U.S. FDA. The company states that their RV & Marine antifreeze is "Safe for incidental contact with people, pets, and wildlife". [1] We'd always prefer to use an environmentally safe product that can be used in both the flush water supply and in the wastewater holding tank if you are going to use an antifreeze in a chemical toilet or portapotty.

You will also find "drinkable" antifreeze (propylene glycol based antifreeze) sold by other RV suppliers and intended for use in the RV's drinking water holding tank and pump. Although no one is going to be drinking out of your porta-potty, that's what I'd prefer to use in the porta potty flush reservoir tank.

Watch out: be sure to follow the proper dilution instructions on the product label so that you don't over-dose your porta potty nor the dumping station into which it is later emptied.

Watch out: many antifreeze solutions are toxic if ingested (drunk) and may also be environmental contaminants that should not be dumped into a septic tank nor onto the ground surface.

Questions & Answers regarding this article

Questions & answers about buying, using, maintaining, repairing, and emptying out a chemical toilet or porta potty.

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TOILETS, INSPECT, INSTALL, REPAIR
TOILET ALTERNATIVES
  General Categories of Waterless
  Camping & Emergency Toilets
  Chemical Toilets
    How to Use & Maintain a Chemical Toilet
    Dump into Septic Tank?
  Composting Toilets
  Disabled or Elderly-Use Toilets
  Greywater Septic Systems
  Holding Tank Septic Systems
  Incinerator Toilet Systems
  OUTHOUSES & LATRINES
TOILET FLUSHOMETER VALVES
TOILET INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
TOILET OVERFLOW EMERGENCY
TOILET PLUGS, SEWER BACKUP
TOILET REPAIR GUIDE
TOILET TISSUE CHOICES
TOILET TISSUE TEST

• [1] Splash RV & Marine Antifreeze, Splashproducts, Inc., Tel (651) 489-8211, 51 East Maryland Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55117-4615, web search 05/10/2011, original source: MSDS for Splash Products found at http://www.splashwash.com/data_sheets%5CMSDS%20RV-100%20new%20format.pdf
• Products - for Alternative Septic System Designs aerobic system pumps, media filters, gravelless systems, other advanced wastewater treatment products including waterless, low water, chemical, and incinerating toilets.
• The Century 6205 2.6-Gallon Portable Toilet by Century Tool shown in the photograph at page top was purchased at Amazon.com and costs less than $100. Other Century Tool camping products can be seen at centurycamping.com/ .
• Coleman Corporation, 3600 North Hydrauli, Wichita, KS 67219, Tel: 1-800-835-3278, is a producer of camping equipment and gear, including chemical and portable toilets including both non-flush portable toilets and a large portable flush-toilet. Coleman has offices in many countries.
• Reliance Products, 1093 Sherwin Road, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3H 1A4, Toll Free: 1-800-665-0258, Telephone: (204) 633-4403, produces the Reliance Hassock Portable Toilet #00984421. Quoting from the company's website:
  Whether you’re on the road, in a campground, out on the water, or at the cabin, the Hassock is one of best portable toilets around. This lightweight, self-contained toilet has a comfortable contoured seat, a removable inner bucket for easy waste disposal and clean-up, an inner splash cover, and toilet paper holder.
  In addition, the Hassock is compatible with our standard Double Doodie bag, which means virtually no clean-up and waste disposal is a snap when used together.
  
• Rothco Corporation, 3015 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma, New York 11779-0512, Telephone: 631-585-9446, Toll Free: 800-645-5195 Domestic Fax: 631-585-9447, International Fax: 631-585-9442, Email: info@rothco.comTel. 800-645-5195; Rothco, founded in 1953, is a wholesale supplier of military and outdoor products including camping toilets. Quoting:
  ROTHCO is America’s foremost wholesale supplier of military and outdoor products. We carry an extensive line of apparel and gear available for domestic and overseas sale to resellers of all types: retail, wholesale, military, police, security, outdoor products, screen printers, uniform dealers, fashion retailers, and sportswear shops. For nearly 50 years we’ve primarily serviced independently-owned Army/Navy surplus stores across America, but in recent years ROTHCO has expanded our customer and product range to include new lines of sportswear and over 25% of our sales are now to overseas customers.
• Thetford Corporation 7101 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, Phone: 1-800-543-1219, 734-769-6000, Fax: 734-769-2023; Thetford produces a wide range of permanent and portable alternative toilet designs. Quoting:
  Our [toilet] products are easy to use at bedside and indispensable for the physically challenged, the aged, and small children.
  Thetford's list of toilet products suitable for home or bedside health care are listed at
  http://www.thetford.com/Thetford/HOME/ApplicationHome/BedsideApplications/tabid/94/Default.aspx

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