How to use Bio washing pods in Porta Potti 335?

NoviceCaliOwner · Apr 1, 2023

Hi all and apologies for the silly questions ….

I’ve seen some people say you can use bio pods (such as Ariel) in the porta potti 335?

Which pods have people used?
Whereabouts do you put the pods? Do you just put them in the bottom part and add some water ?? How much water do you use?

Silly questions I know but I’d appreciate the help.

Thanks

chockswahay · Apr 1, 2023

Just chuck one in the holding (lower) tank and add a couple of litres of warm (or cold) water and away you go :thumb

If you want to avoid filling up the loo too quickly just pee in a bottle/jar/old screenwash bottle. A funnel or similar might help if your aim is poor or you are female

NoviceCaliOwner · Apr 1, 2023

chockswahay said:
Just chuck one in the holding (lower) tank and add a couple of litres of warm (or cold) water and away you go

If you want to avoid filling up the loo to quickly just pee in a bottle/jar/old screenwash bottle. A funnel of similar might help if your aim is poor or you are female

Thank you

dspuk · Apr 2, 2023

Had read about this in a Camping magazine. While I’m sure it “works” is it better to use a washing up liquid pod rather just paying the tenner for the actual fluid that is designed to work with the toilet? Sounds like a hack too far, although given the number of people that use it clearly one that works in someway. In my head the liquid would have a “neutralising agent” specifically designed to work with human piddle, but I’m no chemist.

chockswahay · Apr 2, 2023

dspuk said:
Had read about this in a Camping magazine. While I’m sure it “works” is it better to use a washing up liquid pod rather just paying the tenner for the actual fluid that is designed to work with the toilet? Sounds like a hack too far, although given the number of people that use it clearly one that works in someway. In my head the liquid would have a “neutralising agent” specifically designed to work with human piddle, but I’m no chemist.

It is indeed a mystery

However we have used the ‘proper’ green stuff and Non Bio pods (Aldi or Lidl) and they do indeed work. One of the main reasons people use them is they are safe for cess pits so do not need a chemical disposal point.

Interestingly the smells that develop in these toilets come from the urine not the poo

which is the main reason for separate wee container. And if you are away for a while this does mean the loo will last well over a week between emptying :thumb

Yup, toilet threads are a bit :Depressed

but going to the loo is something we ALL do

Of course if you only ever stay on sites and never feel the ‘urgent need’ to go to the toilet then this entire Porta Potti based subject is irrelevant :thumb

andyinluton · Apr 2, 2023

The washing pods seem to work just as well as the specific stuff at smell suppression & to me smell far nicer than the thetford liquid.

The important bit is the pods are far nicer to handle and take up only a tiny amount of space. The thetford liquid stains everything & is another container that needs storing upright somewhere.

Mollymoo · Apr 2, 2023

Thanks for the info re the pods. We have been using the Thetford pink liquid for the top and blue for the bottom. Bought some bio pods and still have pink left. Once we use the pink up do we need to use it for the top section or are we wasting our money?

chockswahay · Apr 2, 2023

Mollymoo said:
Thanks for the info re the pods. We have been using the Thetford pink liquid for the top and blue for the bottom. Bought some bio pods and still have pink left. Once we use the pink up do we need to use it for the top section or are we wasting our money?

We only ever use plain water for the top section

Viktorgeorge · Apr 2, 2023

chockswahay said:
We only ever use plain water for the top section

Ditto, on the top tank: except I add a small drop of Zoflora. I also have a Zoflora aerosol can which we use again lightly around and below the seat.

Like others I just use a dishwasher tablet (eco) in lower tank.

dspuk · Apr 2, 2023

chockswahay said:
It is indeed a mystery However we have used the ‘proper’ green stuff and Non Bio pods (Aldi or Lidl) and they do indeed work. One of the main reasons people use them is they are safe for cess pits so do not need a chemical disposal point.

Interestingly the smells that develop in these toilets come from the urine not the poo which is the main reason for separate wee container. And if you are away for a while this does mean the loo will last well over a week between emptying

Yup, toilet threads are a bit but going to the loo is something we ALL do

Of course if you only ever stay on sites and never feel the ‘urgent need’ to go to the toilet then this entire Porta Potti based subject is irrelevant

Lol. We are site dwellers so numbers ones in the PP only! We just about to head up to the NC500 and our brother Jocks only like the green stuff so have swapped the blue for green for now.

chockswahay · Apr 2, 2023

dspuk said:
Lol. We are site dwellers so numbers ones in the PP only! We just about to head up to the NC500 and our brother Jocks only like the green stuff so have swapped the blue for green for now.

Haha, well in that case i wouldn't even bother with any chemicals or washing tabs..... just empty the loo daily :thumb

Mollymoo · Apr 2, 2023

Thanks for the replies and info. We'll use up the existing pink stuff and switch to water only and eco stuff in the bottom.

Pombear4 · Apr 3, 2023

We use the Thretford green sachets in ours. More expensive than the liquid but much easier to store.

NoviceCaliOwner · Apr 6, 2023

chockswahay said:
It is indeed a mystery However we have used the ‘proper’ green stuff and Non Bio pods (Aldi or Lidl) and they do indeed work. One of the main reasons people use them is they are safe for cess pits so do not need a chemical disposal point.

Interestingly the smells that develop in these toilets come from the urine not the poo which is the main reason for separate wee container. And if you are away for a while this does mean the loo will last well over a week between emptying

Yup, toilet threads are a bit but going to the loo is something we ALL do

Of course if you only ever stay on sites and never feel the ‘urgent need’ to go to the toilet then this entire Porta Potti based subject is irrelevant

Assume these are the ones in LIDL ??

andyinluton · Apr 6, 2023

NoviceCaliOwner said:
Assume these are the ones in LIDL ??

they will do but just use the cheapest you can find from anywhere, dishwasher tablets, washing machine pods anything like that. They all have similar formulas, just stuff to breakdown grease & dirt & bit of something to make stuff smell nice.

ejmoore · Apr 7, 2023

NoviceCaliOwner said:
I’ve seen some people say you can use bio pods (such as Ariel) in the porta potti 335?

Which pods have people used?

I think it's the non-bio pods that you should use, so they'll be ok for septic tanks. But I haven't tried this myself.

Viktorgeorge · Apr 7, 2023

ejmoore said:
I think it's the non-bio pods that you should use, so they'll be ok for septic tanks. But I haven't tried this myself.

Personally, I use Ecover Zero Dishwasher Tablets, for the septic tank etc. reasons you have given.

Milly Molly · Apr 9, 2023

Pombear4 said:
We use the Thretford green sachets in ours. More expensive than the liquid but much easier to store.

I looked at using those, but the instructions say they are for 20L, but the porta potti is only 10L. Do you still just use one per tank?

How to use Bio washing pods in Porta Potti 335?

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