How to use a motorhome's chemical toilet: everything you need to know before your first trip
If it's your first time travelling in a motorhome, it's normal for the chemical toilet to raise a few doubts. However, after using it once or twice you'll find that it's much simpler than it seems.
Before every rental, I spend a few minutes showing my clients how it works. After that short explanation, they almost never have questions again. In this article I've put together everything you really need to know before setting off.
How a cassette toilet works
Under the toilet there's a removable cassette with a 22-litre capacity. That's where the waste is stored.
On the outside of the motorhome you'll find a service hatch right behind the bathroom. That's where you take the cassette out to empty it.
When the cassette is full, a red indicator lights up on the toilet panel. That's your sign it's time to empty it. red indicator on the toilet panel. That is the sign that the time has come to empty it.
How to use the toilet
Before using the toilet, open the inner hatch by moving the blue lever to the right.
Once open, you can use the WC in the exact same way as the one at home.
When you're done, press the flush button. In our motorhomes, the water for flushing comes from the vehicle's clean water tank.
After flushing, close the hatch again by moving the lever back. It only takes a few seconds, and it stops odours building up during your trip while also keeping the cassette fully sealed while you drive.
What can be flushed down the toilet
You can use ordinary toilet paper.
When I started out working with motorhomes, I only used special chemical toilet paper. Over time I found that ordinary toilet paper works perfectly well too. What really matters is always using the right chemical treatment and emptying the cassette regularly.
What you should never flush down the toilet is:
- Wet wipes.
- Kitchen roll.
- Feminine hygiene products.
- Nappies.
- Cotton buds.
- Any object that does not dissolve in water.
Most blockages are caused precisely by this type of waste.
How to remove the cassette
When the red indicator lights up, open the outer hatch.
Press the yellow lock button and pull the cassette out.
If it's your first time doing this, don't be surprised to see a blue liquid inside. It's the chemical that helps break down waste and reduce odours.
Where to empty the cassette toilet
Finding a place to empty the cassette is usually easier than it seems.
You can do it in:
- Campsites.
- Motorhome service areas.
- Specific emptying zones.
- Some petrol stations that have a sanitary area for motorhomes.
Those same places will usually let you empty your grey water tank too. If you're not sure how that works yet, take a look at my article on the grey water tank in a motorhome.
How to empty the cassette properly
Lift the drain tube and unscrew the cap.
If your cassette has a vent button, press it while emptying the contents. This way, the liquid flows out continuously and without splashing.
After emptying it, I recommend rinsing the cassette twice with clean water.
It only takes a minute, and it helps keep the toilet in better condition.
What to add after emptying it
After rinsing the cassette, add about half a litre of water.
Then add one chemical toilet tablet. That's all it needs to work properly.
I also add about 100 ml of chemical fluid myself. This only goes into the cassette. Thanks to that, bad smells practically disappear, even on the hottest days.
After that, just slide the cassette back in until you hear it click into place.
How often does the cassette need to be emptied?
For two people, the cassette usually lasts between three to four days.
If a family is travelling, everything depends on the type of trip.
When you're camping out in nature, the toilet gets used more often and the cassette fills up sooner.
On the other hand, if you spend several days at a campsite and use its bathrooms too, a cassette can last almost a week.
You don't need to wait for the indicator to light up. If you know you'll be passing a service area, it's a good idea to empty it while you're there.
If you'd like to know how long a motorhome can go without hooking up to a campsite, take a look at my article on motorhome autonomy.
What to do if the cassette is already full?
Sometimes there are still several hours left until the next emptying point and the cassette is already full.
In that case there is an emergency solution.
You can place a heavy-duty bin bag inside the toilet bowl, use it and then tie it up securely and throw it in the rubbish bin.
It is not a solution for regular use, but it can get you out of a tight spot during the trip.
Are there motorhomes with a different type of toilet?
Yes.
Dry or composting toilets, which work without a cassette or chemicals, are becoming increasingly common.
However, the vast majority of rental motorhomes still use the classic chemical cassette toilet because it is a simple, reliable and very easy-to-maintain system.
Five mistakes almost every beginner makes
Before every handover, I always remind guests of these five tips:
- Open the valve before using the toilet.
- Always shut it after flushing.
- Add water and the chemical each time you empty the cassette.
- Do not flush wet wipes or other non-biodegradable waste down the toilet.
- If you know you are going to pass a service station, take the opportunity to empty the cassette before it fills up completely.
In practice, the chemical toilet ends up being one of the simplest parts of the motorhome. Just use it once and you'll lose any worry, finding it works pretty much the same as the one at home.
If you're getting ready for your first trip, take a look at the equipment fitted in our motorhomes to see everything included as standard. Before every rental I'll also walk you through personally how each system in the vehicle works, so you can start your trip with total peace of mind.
If you'd like to know all about our vehicles and plan your route with more confidence, come and visit LSR365, where you'll find practical tips based on our experience and everything you need to know about motorhome rental on the Costa Blanca.