Does the thought of a composting toilet irk you? Who wouldn’t be anyway?
For the longest time, composting toilets have evoked unpleasant reactions and emotions in users and homeowners.
The facilities are considered filthy and unhygienic and the fact that they are completely waterless systems make them even less desirable.
But you don’t have to live in Fear-Ville.
A composting toilet can offer the most pleasant sanitary experience and you can keep them as clean as a whistle.
Of course regular maintenance is necessary like you do for other facilities in your home. If there are cracks or leaks you need to fix them as soon as possible.
Being waterless systems, composting toilet cleaning saves you gallons of water compared to the water flush systems but will require extra attention especially if you are to keep off pests and bad odor.
There’s no toilet that never requires cleaning anyway. One is yet to be invented so until then, you won’t get out of cleaning your waterless composting toilet every now and then.
Composting Toilet Parts that Need Cleaning
The modern composting toilets are no longer the basic DIY toilets that involve large buckets with wood ash and coco coir.
Homeowners now have easy access to aesthetically manufactured composting toilets that look like the conventional flush toilets.
In short, your waterless composting toilet comes built with a bowl or pedestal, a toilet seat and lid.
Here’s a look into these composting toilet parts that need cleaning in slight detail.
a) The Pedestal or Bowl
Like the water closet, the composting toilet has a bowl or pedestal that comes in different colors.
High levels of hygiene are required for the bowl since it’s the first thing that a user sets their eyes on. Who wants to walk into a toilet that has poop smeared on the bowl?
Gross, right!
To clean the toilet bowl spritz some biodegradable or all natural flush enzymes around the bowl and gently scrub around the bowl with a toilet brush.
You can then use some wet paper towel or toilet paper to wipe the inside of the bowl.
Also, there are toilet deodorizers and detergents that go a long way in fighting foul smells in your composting toilet. Make use of such cleaning accessories to keep your toilet smelling fresh.
It is important to note what your waterless flush system can handle. Some materials are so harsh that they kill the natural bacteria necessary in the composting process. It is therefore advisable to use only the cleaning accessories recommended for composting toilets.
b) The Toilet Seat and Lid
This is the most sensitive part of the toilet, for obvious reasons. Who wants to sit on a filthy toilet when you are really, really have to go?
This part of the composting toilet needs regular cleaning from time to time. Also, use the natural detergents and bacterial digestants to kill germs and keep the toilet odor free.
It is advisable to use wet paper towel to wipe the toilet surfaces each time a user goes to the toilet.
Must-Have composting Toilet Cleaning Accessories- Detergents, Sanitizers, and Deodorizers
Here are 6 cleaning products that can be used with a composting toilet.
- GEMPLER’S Extra-Strong All Natural Bacterial Digestant
- Flo-Kem 5195 Flo-Zyme Commercial Bio-Enzyme Deodorizer
- Sun-Mar 16 oz. Compost Quick
- Sun-Mar Microbe Mix
- Jobe’s Organics Compost Starter
- ODOREZE Natural Portable Toilet Odor Eliminator
1. GEMPLER’S Extra-Strong All Natural Bacterial Digestant
Decomposing organic wastes in composting toilets helps in quickly forming humus that can be used in enriching soil nutrients.
And what better way is this achieved than from the use of all-natural enzymes and bacteria? Gempler’s extra-strong all natural bacterial digestant is a powerful liquefier that converts waste into manure, carbon dioxide and water.
It also plays a big role in reducing foul odors in composting systems leading to odorless toilets.
Product Features
- All- natural enzymes and bacteria
- Not limited to use in septic systems
- USDA Accepted
- 1 gallon
- Item weighs 9.1 pounds
Pros
- Keeps the system clear
- Hastens the decomposition process
- Liquefies wastes
Cons
- Converts waste into carbon dioxide and water that forms into liquid sewer that stinks
2. Flo-Kem 5195 Flo-Zyme Commercial Bio-Enzyme Deodorizer with Pleasant Scent, 1 Gallon Bottle, Milky White
If you are looking for a bacterial or enzyme odor control product that will not interfere with the aerobic bacteria and the decomposition process in your composting toilet then this is it.
Apart from hastening the composting process by breaking down suspended solids the product is a deodorizer that eliminates foul smells.
If you have a waste treatment plant where you transfer compost for sterilization before utilizing as fertilizer for your garden, Flo-Zyme works perfectly as it is a live bacteria treatment solution.
It is non-pathogenic and therefore harmless to animals, plants and marine life.
Product Features
- 1 gallon bottle
- White milky suspension
- Pleasant smelling deodorizer
- All-natural product with over 225 billion enzyme-producing bacteria
- Hazy white in color
- 1 year shelf life
- 2 years stability at 35 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit
- Aerobic and facultative anaerobic pathways
- Item weight is 8.55 pounds
- Item dimensions 11.4 x 5.9 x 5.5 inches
Pros
- Is an all-natural enzyme therefore is biodegradable
- Breaks down and liquefies suspended solids like fats, oils, greases and other proteins hastening the decomposition process
- Eliminates foul odors
- Is a heavy duty bio-enzyme formula that helps in unclogging tough blocked drains
- Has a pleasant scent
Cons
- Liquefies waste into liquid sewer that stinks
3. Sun-Mar 16 oz. Compost Quick
A product from the Sun-Mar brand, the Sun-Mar 16 Compost Quick is a spray best suited for use in composting toilets.
Not only does it accelerate aerobic bacterial activity to hasten the composting process but also serves as a cleaner for the toilet bowl and bowl liners in central and self-contained composting toilets respectively.
Product Features
- Packaged in a 16 ounce spray bottle
Pros
- Non-Toxic
- 100% Natural
Cons
- Is a bit costly
4. Sun _Mar Microbe Mix
This is another composting toilet cleaning product from the Sun-Mar brand.
Product Features
- 500g (17.6oz) dry
- One gallon or container for one month
Pros
- 100% natural
- Is a blend of useful enzymes and microbes
- Kick starts the decomposition of wastes
- Accelerates composting process
Cons
There are cheaper alternatives in the market
5. Jobe’s Organics Compost Starter 4-4-2, 09926, 4 pounds, 4 lb
This is a compost starter from Jobe’s Organics ideal for composting toilets. It is useful in hastening the decomposition process of the compost piles.
It is an organic product that includes Biozome in its components the proprietary microorganism archaea that aggressively breaks down organic material for faster results.
Product Features
- Certified Organic
- Easy pour bag
- Item weight 4.3 pounds
- 18.5 x 7 x 9.5 inches in dimension
- Manufactured by Easy Gardener
- OMRI listed for organic gardening by USDA
Pros
- No synthetic materials used in the products
- Quickens the formation of compost
- Improves soil condition
- Disease resistant
- Pest proof
- Drought resistant especially during the growing season
Cons
- Applicable only every 4 to 6 weeks irrespective of the amount of pile
6. ODOREZE Natural Portable Toilet Odor Eliminator: Makes 64 Gallons to Stop Outhouse Stink
Here’s another awesome toilet deodorizing product that will help in keeping away foul odors from your composting toilet.
Product Features
- Made from natural ingredients
- No harmful chemicals, phosphates or carcinogens
- Eco-friendly
- Non-toxic and Biodegradable
- Item weight is 2 pounds
- The product is 2 x 4.5 x 9 inches in dimensions
Pros
- Cost effective
- Eliminates fouls odors instead of just covering up with fragrances
- Easy to use
- Non-flammable
Cons
- Is water soluble, making it less ideal for waterless composting toilets
Other cleaning items
Apart from the detergents, sanitizers and deodorizers consider the following issues that will also go a long way in influencing the cleaning and maintenance of your composting toilet.
a) The type of toilet paper used
Another must have toilet cleaning accessory is the 100 % biodegradable toilet paper by Freedom Living.
This toilet paper acts as an excellent cleaning agent when used to wipe the toilet bowl after each use since it dissolves as soon as it has done its job alleviating fears of clogged systems or toilets.
Product Features
- 2 Ply tissue
- 8 pack model
- 20.1 x 9.8 x 4.1 inches in package dimensions
- Safe to use in septic tanks
Pros
- Extra soft and gently textured
- 100% biodegradable
- Does not clog the toilet
- Durable
- Safe to use in composting toilets for RVs and campervans
b) Use of Biodegradable Disposable bags
Disposable bags make the cleaning process of composting toilets much easier and when they are 100% biodegradable Mother Nature is not in harm’s way.
Green Elephant offers toilet replacement bags that are biodegradable and eco friendly.
Product Features
- 15 Large compost bags
- Home certified
- 8 Gallon bag capacity
- Heavy duty design
Pros
- 100% Biodegradable
- Easy to use
- Ideal for homes, campervans and RVs
- Perfect fit for composting toilet seats
- Eco Friendly
Cons
- Poorly fitting if toilet chairs are not from the Green Elephant brand
Final Word
For your composting toilet to work perfectly, it is advisable to adhere to manufacturer’s instructions. There are numerous toilet sanitizers and fresheners in the market.
The user manual should detail the products that best suit the composting toilet you choose to buy.
Proper composting toilet cleaning and regular maintenance will go a long way in ensuring you enjoy your waterless composting facility.
Good luck!
