Any sanitizing agent strong enough to quickly kill what’s in the bowl will slowly kill the beneficial bacteria in the holding tank, leading to increased sludge and odors.
We’re going to coach you to clean in moderation, because any cleaner that is harsh enough to meet the expectations of a homeowner looking for minimal work is also likely to damage your head and holding tank system. Recently readers have asked about cleaners that are safe, and sure enough, over the years we’ve run into evidence that improper cleaning can do real harm. We’ve reported on the best hoses, joker valves, toilet paper, and holding tank treatments. It’s not sailing, but we’ve got to talk about it because it’s not fun when it goes wrong.
