Nothing beats getting a cold drink after a long drive. We're accustomed to safe tap water in the UK, but it's important to keep in mind that your motorhome's water tanks require some attention from time to time, to ensure the water quality is at its best. Dirt can slip into the tank, resulting in bacteria or unpleasant odours.
But with the right upkeep, your water tank can remain clean and fresh. You can ensure you always have a clean glass of water within reach on the road. Here is everything you need to know about cleaning the water tank of your motorhome, including draining the boiler, water tank and pipes thoroughly.
What products should you use to clean your water tank?
There are a lot of products marketed towards cleaning your motorhome, so it can be difficult to pinpoint the right ones for you. There's a lot to consider in choosing what to clean your water tank with, so we'll run you through the most popular options.
Steradent
Steradent is actually a product that’s used to clean dentures. Even though it is not an aggressive agent, you can use it for multiple purposes, such as cleaning your campervan water tank. For this, you'll require one tube of Steradent to 30 litres of hot water. Dissolve it and fill the tank with this solution. If you feel comfortable, we recommend taking your motorhome for a short drive, so that the Steradent solution spreads well by sloshing around the water tank. After some time, you can flush the water tank again with clean drinking water. The water tank is now ready to be filled once more!
Bleach
Another option for cleaning the water tank in your motorhome is to stick to a classic, bleach. Once again, it is important to drain the water tank, boiler and pipes. Then mix one cap of bleach (without odor) to 50 litres of water. Fill your water tank with this mixture. After 24 hours, flush the tank and pipes with clean water. Voila!
Cleaning vinegar
You can also clean the water tank using cleaning vinegar. It inhibits the growth of bacteria and algae. You follow the same procedure as bleach. For a tank of 100 litres of water, you’ll need one litre of cleaning vinegar. Let everything soak in for 24 hours, and then rinse the tank and pipes well with clean water.
Tips for maintaining your water tank
While cleaning your water tank is important, that's not where your upkeep ends. There are several things you can do to maintain your water tank and reduce the frequency of cleaning it.
1. Never fill your water tank completely. We often recommend this as a way to reduce your fuel usage through reducing the weight of the vehicle. But this also ensures that you're not allowing water to sit stagnant for long periods of time.
2. Fill up small amounts frequently. So instead of filling up once and drinking this over days, it's far better to fill up every 1-2 days so you're constantly drinking fresh water.
3. Empty your tank after a trip. Don't let water remain in the tank if you won't be using your motorhome for a long period.
4. Run water through your pipes every now and then, this keeps things moving.
5. Cleaning! Using the products recommended, clean your motorhome water tank at least twice a year. It's best to do this after bringing your motorhome out of winter storage, or right after a heatwave.
Ready to enjoy that cold glass of water after a long drive? Or perhaps it's time to clean your motorhome chemical toilet next!
