Porta Potti

My (dutch!! ;-) ) manual states the same. I've been using a porta potti for years and just used ordinary toilet paper. No problems at all.
What I don't know is or our kind of toilet paper here in Europe differs significantly from yours. My opinion? Just give it a try.

Cheers, Ron

I cannot give a specific answer Terry. Cos I aint never used one yet :)

They probably mean to use septic safe paper.

Not all paper is suitable for septic tank use. It needs to be able to brake down quickly.

Most paper will have on the package if it is safe for septic tank use.

Don't use newspaper, cos most people in newspapers are already in enough bleep :)

Hope that helps

Terry - Maybe the last page of the manual is made from the exact type of paper you're required to use?? [;-)

There are actually two types of toilet paper produced - "septic safe" and regular paper.
You'll find the regular paper is the cheap, newspaper-feel type you come across in public toilets that are connected to deep sewerage.

"Septic-safe" toilet paper degrades more quickly and more easily than the regular paper.
Google "septic-safe toiler paper" to find out more, and find which brands are classed as "Septic-safe".

Hi Terry,

I have always used Delsey brand unbleached toilet paper, available in most supermarkets.
This paper is strong enough to use, but breaks down quickly in the waste tank.

Some toilet paper is constructed of 3 or 4 ply and the thicker the paper, the more room it takes up in the tank.

As well as using unbleached toilet paper, get rid of the Thetford chemicals that came with the porta potti. The green stuff (which is added to the waste tank) contains formaldehyde, a very nasty substance that is not good for you, or the environment.

Simply use Home Brand Nappisan, which is basically sodium percarbonate which uses an oxy action to break down waste.
A couple of lids full in the waste (bottom) tank with a little water and I also add about a teaspoon full to the flush tank.
Works extremely well, is cheap and easy to carry.
Best of all, it is kind to the environment if buried in the ground, or added to a sullage (dump) disposal system.

And a bonus is that Nappisan is excellent to have on hand to wash your "smalls, socks, shirts etc. when camping for longer periods. I just wack a lid full into a bucket of warm water, let soak for a long as you like, then a quick rinse in fresh water and hang out to dry.

Some of us remember using nappisan to wash cloth nappies, before the days of those dreaded disposable nappies that folk prefer today. No thought as to how to dispose of them. Just drop in the nearest bin (or worse, no bin at all) and let somebody else resolve the problem)

Okay, sermon over.

Hi Terry,

Rays Outdoors and BCF sell the Thetford Aqua Soft toilet rolls for the porta potti.

They are apparently quicker dissolving and more septic friendly than regular paper.

Cost around $6.95 for a pack of 4, from memory.

Regards


Barry H

We use regular toilet paper of the same brands we use at home. These are all septic safe. After a bit of movement when travelling the paper dissolves. If you have any concerns, deposit used paper into a plastic bag, seal and bin it. Cheap grocery store stuff will do the job; perhaps Thetford has a vested interest in selling you more expensive products.

Check my Blog on Toilet Chemical Alternatives and more.

Motherhen

Thanks all. There are so many things to learn about this off-roading (should I say) crap!

We always use Cottonelle both at home and in the van Porta-Crapper.

We buy it when on special for around 50c a roll.

It is strong, light and breaks down easilly in the bottom (pun??) tank.

Just go and use what is recommended. It's not a million dollars a roll and won't break the bank. There must be a reason otherwise they wouldn't say it. I think that it's a septic tank thing if you really need to know.

We use the recommended paper.

Phil