5 Best RV Fresh Water Tank Sanitizers Reviewed
Neglecting cleaning your RV’s fresh water tank is not a good idea, especially when your RV comes out of storage. When the tank gets contaminated, you will taste the difference the germs and parasites make in the very first sip you take.
The freshwater tank is the easiest holding tank to clean in any RV. The most difficult part is often finding the right product to use. So, we did the legwork for you and shortlisted some of the best RV fresh water tank sanitizers on the market.
5 Best RV Fresh Water Tank Sanitizers Reviewed
A 2005 study established that there is significant bacteria growth in freshwater in as short a span as seven days. But there’s no need to panic.
So long as you pick one of the best RV fresh water tank sanitizers and work to keep your tank clean, you won’t have to worry about germs in your water.
#1 Camco TastePURE Spring Fresh Water System Cleaner and Deodorizer
If you want to remove the smell from your freshwater tank and need a product that doesn’t leave a weird aftertaste, TastePURE’s Spring Fresh is the right product to pick.
Designed for RVs and boats, the safe formula quickly cleans your freshwater tank after a long winter.
But you can also use this cleaner periodically to refresh and deodorize the tank. A gallon of the Spring Fresh solution cleans up a 100-gallon tank.
Spring Fresh is one of the best RV fresh water tank sanitizers because the bottle comes with markings. You don’t have to measure the solution before pouring it into the tank, and mixing is not required either.
Pros
- One gallon cleans a 100-gallon tank
- Safe for both RVs and boats
- No measuring or mixing required
Cons
- One of the pricier products on this list
#2 THETFORD Fresh Water Tank Sanitizer
THETFORD’s sanitizer isn’t the typical single-bottle cleaning solution. It comes with two bottles: a detergent and a sanitizer to help thoroughly clean your freshwater tank.
Perfect for cleaning freshwater tanks on RVs, you must mix the detergent with the water as directed and let the faucets run for about a minute. You can then empty the tank and move on to the next step.
Sanitizing involves shutting off the water line, pouring the sanitizer into your tank as directed, and circulating the solution to all wet surfaces for at least a minute. You can then drain the tank and return it to service.
The detergent plus sanitizer combo can also effectively clean off hard water tanks, making it one of the best RV fresh water tank sanitizers.
Pros
- Kill 99% of harmful bacteria
- Easy-to-use, two-part cleaning solution
- No bleach or chlorine
Cons
- Foam and suds take a few rinses to remove
#3 STAR BRITE Aqua Water Tank & System Flush
Dewinterizing and cleaning your freshwater tank is a breeze with the STAR BRITE Aqua Water Tank & System Flush. It’ll quickly remove the scale and sediment in your freshwater tank that leave a bad odor and taste.
A gallon of the solution will clean a 100-gallon tank, and you can also use it to clean grey and black water tanks. It won’t neutralize head chemicals in the tanks, either, making it one of the best RV freshwater tank sanitizers.
Pros
- Clear bad smells and tastes
- Removes scale and sediment
- A gallon will clean a 100-gallon tank
Cons
- Needs a few rinses to leave the system
#4 STAR BRITE Aqua Water Shock
You can rely on Aqua Water Shock to eliminate chlorine, plastic, sulfur, or plastic tastes and odors from your freshwater tank. The formula is quite strong; you only need to add one fl oz of the solution for every 10 gallons of water.
Ideal for RVs coming out of storage, the solution has to be diluted before it is used to treat water. Cleaning with Aqua Water Shock will keep your tank clean for a long time, even in extreme temperatures.
Pros
- One fl oz needed for 10 gallons of water
- Keeps the tank fresh for weeks
- Safe for aluminum tanks
Cons
- None
#5 AQUA SHOCK H2O Fresh Water Tank Sanitizer
The AQUA SHOCK H2O sanitizer has been used to clean drinking water tanks in major airlines for over 35 years.
The EPA-approved sanitizer will freshen up your freshwater tank without chlorination. It is one of the best RV fresh water tank sanitizers money can buy.
Pros
- Powerful against biofilm
- No THM formation
- One ounce is needed for every 30 gallons of water
Cons
- Most expensive product on this list
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I disinfect my fresh water tank?
Drain the tank and mix your product with one or two gallons of fresh water. Pour the mix into the tank, then fill it with more water. Doing this rather than pouring the sanitizer into a full tank will help mix the disinfectant with the water evenly. Leave the tank for a few hours before draining and rinsing.
How do I get rid of the smell in my RV freshwater tank?
Sanitizing your RV with any of the products listed in this post will clear the smell from your freshwater tank. If you’ve used chlorine bleach to clean your freshwater tank, pour a cup of vinegar into the tank, and let it sit for a few hours. Let your faucets run for a minute to clear the smell from the plumbing, then drain the tank.
How often should you sanitize an RV fresh water tank?
You need to sanitize your RV’s fresh water tank twice a year – once every six months. However, if you’re on the road constantly, you might need to clean your freshwater tank more frequently – at least once in three months.
How long can you keep water in a freshwater RV tank?
Storing water in your RV’s fresh water tank for longer than two weeks is unsafe. The tank will likely start to smell bad at this point, and there’s a good chance you’ll be able to taste the difference in the water.
Conclusion
Using the best RV fresh water tank sanitizers is the most convenient way to clear your freshwater tank and water heating system of bad smells and harmful microbes.
Draining tanks and cleaning them might not be the most glamorous part of RVing, but it’s essential nonetheless. With all the products and information we’ve covered in this post, you’re set to hit the road without having any freshwater tank troubles.
Leave a comment about your go-to tank cleaning method below!
