419-AZ Support

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it matter which type of RV Digest-It I use (liquid, drop-in pod, or powder)?

No, you can use any version of RV Digest-It and expect the same results. We offer different versions of RV Digest-It simply out of convenience and preference for our customers.

Do I need to use a special RV toilet bowl cleaner with RV Digest-It MAX?

Yes, you need to use a cleaner that won’t harm RV Digest-It’s beneficial bacteria and enzymes. Caustic or antibacterial toilet bowl cleaners can kill or neutralize the bacteria that are working hard to keep your black tank free from odors and clogs. We recommend using Unique Scrub-It to clean your RV toilet bowl.

How do I use RV-Digest-It for the first time?

1. Before treating the tanks with RV Digest-It, we suggest rinsing out the tank to prevent cross contamination of any previous chemicals used!
2. When you first arrive at your camping destination go into the bathroom and with the water pump turned on, step on the flush pedal for 30 seconds.
3. This will allow 1-3 gallons of water into the holding tank. Shake the bottle, then add 4 ounces of Unique RV Digest-It (2 ounces if using RV Digest-It MAX, or 1 scoop/drop-in pod) as the initial treatment.
4. Once that has gone into the holding tank, slightly depress your flush pedal to add water to the toilet bowl until the bowl is half-full. You are then ready to use the toilet for your camping adventure!
5. When it is time to use the toilet, make sure that you hold the flush pedal down for a full 10 seconds each time you flush so that ample water is added to the black tank. This will keep everything working great and odor free!
6. Be sure to fill the toilet bowl half-full again after you've flushed your toilet (you should always keep water in your toilet bowl when your RV is at the campsite to prevent smelly sewer gasses from seeping out of the tank into the RV)

What do you recommend before we start using RV Digest-It? Our tanks have never been used before.

If you’re a new camper just getting started and have never used the black holding tank before, we recommend the following:

• When you first arrive at your camping destination go into the bathroom and with the water pump turned on, step on the flush pedal for 30 seconds. This will allow 1-3 gallons of water into the holding tank.
• Shake the bottle, then add 4 ounces of Unique RV Digest-It as it is the initial treatment. Once that has gone into the holding tank, hold the flush pedal down half way for an additional 15 seconds to fill the toilet bowl half way. You are then ready to use the toilet for your camping adventure!
• When it is time to use the toilet, make sure that you hold the flush pedal down for a full 10 seconds each time you flush so that ample water is added to the black tank. This will keep everything working great and odor free!
• Be sure to fill the toilet bowl half-full again after you've flushed your toilet (you should always keep water in your toilet bowl when your RV is at the campsite to prevent smelly sewer gasses from seeping out of the tank into the RV)

What product do I use to clean RV showers/sinks?

For your RV showers and sinks, steer away from using anything that is antibacterial or any harsh chemicals as these products will more than likely kill the helpful active bacteria in Unique products! Feel free to use any other non-antibacterial or chemical-free cleaning products for your cleaning needs.

Another option that we've seen our customers use in the past is a soft scrub made from our RV Digest-It powder version. You can take the powder and add some water to it to make a quick paste. Then apply the paste to your shower and sinks, rubbing and cleaning the surfaces of all of these areas. Rinse the paste off with water. Once it goes down the drain, it will boost waste breakdown and odor elimination of your holding tank as an added bonus!

Can RV Digest-It be used to treat cassette toilets, porta-potties, portable toilets, or composting toilets?

RV Digest-It is not designed for use in cassette toilets, porta-potties, composting toilets, or portable toilets. Some users have been able to use RV Digest-It in these situations, however the results are not guaranteed. Please contact our customer support team if you would like to learn more.

Can I use RV Digest-It (powder or liquid) in a composting toilet?

RV Digest-It will work in composting toilets, but it has its limits. The mixing type composting toilets will help with the dispersal of Digest-It’s beneficial bacteria, but not all composting toilets have this feature. If you're going to purchase RV Digest-It for your composting toilet, we recommend the liquid version.

How do I use RV Digest-It in a combination black/gray tank?

You may want to check out our guide on deep cleaning your RV holding tanks.

What is the shelf life for your products?

All of our products have a shelf life of 2 years from the date of manufacturing. To find the date your product was manufactured, look at the first 6 digits of the code stamped on the bottle. This is the date it was produced (MM/DD/YY).

If your product is older than 2 years, don’t assume it’s a lost cause. We keep retains of every batch we make, going back 15+ years, and the products still work to their full capacity. It’s highly likely that yours will too - even if it is older than 2 years.

At what temperatures do your products work best?

Optimal temperatures for our products are between 45-85 degrees Fahrenheit (7-30 degrees Celsius). RV Digest-It can be used successfully above 85 degrees, just be sure to follow The Unique Method to achieve optimal results.

Is RV Digest-It Septic System Safe?

Yes, RV Digest-It is septic safe! Always make sure to check with your local ordinances about whether you can dump in your home septic tank!

How do I measure out 2 ounces of the liquid RV Digest-It?

You can measure out 2 ounces in a liquid measuring cup (2 ounces = 1/4 cup), or use the product cap to measure: 2 ounces is equal to about 6 capfuls.

If I don’t have my original scoop for the RV Digest-It powder, how much powder do I use?

A scoop is included with each container of powdered RV Digest-It. Sometimes during shipping, the scoop will shimmy its way down to the bottom of the container. We suggest dumping the powder out into a gallon sized ziplock bag so you can retrieve the scoop and easily pour the powder back into the original container. Common Sense Care: Wash your hands after.

If for any reason your RV Digest-It powder doesn’t contain a scoop or the scoop is lost, one scoop/treatment of the RV Digest-It powder is one measured ounce (1 ounce = 2 tablespoons).

How long do RV Digest-It pods take to dissolve?

RV Digest-It pods should start dissolving within minutes of being in water. Occasionally the pods will appear as if they have not dissolved completely, but the bottom of the pods have opened up and it's just not totally apparent. You can attempt to poke the pod around and you will see that the bottom of the pod has dissolved and will release the RV Digest-It formula.

In high heat, high humidity climates we have heard of isolated instances when the casing around the pods hardens and causes problems with dissolving. If you experience this issue, please reach out to our customer support team for additional assistance!

Are Unique Camping + Marine products safe enough to dump on my land/field?

We always recommend that RV tank dumps go through proper wastewater treatment (either an onsite system such as a septic tank, or a dump station). Dumping of waste is tightly regulated and we recommend always following local regulations.

We dump the black tank every 2 weeks. Will RV Digest-It control odor for that long?

There really aren’t any treatments that we know of that can promise two weeks of odor control without re-treatment. There are so many variables that come with this... tank size, usage frequency, water usage, etc.

The analogy we always use is dental care. Sure, you can go two weeks without brushing your teeth. Chewing gum can cover the smell of bad breath, but you’re going to end up with MUCH bigger problems than smells! You’re going to get cavities or worse. So, sure, there are some products that claim to provide extra-long odor control with very little water use, but you’re certainly going to end up with clogs, misreading sensors, and waste buildup. It’s simply not possible to go two weeks without dumping and maintain a HEALTHY tank.

My product arrived frozen or slushy. Will it still be effective?

Yes, since our bacteria are hibernating in spore form they are very resilient and usually basic freezing is not going to be a problem. When freezing becomes a problem is when the bottle repeatedly freezes and thaws. Go ahead and give the product a try! We will certainly replace it if the product isn’t working.

Are your products environmentally safe/ocean safe?

Unfortunately, even though our product ingredients are readily biodegradable, for legal and regulatory reasons we cannot claim that our products are environmentally friendly or ocean safe! We recommend that our products be used in instances where wastewater will be properly treated, and if used on boats, where the tank will be properly pumped out following all local regulations.

Why do we have tank odors after using RV Digest-It?

More often than not, lack of enough water is what causes odors – especially in hotter temperatures.

Keep in mind that treating your holding tanks is definitely a 50/50 scenario: 50% the right process and 50% the right products. While you may have been using the right amount of product, your process (in terms of water usage) may need to be adjusted for the product to work at its best, especially when temperatures rise. We highly recommend increasing your water usage moving forward – for example, if you're using 1-3 gallons to prep your black tank, try increasing your water to 3-5 gallons (if you don't do that already). Additionally, be sure to flush enough water into the black tank with each flush to ensure all waste is kept under water, which will provide an odor barrier so waste cannot backup out of the tank. We also recommend always keeping your toilet bowl half-full of water for this same reason, when your RV isn't moving.

You can find these recommendations, and more information in our guide The Unique Method.

Can I mix RV Digest-It with other products?

No, other products will more than likely kill the active bacteria in RV Digest-It making it ineffective! When using RV Digest-It paired with The Unique Method, using other products is not necessary!

How long can I safely leave RV Digest-It in my tanks?

There are no ingredients in RV Digest-It that are likely to cause damage to your tanks. You can leave it in there as long as you’d like. We do recommend dumping your tanks every 3-5 days for optimal odor control and to prevent build up.

How often should I use RV Digest-It in my RV?

We recommend treating your tanks with RV Digest-It after every dump and rinse of your tanks. After you dump all wastewater and rinse the tank thoroughly, refill your tank with 1-3 gallons of water and RV Digest-It.

Can I use RV Digest-It in my freshwater tank?

We do not recommend using RV Digest-It in your freshwater tank.

What is in RV Digest-It that makes it work so quickly?

The enzymes in RV Digest-It are what makes the product work so quickly. The fast-acting enzymes immediately begin breaking down toilet paper and waste into small pieces. Then the bacteria in RV Digest-It feed off of these small pieces, breaking them down even more.

Is it okay to use an entire bottle of RV Digest-It in my tank?

You can use more than the recommended amount of RV Digest-It in your tank. There are no ingredients in RV Digest-It that are likely to cause damage to your tanks!

What’s the difference between RV Digest-It and the Clean-It Black Tank Cleaner or Clear-It Black Tank Unclogger?

RV Digest-It is a product designed to be used regularly (after every dump and rinse) that helps prevent clogs by breaking down waste and toilet paper. The Clean-It Black Tank Cleaner is designed to be a biannual deep cleaning tool, and Clear-It Black Tank Unclogger is formulated to clear clogged black tanks!

Will RV Digest-It break down conventional toilet paper?

Absolutely! With extensive testing we have found that RV Digest-It will break down even the thickest brand of conventional toilet paper

Can I winterize my RV with RV Digest-It?

We do not recommend using RV Digest-It to winterize your RV. RV Digest-It will freeze during the winter which will stop the effectiveness of the bacteria and potentially put the plumbing at risk of cracking! We recommend using a propylene glycol-based, RV-specific antifreeze for winterizing your RV.

What happened to the RV Digest-It powder container? I only see bags available.

In an effort to reduce the amount of plastic that we use in our products, we have changed the container from a plastic tub to a bag style container. Inside is still the fabulous RV Digest-It you have come to know and love!

Does RV Digest-It have fragrance?

There is a light fragrance in the liquid version of RV Digest-It. We also have a tangerine-scented version of RV Digest-It Drop-In-Pods.

If you are sensitive to fragrance or if you prefer a fragrance free treatment, the RV Digest-It Drop-In Pods and the RV Digest-It Powder products are both fragrance free.

Does RV Digest-It contain biocides?

RV Digest-It does not contain any biocides. Biocides are substances that kill living things (for example: pesticide, fungicide, herbicide, antimicrobial, antibacterial). Biocides would kill the bacteria and enzymes in our products that make them effective.