grey water tank smell

hi all
I accidentally left some dirty water in the tank due to having other problems to worry about, now got a bad smell coming into van, any recommendations for any products that may get rid of said smell, many thanks
mike
vwt4

After emptying it try pouring a cheap bottle of disinfectant down the plug hole and drive a few miles on a bumpy road. It worked on ours.

Yes, and in future swill a small amount of toilet fluid down the sink every so often.

Be careful though, as the blue stuff can stain plastic.

Tinwheeler wrote:After emptying it try pouring a cheap bottle of disinfectant down the plug hole and drive a few miles on a bumpy road. It worked on ours.

I'd quarter-fill the waste tank with clean water too, in order to aid the sloshing.  Agreed, works wonders 

I used to be sceptical of the coca cola solution touted by some. A few years ago in France when the weather was hot, I decided to try it. The cheapest win brand cola and about 4 litres sorted our smelly tank out.
 
I have used this ever since. Obviously if you can empty your tank and then add the cola before travel, it will be more effective.

My current van has a 6 inch inspection hatch accessible from the cabin under a hatch, so I am able to scrub the sides and bottom whilst using a ‘shower’ setting on the hose which I utilise. This is my routine after every trip, but I still use cola effectively.

Davy

Never close the grey tap unless the vehicle is in use, always open at home, or after properly draining on a site or Aire.

IanH wrote:Never close the grey tap unless the vehicle is in use, always open at home, or after properly draining on a site or Aire.

Ditto.

Cymro

You could use something like Thetfords Tank Fresh (if you have plentry of cash) or a remedy off this forum a few years ago Supermarkets own brand of Orange Cordial - works a treat

Thanks everyone for the suggestions
Mike

I use old fashioned ‘washing soda crystals’ dissolved in warm water. Mix up about half a small bucket, use it for washing/cleaning the fridge then pour the rest down the basin in washroom. Keeps the tank smelling nice and also seems to clean the tank level sensors to give a reasonably accurate indication (!)
Peter M

Or a dose of Milton (baby bottle steriliser) down all plug-holes.

As we never drink from the fresh water tank (always from a separate container) we occasionally add a dose of Milton to flush the system through the fresh tank and consequently through the waste tank.

When you’ve got it clean, put a diluted capful of Zoflora down the sinks and shower after emptying the tank when you leave a site.

Nora

Just a word of caution re Milton - apparently it can affect stainless steel, as in the heater so possibly better to use something like Puriclean

cobs wrote:Just a word of caution re Milton - apparently it can affect stainless steel, as in the heater so possibly better to use something like Puriclean

Is there any stainless steel in a grey water tank, or am I missing something?? 

Gromit wrote:

cobs wrote:Just a word of caution re Milton - apparently it can affect stainless steel, as in the heater so possibly better to use something like Puriclean

Is there any stainless steel in a grey water tank, or am I missing something?? 

Was responding to the comment from Daves that he occasionally uses Milton to flush through the fresh water system and consequently the  waste tank

I was missing something . . . the post from Daves!!       

I pour half a bottle of bleach down the various plug holes into a half full waste tank, leave overnight.
Next day, drive over the local speed bumps & immediately empty tank down a suitable drain. 
You'll be surprised the amount of crud that comes out!
I haven't found that bleach has a detrimental effect on stainless steel.