Kleen Tank on the Road No. 15

07/09/2026

Bought a Used RV? Your tanks have a history… You just don’t know what it is…

One of the smartest things you can do after purchasing a used RV is have the holding tanks professionally cleaned.

You can see the condition of the furniture, appliances, roof and tires—but what about the black and gray tanks?

You have no idea if the previous owner:
-Left the black tank valve open.
-Used too little water.
-Flushed items that shouldn’t have gone into the tank.
-Skipped regular tank maintenance.

We were called to a 2016 RV that had been purchased used. The new owner had unknowingly inherited years of buildup and was also told it was okay to leave the black tank valve open.

The result?
A completely clogged black tank.

After clearing the blockage, it took 53 minutes of controlled flushing and hydration just to soften the hardened waste enough for it to begin flowing.

The good news:
Clog cleared
Sensors working properly
Toilet flushing normally
Owner educated on proper tank care going forward

Kleen Tank Tip: Your black tank is a holding tank, not a septic system. It needs plenty of water to keep waste suspended until it’s dumped. Leaving the valve open lets liquids drain away while solids stay behind—creating the perfect recipe for a clog.

If you’ve recently purchased a used RV, don’t wait until your first backup to find out what’s lurking in your tanks. A professional cleaning gives you a fresh start and peace of mind for your travels.

📸 Photo: After hydration and breakup, the waste finally began flowing out.

05/26/2026

Hello, My name is Brett Schmidt and I am your local authorized Kleen Tank Dealer located in Ottertail, MN. Please contact me at 218-298-0732 or [email protected] for all your RV holding tank needs. I offer a special discount to the local RV parks, call or email for details.

The Homestead at Ottertail RV Park & Resort
Lakeside RV Park
Golden Eagle RV Village

Annual tank cleanings are critical to keeping your RV's tanks working properly. Kleen Tank's process eliminates odors, clears out clogs and obstructions, increases tank capacity and performance, and can even get tank sensors reading properly again. Give us a call to schedule service today.

05/22/2026

Annual tank cleanings are critical to keeping your RV's tanks working properly. Kleen Tank's process eliminates odors, clears out clogs and obstructions, increases tank capacity and performance, and can even get tank sensors reading properly again. Give us a call to schedule service today.

05/21/2026

Which holding tank valve do you open first when you're emptying your tanks? The black one, right? And then the gray one to rinse out the sewer hose.

Nope. You open the gray tank valve first — for about 5 to 10 seconds. That lubricates the sewer hose and allows you to see if there are any leaks. Close the gray, open the black, and finish up with the gray tank(s).

Oh, and don't leave those tank valves open: If you do, liquid will drain off and you'll soon experience mounds, clogs, rotting waste creating smells, and other tank problems. Leave the valves open until you sensors read full (need some help getting them back reading correctly — hey, we know a company that can help with that!).

05/20/2026

Did you know that Kleen Tank is the largest RV service company in North America? That's right. With 57 dealers (and more on the way!), we dominate the RV market for professional tank cleaning. IT's why everyone tries to be like us!

If you would like your RV's holding tanks cleaned by the largest — and oldest — professional RV service company, give Kleen Tank a call at 844-KLEENME (844-553-3663). We'll connect you with one of our authorized dealers.

05/19/2026

Which type of toilet paper is the best in your RV? One-ply or two-ply? RV or camper type? We discuss the in’s and out’s of toilet paper and which is the best choice.

Which type of toilet paper is the best in your RV? One-ply or two-ply? RV or camper type? Find out which toilet paper is the best choice for your RV.

05/18/2026

Did you know you can get a FREE tank solution magnet mailed to you? Yep! Just fill out a short form and we'll pop it right into the mail for you. Now you'll never not have the "recipe" for Kleen Tank tank solution.

https://kleentank.com/freefridgemagnet/

05/18/2026

🚐 Can I Use Dawn or Other Detergents in My Holding Tanks?

It’s a question RV owners ask all the time.

Your RV holding tanks are basically large plastic containers. While a little soap is hard to avoid in the gray tank, regularly adding detergents like Dawn to a black tank is generally not the best idea.

Why? Over time, detergents can reduce the natural slickness of plastic tank surfaces. When the walls become less slippery, waste is more likely to cling and build up instead of sliding out properly when dumped.

That problem can get even worse when detergents are combined with additives that break waste down into a thick, sticky sludge.

💡 Better tank habits usually come down to:
✔ Plenty of water
✔ Keeping tanks clean and flowing properly
✔ Emptying tanks before they get overfull
✔ Avoiding products that create buildup or sensor issues

Sometimes the simplest approach works best.

👇 Have you ever tried Dawn or other soap in your tanks? What was your experience?

05/08/2026

Should you leave your RV's tank pulls open? Surely, not the black tank's but how about the gray's?

No. Tank valves that are left open allow liquid to drain off and solids to stay behind, creating clogs, allowing waste to decompose and smell, and limit the tank's ability to fully empty.

Leave your RV's tank valves closed until your sensors read at least 75% to 100%. Then empty those tanks. A full tank creates a vortex of water when it empties, resulting in a cleaner tank.

Sensors are reading correctly? Maybe you need the services of a professional tank cleaning company, like Kleen Tank!