This is a common technique, practiced by many cruisers. When I lived aboard, I always
kept a gallon of vinegar in the head so I wouldn't forget.

Peggy has endorsed this in the past (this from last March):

Vinegar ONLY dissolves mineral buildup, it won't do much for dirt and
grime and won't dissolve soap scum, grease or hair.

You're right that I recommend it though...a cupful down the toilet once
a week. Just don't leave it sitting in the bowl. Vinegar will damage
rubber. A cupful flushed through the toilet doesn't stick around long
enough to hurt anything, but it'll destroy a joker valve left to soak in it.

Btw...this is WHITE vinegar we're talking about, not cider. Because
white vinegar is more acidic than cider, it does a better job of
dissolving sea water minerals.





"canalman" wrote in message
om...
It has been suggested by someone who *knows*, that vinegar is a good
medium for clearing out persistant residue in a narrowboat toilet holding tank.

Apparently you leave it in to soak for about 24 hours before
thoroughly flushing.

Has anyone any practical experience with this?

It has been suggested that it wouldn't be a good idea in plastic tanks
as vinegar might harden the seams. Do we have any feed-back before we
try it?

Tony
holding back on the Basingstoke Canal

Jeff Morris wrote:
This is a common technique, practiced by many cruisers. When I lived aboard, I always
kept a gallon of vinegar in the head so I wouldn't forget.

Peggy has endorsed this in the past (this from last March):

Vinegar ONLY dissolves mineral buildup, it won't do much for dirt and
grime and won't dissolve soap scum, grease or hair.

I did say that...but I've never said that vinegar will dissolve sludge
in holding tanks--which is what he's asking.

Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://www.seaworthy.com/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html

Jeff Morris wrote:
This is a common technique, practiced by many cruisers. When I lived aboard, I always
kept a gallon of vinegar in the head so I wouldn't forget.

Peggy has endorsed this in the past (this from last March):

Vinegar ONLY dissolves mineral buildup, it won't do much for dirt and
grime and won't dissolve soap scum, grease or hair.

I did say that...but I've never said that vinegar will dissolve sludge
in holding tanks--which is what he's asking.

Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://www.seaworthy.com/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html