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Top 10 questions about the cassette toilet

Tips on usage and maintenance

Cassette toilets differ from our familiar home toilets in several ways, which often leads to a lot of questions. We have compiled a comprehensive list of the most commonly asked questions about cassette toilets to provide you with the information you need.

1. How to use and empty a cassette toilet?

The cassette toilet is a lightweight, high-quality toilet with a removable waste-holding tank, making it the ideal solution for caravans, motorhomes and campervans.

The waste-holding tank can be removed from the vehicle and has to be emptied at a designated disposal station. How often you should empty the tank depends on the size of the tank, which products you use and the intensiveness of use. Watch the video below for instructions of how to empty the waste-holding tank:

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To ensure proper hygiene and minimise odours, it is important to consistently use a waste-holding tank product in your cassette toilet. Simply add the recommended amount of Thetford toilet care product to the waste-holding tank. In addition, adding two to three litres of water will help facilitate the treatment process.

You can also enhance the flushing efficiency by applying Thetford Aqua Rinse Concentrated to the flush water for a smoother flush. For cassette toilets connected to the central water tank of the vehicle, Aqua Rinse Spray is your best bet.

2. Where can I empty a cassette toilet?

There are numerous choices when it comes to emptying the waste-holding tank of cassette toilets. Designated waste disposal points can be found at most campsites, motorhome sites, and even at certain road stops. If only a septic tank is accessible, you can rely on septic-safe waste-holding tank products like Thetford Aqua Kem Green Concentrated and Thetford PowerPods Bio to safely dispose of the waste water.

Emptying waste holding tank cassette toilet

3. How do I know which cassette toilet I have?

There is a data badge located underneath the waste-holding tank and one on the bottom of the waste-holding tank which has the model and serial number of the toilet noted. The Cxxx-number tells us the model.

Thetford toilet sticker label

4. How to clean and maintain a cassette toilet?

Proper cleaning and maintenance are crucial for ensuring the longevity of your cassette toilet. It is recommended to use a waste-holding tank product to treat the waste inside the tank. This helps reduce odours and maintain a healthy environment.

The next step is to keep the inside of the bowl clean with Thetford Toilet Bowl Cleaner. Exterior surfaces can be cleaned with Thetford Bathroom Cleaner, as it is specially designed to safely and hygienically clean plastic surfaces, without damaging the plastic.

Thetford cassette toilet maintenance chemicals

For periodical cleaning and maintenance, use Thetford Duo Tank Cleaner Concentrated to extend the lifespan of the waste-holding tank. This product removes limescale, encrusting and grease deposits of black and grey water tanks. It also helps prevent unpleasant odours, which can be particularly important during the warmer summer months.

Finally, keep the rubber seals of the cassette toilet in top condition with Seal Lubricant Spray and use Thetford Aqua Soft dissolving toilet paper to prevent clogging.

5. Can I use normal toilet paper in a cassette toilet?

In order to avoid clogging or damages, it is important to use Thetford’s quickly-dissolving Aqua Soft toilet paper in a cassette toilet. This toilet paper is super soft and protects the waste-holding tank’s internal components from damage.

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Troubleshooting common issues with your cassette toilet

6. What if the toilet does not flush correctly?

When the toilet flush does not work properly, there are a few things that you can check.

1. Check the fuse. If you hold the fuse up into the light and see the small wire that runs through split in two, you will need to replace the fuse with a readily available spare part.
2. Examine the pump for scale or scrub. If any signs present, contact your local dealer and address the issue. They can either fix the issue, or replace the pump if necessary.
3. If the flush button has stopped working, this can easily be replaced to restore normal operation.

7. What to do if the cassette toilet is leaking?

When dealing with a leaking cassette toilet, it is crucial to begin by inspecting the lip seal of the tank. If the lip seal is worn out, it can result in a leakage, requiring you to replace the seal. To aid you in locating and replacing the lip seal, Corine has created a comprehensive instructional video guide. This video will provide you with step-by-step instructions and guidance for the detection and replacement process:

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To avoid future leakages, regular use of Thetford Seal Lubricant Spray is essential. This product helps maintain the smoothness of the lip seal and prevents it from drying out. Depending on user behaviour, we recommend replacing the lip seal every four to six years. By following this maintenance routine, you can effectively prevent leakages and ensure the optimal functioning of your cassette toilet.

8. How to prevent the toilet bowl from turning yellow?

Yellow toilet bowls can be challenging to clean. By cleaning the toilet bowl regularly with plastic-safe Toilet Bowl Cleaner, you can prevent yellowing of the bowl on the long term. Avoid using hard chemicals, as these chemicals react with the plastic and cause discolouration.

Thetford Toilet Bowl Cleaner

9. Is it possible to replace the seat and tank of the cassette toilet?

Absolutely! With the Thetford Fresh-up Set, you can replace the seat, cover and waste-holding tank of your cassette toilet without the need to replace the entire unit. This convenient set is compatible with most Thetford cassette toilets. The installation process is straightforward and requires no tools, making it easy to upgrade and refresh your cassette toilet.

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10. How do I repair or replace a part of my cassette toilet?

If any part of your cassette toilet is broken or requires replacement, our certified dealers and service centres are ready to assist you. To find the nearest dealer or service centre, you can use our online locator.

For all user and installation manuals, spare part lists and warranty information, please visit our Support & Service page.

Also find repair instruction videos on our Youtube channel.

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