Started typing this under "Water Tank maintenance" but its too far off topic.

The hose that drains the wash-up water from the van doesnt take long to develop a nasty smell. Being the type that is ribbed theres plenty of scope to trap scum. 

 I can understand why, as when using the camper-trailer, the wash-up water drained directly into a bucket, and could get dirty with food particles, grease and detergent. We  always emptied it promptly down the sullage.
I think I'd rather go back to that system instead of draining it using a long smelly ribbed hose.
 
Is there a way of cleaning these hoses?

-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Sunday 5th of December 2010 11:58:30 AM

Buy a sullage hose that is not ribbed on the inside as we did, then attach a tap fitting and screw the hose onto the tap when you are finshed and flush with clean fresh water, voila, no smell and no bits of food left trapped in the hose.

PS:- A little clarification,  the hose we purchased was ribbed on the outside only so it still coils up easily for storage.

-- Edited by JRH on Saturday 4th of December 2010 07:20:19 PM

What would be wrong with using Bi-carb and Vinegar like you use it to clear blocked Sink drains ?

Cheers,
Sheba.

JRH wrote:

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Buy a sullage hose that is not ribbed on the inside as we did, then attach a tap fitting and screw the hose onto the tap when you are finshed and flush with clean fresh water, voila, no smell and no bits of food left trapped in the hose.

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So does this mean that when the next camper fills kettle up from that  tap,   it possibly would have had,   a   sewage (grey water) hose attached  !!!!!!

Hmmmmm
Mike and Ellie

 

A practice we have used for many years is to wipe all plates, pots/pans, utensils etc clean with paper towels straight after use. This not only removes all food scraps but most of the oils/grease and puts them in the rubbish bin, or the fire if available, thus virtually eliminating the problem of "dirty" grey water.

It also has the advantage of being able to use minimal water to do the washing up, which we do only once a day with a biodegradable detergent, as the plates etc are "relatively clean".

For us water is our limiting resource when bush camping unless we are by a creek/river. However when in a Caravan Park we still follow the same procedure but use their camp kitchen and hot water to wash up.

Yes Ron n Shirl, thats our routine when bush-camping.  
Thought I'd try out this new system with the caravan  in parks, but not happy about it.  
I've seen people do awful things with their sullage, letting it go anywhere, but the worst being to drain it directly into the River!

elliemike wrote:

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JRH wrote:

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Buy a sullage hose that is not ribbed on the inside as we did, then attach a tap fitting and screw the hose onto the tap when you are finshed and flush with clean fresh water, voila, no smell and no bits of food left trapped in the hose.

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So does this mean that when the next camper fills kettle up from that  tap,   it possibly would have had,   a   sewage (grey water) hose attached  !!!!!!

Hmmmmm
Mike and Ellie

 

 

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Any one with a modicum of decency and intelligence would clean the tap after rinsing out their sullage hose and the screw fitting on ours is on the end that attaches to the van's outlet and doesn't have any sullage or Grey Water in the threads, but I always wash the tap off after use, it is only common decency and good hygiene.

I also wash the tap before I attach my drinking water hose, doesn't everyone?

 

-- Edited by JRH on Sunday 5th of December 2010 11:04:28 AM

-- Edited by JRH on Sunday 5th of December 2010 11:37:25 AM

Just a hint...

I always when putting the grey water hose out place it so that it does a ring type lap over itself before exhausting the contents into the sullage pit or under a tree.
The reasons are... It stops ant ingress via the hose internally and traps some water/sullage in the hose which allows a flush when packing up.
The hose is then placed into a bag holding the odours if any at bay.