Biggest Mistake RVer's Make With Toilet Maintenance! DO NOT DO THIS

One of the most important things in RV life—right up there with cold drinks and a reliable GPS—is a functioning, odor-free bathroom. That might sound like some mythical quest, but trust us… it’s very real and very achievable.

The number one culprit behind a smelly RV toilet? The waste ball seal. Yep. That humble little gasket is the gatekeeper between “fresh air” and “why does it smell like that?”

If your toilet isn’t holding water, it’s not holding air either—and that means odors are sneaking into your home like they own the place.

Most RVers try the oldest trick in the book first: lubricate the seal. Smart move… if it’s done correctly. But if you reach for a petroleum-based product like WD-40, congratulations—you’ve just upgraded your minor inconvenience to a full-blown aromatic disaster. Petroleum breaks down the seal, and the only thing that gets stronger is the smell. And the leak. And your regret.

Next time this happens, grab a silicone-based lubricant instead. If your seal still has some life left in it, this will usually fix the problem. If not? Just replace it. It’s inexpensive, takes only a few minutes, and is infinitely less traumatic than pretending you can’t smell what everyone else definitely can.

Odor-free RV living: it’s not a myth. It’s just good maintenance.

Thetford Waste Ball Seals

Dometic Waste Ball Seals