Why does our porta potty smell like ammonia after a hot day?
We have a standard portable toilet for our seasonal ranch hands and guests. It's been sitting on dry, level ground for about three weeks, and the…
1answer
44views
Deb K. replied
Questions tagged “Deodorizer”
97 questions across all categories.
97 questions
Why does our unit smell like sulfur after a heavy rain?
We've got a standard unit on a residential addition site. It's been there about three weeks with weekly service, and the crew of eight uses it. The…
1answer
51views
Tyler R. replied
Can I add my own deodorizer or a bag of ice to the tank to keep it fresh?
We're hosting a backyard party this weekend, about 50 people over six hours, with a keg and some snacks. I rented a single standard portable toilet…
2answers
44views
Hector V. replied
Why does our porta potty smell like rotten eggs after a rain?
We have a single standard portable toilet for our seasonal ranch hands, serviced weekly. It sits on gravel about 50 yards from the main cabin, and…
1answer
39views
Ray M. replied
Can a hunting camp porta potty sit unused for two months without service?
I run a hunting camp in Montana that's only used about three weeks a year in the fall. The rest of the time, the camp is empty. I have a standard…
1answer
31views
Sam O. replied
Treatment plant tightened its septage rules. How are other operators handling disposal?
Our main wastewater treatment plant just tightened its septage rules. They're now testing every load and charging extra if the waste doesn't meet…
2answers
41views
Kim S. replied
Is the blue dye in porta potties required by health code?
The blue dye in portable toilets is not required by any health code. It is a cosmetic and functional choice by rental companies, not a legal mandate.…
1answer
43views
Deb K. replied
What's the biggest challenge in wastewater disposal for operators in 2026?
I've been hauling waste for 16 years, and 2026 is shaping up to be the toughest yet for disposal. My vacuum truck makes the same trips, but the costs…
2answers
38views
Kim S. replied
Can a porta potty sit unused for a month at a hunting camp?
We have a hunting camp in Montana with no septic. I rent a standard unit for the season. It's just four of us, only on weekends from September…
1answer
37views
Marcus B. replied
Why does our unit smell like sulfur after a rainstorm?
We have a standard portable toilet on a residential addition in Chicago. It's been there for about six weeks, used by a crew of 10 guys. The unit…
2answers
44views
Tyler R. replied
Hunting camp porta potty: can it sit unused for weeks between trips?
Our hunting camp is about 40 miles from the nearest town on a rough ranch road. We have a spot for a portable toilet that the service truck can reach…
1answer
35views
Toni S. replied
How are operators adapting to 2026's new biodegradable deodorizer rules?
I just got a heads-up from my supplier that a couple of states are planning to mandate fully biodegradable, formaldehyde-free deodorizers in portable…
2answers
49views
Deb K. replied
Is the blue liquid in porta potties safe for the environment?
The blue liquid in a standard portable toilet is a deodorizer that is safe for the environment when the waste is disposed of properly at a wastewater…
2answers
65views
Ray M. replied
Formaldehyde vs formaldehyde-free porta potty deodorizer: what is the real difference?
Our venue coordinator asked my team to specify formaldehyde-free deodorizer for the standard portable toilets we're renting for a weekend festival.…
2answers
54views
Deb K. replied
Liquid vs packet deodorizer on a summer route: what are you dosing?
I drive a vacuum truck on a summer route with 40 to 60 stops a day. Most are standard units on construction sites, some are deluxe units with sinks,…
2answers
39views
Kim S. replied
How do porta potties actually work? Where does everything go and why does it not smell worse ✓ Solved
Jules covered the system well, but the vent stack is key to why it doesn't smell worse. That small vent on the roof creates a passive airflow,…
3answers
85views
Ray M. replied
Why does the blue liquid disappear so fast in hot weather?
Our standard portable toilet is serviced every Tuesday by a reliable rental company. The unit is on a residential construction site with a crew of…
1answer
42views
Hector V. replied
Why does our porta potty smell worse after the service visit?
We have a standard portable toilet on our jobsite for 15 guys. The rental company comes every Tuesday. This week, right after the service visit, the…
2answers
46views
Kim S. replied
Porta potty water splashed on me: is the blue liquid dangerous and can you get an infection from it? ✓ Solved
A splash of blue liquid is not dangerous if you wash it off promptly, which you did. The real risk depends on how full the holding tank was and how…
2answers
63views
Deb K. replied
How to clean a porta potty between services without wrecking the deodorizer ✓ Solved
Use water and a damp cloth to clean a portable toilet between services, not a bucket of soapy water. Hector is right about avoiding bleach and…
2answers
62views
Deb K. replied
Why does my porta potty smell so bad by midweek and how do I fix it?
We have a standard portable toilet on our construction site for a crew of about 15 guys. It gets serviced every Monday morning, but by Wednesday…
3answers
53views
Hector V. replied
What is the blue liquid in a porta potty and is it toxic? ✓ Solved
The blue liquid in a portable toilet is a deodorizer, and the formulas used in public spaces today are not toxic. It is a mixture of a blue dye,…
2answers
54views
Ray M. replied