Simple question, does the blue toilet fluid lose it's potency over time???
Without going into too much detail, my caravan was stood for 2 years prior to me buying it & I've been using the half bottle of genuine Thetford fluid which came with it. I also keep the green fluid, as I know of sites which don't allow the blue, but none of these green things seem to work as well as good old chemicals.
After a couple of uses, I'm not sure the blue is so good either (& I always use a bit too much), has it lost it's strength over time? It was just under half full when I got it, & I know the van had stood for 2 years, possibly more.
Yes, I always add a bit of water when I put it in.
I was thinking more along the lines of the active ingredient(s) evaporating or going off over time.
It was stored in the gas locker by the previous owner, so maybe it froze over the last couple of winters?
It looks OK, as blue fluid goes. Doesn't smell as strong as I remember. I prefer the Thetford stuff, always thought the Elsan was a bit weak, but my green is Elsan, as is my pink, I bought both of those (just went for the cheaper, but still wanted a "brand"). Maybe I should invest in a bottle of blue as well? (will have to wait now anyway, I'm spent out until Feb now )
The Blue should not have any shelf life problems, and the containers do not give any indication of any use by date. If its consistency appears to have altered, as in Steve’s case (waxy & congealed over winter), then don’t use it otherwise it should be acceptable.
As the van stood for two years prior to your purchase then so did the cassette. If that had not been cleaned thoroughly before being left to stand then any old odours or “remnants” stuck to its sides may give the impression that the blue chemicals are at fault. Give the cassette a thorough clean and leave some Fendox standing in it overnight, which may assist in removing its history.
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
Quote: Originally posted by jeff juke on 04/1/2012
I found it great in whiskey or make yourself a blue lagoon
Back to the main topic we use THIS one, great stuff.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
We use the Elsan Blue concentrated fluid, and have never had problems with it. And we have never come across any bans on this fluid, either in the UK or France.
I've not had a problem with old blue, finished an old bottle 18 months ago, bottle bought in 1984 (cant remember how much it was, the lable was still on it, somthing like 50p).
Proper Elsan stuff, worked as well as the new "concentrated" stuff, infact the instructions used the same mix as the new concentrate, makes me wonder if part of the cost cutting over the years has been to water the stuff down.
I've never had problems with fluid, but have now moved over to tablets or large blue 'teabags' - much better to handle - no more spilt liquid and still no problems with shelf life.
Those tablets are very expensive though, I looked into them. Love the idea, although with the fluid you have the option of adding a little extra, as I do.
Also, I know of one site from personal experience which does not allow blue fluids in their disposal, & I know you can flush the green stuff down the main sewerage system, but you're not supposed to flush the blue. I have also heard of other sites which don't allow it, but only seen the one myself. I think it's something to do with treatment of it all afterwards & septic tanks etc etc.
So my blue fluid should be fine then. It looks fine, smells about right.
I am of the opinion the 'older' stuff worked better than the newer. I am very far from impressed with some recent Thetford stuff; is it something the counterfeiters have got into? [well not literally]
Quote: Originally posted by magsruby on 05/1/2012
Also, I know of one site from personal experience which does not allow blue fluids in their disposal, & I know you can flush the green stuff down the main sewerage system, but you're not supposed to flush the blue. I have also heard of other sites which don't allow it, but only seen the one myself. I think it's something to do with treatment of it all afterwards & septic tanks etc etc.
I thought it was the other way around, the blue is ok for main sewerage, but not for septic tanks, the ingrediants kill the bacteria in the septic tank that break down the waste (same reason as not using bleach in a septic tank) the green doesnt have these chemicals, so is septic tank friendly.
Quote: Originally posted by magsruby on 05/1/2012
Those tablets are very expensive though, I looked into them. Love the idea, although with the fluid you have the option of adding a little extra, as I do.
Also, I know of one site from personal experience which does not allow blue fluids in their disposal, & I know you can flush the green stuff down the main sewerage system, but you're not supposed to flush the blue. I have also heard of other sites which don't allow it, but only seen the one myself. I think it's something to do with treatment of it all afterwards & septic tanks etc etc.
So my blue fluid should be fine then. It looks fine, smells about right.
Maybe I need some more bran in my diet???
Yes, the tablets/ teabags are a little more expensive, but I always tend to put too much liquid in anyway, so it probably works out about the same. There are usually deals to be had - I got my last lot at the NEC Show in October - it was a fairly large container so it should last me for ages.
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Topic: Old blue fluid
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