Bio-Pak: Tough on Odors, Easy on the Planet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKOLiFMa0Us

As the world becomes more environmentally-conscious, RV dealers must add eco-friendly options to their product lineup. An unfortunate stigma suggests that products must sacrifice effectiveness to be eco-friendly, but that is not the case with Walex's Bio-Pak. Our company's research & development staff has extensively tested Bio-Pak's natural enzyme-based formula to ensure it provides the same benefits as chemical- and biocide-based products. Here are a few reasons Bio-Pak is one of the best-selling holding tank deodorizers.

Enzymes provide natural digestion.

An enzyme is a substance produced by a living organism that acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction. Enzyme holding tank treatments accelerate the breakdown of organic material in waste while neutralizing foul odors. They also digest paper and waste to allow for a more efficient and fluid dumping process. One of the most significant benefits of using Bio-Pak is that it eliminates the need for RV toilet paper.

Eco-friendly ingredients comply with emerging legislation...

California is leading the charge to outlaw certain ingredients in holding tank products, but other states might soon follow suit. To comply with these legislation changes, one must switch to a product like Bio-Pak that is biodegradable and free from formaldehyde and biocides.

...and are septic system safe.

RV owners occasionally need to empty their holding tanks into a septic system. But chemical-based products will kill the bacteria that keep a septic system healthy and functioning. If you dump into a septic system, you must use an enzyme-based formula like Bio-Pak.

Powerful formula cleans tank walls and sensors.

Bio-Pak's advanced enzyme-based formula rapidly digests built-up waste on tank walls and sensors. This residual, caked-on waste is a common source of foul odors that sometimes persist even after dumping the tank. Regular use of Bio-Pak keeps sensors functioning correctly and the holding tank clean and healthy.

Portion control system allows easy, mess-free usage.

Many RV owners love the ease of throwing one quickly-dissolving, water-soluble packet in the tank instead of measuring out a liquid. Each odor-control packet is designed to treat up to a 40-gallon tank.

Customer Reviews

"Excellent product, works great, environmentally sound"

“★★★★★”

“GREAT environmentally-friendly replacement for harsh, toxic chemicals in my RV black & grey water tanks! I have been very pleased with how this product worked for me—dissolved solid wastes really well, and I had no odors from my tanks at all. In fact, I really think it worked better than the old chemicals I used to put in my tanks. I would have to add a whole bottle (or two) of the blue chemical to my black water tank on every camping trip, but with these enzymes, the most I had to use was two cubes. I like the ease and convenience of dropping in the cubes, the speed with which they “melt” into the toilet water, ease of flushing them down into the tank, and I very much like that there are NO PLASTIC BOTTLES to recycle (or that get tossed into the trash by a lot of people, and end up in our landfills).”

-E. Quinn

"They are like magic!!!"

“★★★★★”

“Excellent product. I am new to Rv’ing and I was informed to purchase some sort of black water tank chemicals. I looked over numerous reviews and ended up here. I have only used them a few times but so far so good. Believe me when I say these work. I destroyed my toilet at least 5 or 6 times this past weekend and we couldn’t smell a thing. Not too mention it was like 100 degrees out. If these things can tame the combination of my bio-hazard waste and 100 degree temps you’ve got a winner in my book. Too bad I can’t give them 10 stars.”

-Nick

"No Smelly Potty"

“★★★★★”

“This is great stuff. Comes in little pods like dishwasher pods. We used one per potty fill up and any smell is nearly non-existent except when opening the potty shaft and it’s not of the debris. Will be using this for the long haul on every vacation where we take our potty.”

-C. Speck

"Gets the "job" done!"

“★★★★★”

“We use these in a 5 gallon bucket in the “outhouse” on the back of our farm. We use one packet and about 6″ of water. Smells pleasant – not a toilet smell. Dissolves quickly with a little stirring with a stick and last several days (with very little use). A good value and good quality. Shipped quickly and arrived ahead of expected.”

-Randy

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I empty into a septic system if I use Bio-Pak?

Yes. Bio-Pak is an enzyme-based product, so it is septic safe.

Can I use Bio-Pak in my boat's toilet?

Yes, you can use Bio-Pak in your boat’s toilet, because the formula is eco-friendly.

Is Bio-Pak scented?

Yes, Bio-Pak is currently available in two fragrances: Alpine Fresh and Tropical Breeze.

How frequently do I need to use Bio-Pak?

Drop a Bio-Pak down your toilet every time you refill your tank with water after dumping or once you start to smell odors emanating from your toilet. How often you do that depends on usage, but typically campers dump about once a week. After you dump, drop one Bio-Pak packet into five gallons of water for a 40-gallon tank. If you have a smaller tank, we recommend 1.25 gallons of water for every 10 gallons of holding tank area. Adding ample water is crucial because it allows waste and paper to fall below the waterline enabling the enzymes to work their magic. 

Does Bio-Pak break down toilet paper as well as waste?

Yes! Bio-Pak’s powerful enzymes digest paper as well as waste. 

Do I need to use special RV toilet paper if I use Bio-Pak?

No. No need for any particular type of RV toilet paper. Bio-Pak will break down and digest top-selling brands just as well.

Can I use this product in my grey holding tank?

No. Bio-Pak was designed explicitly for black holding tanks. For Grey water tank sanitation and odor control, we make a product called Elemonate, designed explicitly formulated to destroy grey tank build-up like organic sludge, grease, and food particles.

How long does it take for the packet to dissolve?

The packet starts dissolving immediately upon contact with water.

Can I use Bio-Pak in a septic tank?

Bio-Pak is septic safe, meaning that if you use Bio-Pak to deodorize your black holding tank, you can safely empty the tank into a septic system. For monthly septic tank treatment, we manufacture Bio-Active Septic Tank treatment, designed to keep septic systems healthy.

What makes Bio-Pak eco-friendly?

Bio-Pak is eco-friendly because it is free from formaldehyde and biocides and septic safe. It uses natural enzymes to digest bacteria, waste, and paper.

Can I use Bio-Pak in any climate?

Bio-Pak should be completely effective in all but the hottest climates. If you’re camping in conditions that exceed 90 degrees for hours at a time, we recommend switching to Porta-Pak.

by Thara SP

Hello 2021! Let Walex get you stocked up!

2020 was an amazing year for the RV and Marine industries, and 2021 is looking bright too.  The demand for RV and Marine sanitation products is higher than ever, and Walex is hard at work to keep dealer shelves full of the best sanitation products for their customers. From our facility in coastal North Carolina, we innovate, manufacture, and ship products worldwide.

Our dedicated staff is working hard to supply RV and Marine Dealers with our full line of RV and Marine holding tank and sanitation products during this unprecedented market growth. We have a full range of convenient drop-in packets, eco-friendly enzyme-based products, and liquid deodorizers designed to clean and sanitize both black and grey holding tanks.

We make all products on-demand, so don’t wait to reach out to your distributor of choice to place your Walex order today.  Thank you for your support!

by Thara SP

Four Reasons to Use Your RV this Christmas

Christmas celebrations will look different for many of us this year, but your RV might be the key to unlocking a different but equally enjoyable holiday season. Here are four reasons to use your RV this Christmas.

You can safely visit extended family. 

Maybe Uncle Eddie had the right idea after all when he parked his RV in Clark Griswold’s driveway for the holidays. What was normal during past Christmases—extended family near and far congregating to spend the holidays under one roof—is not considered safe during the ongoing pandemic. 

While you might not be able to stay in the guest bedroom down the hall from your aging parents or pregnant daughter, you can temporarily—ahem, Uncle Eddie—park your RV in a family member’s driveway and visit with them outdoors. Weather permitting, an early Christmas dinner on the back deck would be a great way to safely enjoy each other’s company and celebrate the season.

You can take your pets.

While pet ownership brings many joys, it does complicate travel. If you’re traveling in your RV, though, you don’t have to worry if your toy poodle will get along with your aunt’s American bulldog or if you should just fork up the money for a pet sitter. When you travel by RV, though, you can bring your pup along for the ride every time. Just stock up on some Walex Odor Absorbers to eradicate any “dog” smells you might start to notice over time. Our gel-infused odor absorber uses a layer of charcoal to absorb odors without any artificial fragrances.

You can spend the holidays in warmer weather.

Owning an RV gives you the freedom to go where you want when you want. If a white Christmas doesn’t sound appealing this year, pack up the RV and head south for the holidays. Camping World has some great destination suggestions.

You can still enjoy your favorite Christmas traditions.

If you’re planning to spend your Christmas Eve in an RV campsite, you might be worried that you’ll miss all the traditions you typically enjoy at home. But you can adapt those traditions to RV life. 

Here are some excellent ways to display a Christmas tree inside your RV. You can also string lights around your RV's perimeter—icicle lights look beautiful on the awning—but just make sure the decorations don’t consume too much wattage. Choose LED lights, which use less power than regular lights. Or, rather than using lights that you have to string up every time you change location, you can set up a Christmas light projector to colorfully illuminate your RV's exterior.

You can even replicate Christmas dinner! If feasting on turkey and stuffing is a Christmas Day tradition, you can cook a few juicy turkey breasts on your charcoal grill and prepare the stuffing in your crockpot. When it’s time to clean up after the meal, Walex has you covered with our powerful all-purpose cleaner and easy-to-use odor eliminating spray.

No matter how you decide to use your RV this Christmas, we wish you safe, happy travels. And don’t forget, wherever the road takes you, take Walex.

by Thara SP

Should I Get Porta-Pak or Bio-Pak?

Porta-Pak and Bio-Pak are both black holding tank deodorizers. However, the two formulas work differently to eliminate odors.

Porta-Pak gets rid of foul smells by completely stopping the growth of odor-causing bacteria. In contrast, Bio-Pak eliminates foul odors by digesting the odor-causing bacteria, waste, and paper in the tank. Bio-Pak's formula uses natural enzymes and is therefore 100% safe for septic systems and all campgrounds. Porta-Pak, on the other hand, provides better odor control in hotter climates.

Basically, which product is best for you depends on where you're dumping and your climate's temperature. If you're unsure which product to use, call us at 800-338-3155, and we'll be happy to help you.

by Thara SP

Can I Use Commando in my Grey Holding Tank Too?

Commando is a black holding tank cleaner, but many customers wonder whether they can also use the product in their grey holding tank.

While Commando wasn’t designed explicitly for grey water holding tanks, customers used satisfactory results to clean their sensors. The same time frame of 12-24 hours or longer, if needed, is suggested. Simply drop a Commando into a plastic cup and dissolve with room temp tap water. Stir carefully and pour down the drain. A full tank will give you the best results. For Grey water tank sanitation and odor control, we make a product called Elemonate, designed explicitly formulated to destroy grey tank build-ups like organic sludge, grease, and food particles.

If you have any other questions about Commando or Elemonate, call us at 800-338-3155, and our RV and Marine sales manager will be happy to help you.

by Thara SP

Can I use regular toilet paper in my RV toilet?

If you’re new to RV life, you’re also new to the world of RV products. As you stock up on necessities for your adventures, you’ll notice a specific RV and Boat toilet paper. This toilet paper is designed to rapidly dissolve because while TP flushed down a regular toilet moves through your pipes into the sewer system, TP flushed down your RV toilet gets stored in a holding tank. The fewer solids that end up in the tank, the easier it is to empty it thoroughly at a campground dump station.

The downside of RV toilet paper is that it is more expensive than regular toilet paper. And it’s not entirely necessary to spend this extra money if you use particular holding tank deodorizing products.

Two of Walex’s drop-in deodorizers, Bio-Pak and Commando, contain an enzyme designed to digest and break down toilet paper. Bio-Pak is a weekly drop-in that comes in two fragrances: Alpine Fresh and Tropical Breeze. Commando is a more robust black tank cleaner meant to be used every few months to destroy the residual waste and paper accumulated on tank walls over time. This build-up can interfere with sensor function, which means you won’t know how full your tank is. Commando also fixes this issue, lubricating valves and restoring sensor function.

For more information on Bio-Pak or Commando, call us at 800-338-3155. Happy adventuring!

by Thara SP

Why is Bio-Pak "Cali-Safe?"

In late 2019, California passed legislation banning the sale and use of holding tank products containing certain chemicals. Walex’s eco-friendly holding tank deodorizer, Bio-Pak, is free from all biocides, which complies with California’s new regulations.

The law lists 14 chemicals that will be prohibited when the law takes effect in 2022. The list includes bronopol and formaldehyde, which are frequently added to holding tank deodorizers to kill odor-causing bacteria. When these holding tank chemicals are dumped into septic systems, they destroy bacteria essential for a healthy septic system. Therefore, Bio-Pak is a good choice not only for Californians, but for anyone who might dump into a septic system.

Rather than killing bacteria with biocides, Bio-Pak digests bacteria using enzymes, which are substances produced by a living organism that act as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction. Enzyme holding tank treatments accelerate the breakdown of organic materials in waste while also neutralizing foul odors. The enzymes help to digest paper and waste to allow for a more efficient and fluid dumping process.

Bio-Pak is available in Tropical Breeze and Alpine Fresh.

by Thara SP

Are holding tank sanitation products safe for septic tanks?

Certain sanitation products are more septic safe than others, so if you dump your RV holding tank into a septic system, you should know whether the sanitation products you use in the tank will harm the septic system.

Septic systems need healthy bacteria to function correctly because these bacteria help break down waste. Some sanitation products contain ingredients that control odor by stopping bacteria growth, which would harm a septic system over time.

Walex’s Bio-Pak controls odor using natural enzymes. Enzymes are substances produced by a living organism that acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction—these enzymes in Bio-Pak digest odor-causing waste and paper.

Because these enzymes are compatible with the existing bacterial microflora in the septic tank, they actually aid digestion and keep the system. Bio-Pak is also formulated with enzymes to directly manage tank and septic malodors emanating from sulfides and amines, including ammonia.

So, if you frequently dump into a septic system, you should use Bio-Pak. If you’re still unsure which of our sanitation products are best for you, call us at 800-338-3155.

by Thara SP

Five tips to creating a home office in your RV

If you’re working remotely now, why not create a home office in your RV and see the world at the same time? If you already own an RV, it’s just a matter of converting part of the living space to an office, so here are five tips to creating the most comfortable, functional office-on-wheels.

Create multi-purpose spaces
When you’re working with limited square footage, you need as many creative, versatile areas as possible. Some RVs are designed with home offices, so if you haven’t purchased your RV yet, you can look for one of these. But chances are, you’re looking at incorporating a home office into an existing space. One of the most common renovations is to convert the dinette to a dual-purpose area for eating and working. For inspiration, check out this series by Technomadia, which shows how 13 different RVers created custom home offices to fit their various professions and lifestyles.

Prioritize ergonomics
One of the main reasons we recommend multi-purpose spaces is that you can create a workspace with proper ergonomics. You could simply set up your laptop on your dinette table or bed, but your neck and lower back will suffer over time. Make sure you have a chair that supports correct posture, and that your table allows your computer monitor and keyboard to sit at the right height.

Plan for movement
You’ll be parked while you’re working, but make sure your home office setup will survive a bumpy road. Bungee cords are great for securing your computer and other delicate items. Any hard drives you use for digital storage should be solid-state rather than a disc drive. Solid-state drives don’t have any moving parts, so they’re much more resilient to jostling.   

Stay connected
You need internet on the road, and you shouldn’t plan to tether multiple devices to your smartphone’s personal hotspot for eight hours a day. Personal hotspots drain your phone’s battery. Even if you have an unlimited data plan, your connection will be throttled as the hotspot is used for long periods or by multiple devices. Instead, many carriers offer a separate mobile hotspot tool to connect several devices and have internet anywhere cell service is available.

Keep your workspace pleasant and fresh
RVs are relatively tiny living spaces, so your new home office will be located just feet from your kitchen sink and toilet, and the holding tanks that connect to those drains—and you’ll be sitting there for eight hours a day. But don’t worry, because Walex created an entire product line specifically designed to eliminate odors in tiny spaces. We make powerful, easy-to-use toilet and kitchen sink deodorizers, charcoal-infused odor neutralizers, and long-lasting air fresheners. Just visit your local RV dealer and stock up before you hit the road for your next adventure!  

by Thara SP

Capture attention with the Walex Display

Capture the attention of your customers! Show off the leading brand of RV and Marine deodorizers and cleaners with a beautiful and functional freestanding display.  It is designed specifically to showcase the broad range of Walex products giving the consumer an aesthetically pleasing presentation with products that sell and work.

Walex manufactures products on demand so if you need more products for your customers don't hesitate to place those orders.  Dimensions are 73″ x 27″ x 12″.  Reach out to your distributor of choice to ask about getting one of these displays.

by Thara SP

How often should I empty my RV’s black holding tank?

Living with a black holding tank is one of the less thrilling aspects of a long RV adventure. But caring for your black holding tank will help you avoid common issues like persistent odors, clogs, and false sensor readings. One of the most important things to know about your holding tank is when to empty it (although knowing where to empty it is also handy).

More frequent emptying is not necessarily better, and will actually probably worsen your holding tank issues. If you dump the tank often or keep it hooked up to the campground’s sewer system, the liquid waste will drain out, but the solids will remain. That’s how you end up with residual waste caked to your tank's sides, interfering with sensor readings.

Instead, wait until your holding tank is about 2/3 of the way full so that when you dump it, there’s adequate flow. With two people living in the RV, that shouldn’t be less than one week, but keep an eye on your sensors.

If you have a grey holding tank that also needs to be emptied, dump the black before the grey. The greywater, which comes from your sink and shower, will flush out any remaining solids in your hose.

After a while, you might notice your sensors not reading as well as they used to, or a residual odor emitting from your black tank. When this happens, you can always use a packet of deodorizer to deep clean everything. Commando contains powerful enzymes that break down solids and digest odor-causing bacteria. Just drop in a packet, add water, and wait about 12 hours. Your tank will be good as new.

by Thara SP

Keep life on the road fresh with Porta-Pak

Porta-Pak – Two great fragrances – Fresh Scent and Lavender Breeze

Holding Tank Deodorizer & Portion Control System

The #1 portion control product around the world. The pre-packaged water-soluble packet controls odors, breaks down waste and paper, and lubricates valves and seals. Don’t set out on your next adventure without Porta-Pak.  Just drop it in!

  • Unbeatable odor prevention
  • Convenient zipper bag for easy storage
  • Formaldehyde-free
  • Biodegradable

Hear from our customers:

★★★★★  "Some seemed fine until summer came along and oh boy"
“Since losing our home in the May 19, 2013 tornado in Oklahoma, we decided to buy an RV to live in before instead of rushing right into major decisions. It’s a big adjustment and not knowing a lot about various products; I’ve tried many. Some worked short term. Some seemed fine until summer came along and oh boy, that really tests these products! This is the only one I found that we have absolutely no odor problems with and as long as I put two in when we first empty the tank, then one every 4-5 days, we can go (with two of us), almost three weeks before having to empty the tank and have no odor. These things are great and I’d recommend them to anyone who can’t stay hooked up to sewage to keep your bathroom odor free. I’m totally sold! Great product!”
-Debbie

★★★★★  "Simple and Easy!"
“After each black tank dump, I just put a gallon or two of clean water back into the tank and drop one of these packets in and voila!, no odors until the next time the tank needs dumping. I’ve never experienced any odors in our RV while using this product.”

★★★★★  "Breathe easy, they work!"
“Wow. This stuff works great. I have a small camper and I have a 5-gallon bucket with a toilet seat (also purchased on Amazon) that I use for a potty. I put kitty litter (in a trash bag, of course) and one of these deodorizer packets in the bucket and that sits inside a small privacy tent which is my camping “outhouse”. These deodorizer packets kept things fresh smelling the entire time. If these worked under those conditions then they’ll work anywhere. I definitely recommend this product.”
-Ryan

by Thara SP