Commando® Holding Tank Cleaner
Overnight Deep Cleaning for Holding Tanks
COMMANDO is a professional-grade holding tank treatment designed for operators who need a powerful, hands-off solution for deep tank cleaning and maintenance. Engineered for portable restroom trailers and portable restrooms, Commando works overnight to clean tanks, remove buildup, and restore system performance without scrubbing or agitation.
This safe, natural cleaning formula disperses billions of active bacteria that target the waste buildup responsible for persistent odors. Within as little as 12 hours, the advanced enzyme treatment begins breaking down residue and sludge, helping operators maintain cleaner tanks with minimal labor.
How to Use
Empty holding tank.
Drop one (1) COMMANDO packet into the holding tank of every 100 gallons of tank capacity.
Fill holding tank completely with water.
Allow product to sit for 12–24 hours to penetrate and clean buildup.
Empty tank.
Agitation may speed up cleaning, but agitation is not required.
Download Technical Data Sheet
What Is COMMANDO Used For?
COMMANDO is a commercial black holding tank cleaner used to remove waste buildup, sludge, and odor sources from holding tank interiors. It is designed for sanitation professionals who need an effective deep-cleaning solution for tanks that cannot be easily scrubbed or manually cleaned.
It is especially valuable for luxury restroom trailers and premium sanitation systems where tank cleanliness directly impacts performance, odor control, and user experience.
How Does COMMANDO Work?
COMMANDO uses an advanced enzyme and bacteria-based formula that disperses throughout the holding tank once dissolved. The active ingredients work to break down waste buildup and sludge that accumulate on tank walls, sensors, and internal surfaces.
By digesting organic residue and neutralizing odor sources, the formula restores tank cleanliness and performance without manual agitation. Most tanks see significant cleaning within 12 hours, while heavily soiled systems benefit from a full 24-hour treatment.
Key Features & Benefits
- Holding Tank Treatment – Designed specifically for deep tank cleaning and maintenance.
- Overnight Cleaning Power – Begins working immediately and cleans in as little as 12 hours.
- Effective Waste Digestion – Breaks down buildup and sludge that cause odors.
- Billions of Active Bacteria – Targets odor-causing waste at the source.
- Easy-to-Use Packet – Dissolvable packet eliminates measuring or spills.
- Safe & Natural Formula – Designed for reliable cleaning without harsh chemistry.
- Formaldehyde-Free – Meets modern sanitation standards.
- Essential Preventive Maintenance – Keeps tank free from lingering odors.
Ideal For
- Luxury restroom trailer maintenance
- Deep cleaning holding tanks
- Creating a premium experience for customers
- Removing sludge and frustrating buildup
- Operators maintaining premium sanitation systems
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common reason your deodorizer isn’t performing as well is inadequate water, which leads to mounding. We recommend adding 5-8 gallons of water to ensure all waste and paper falls below the water line. Water is the vehicle that delivers the deodorizer to the waste.
Urine changes the pH of the contents of your holding tank, which causes the dye to fade from dark blue to green. Heavy usage and hot weather makes this problem worse. When your customers see the green color, they believe the deodorizer has worn off, even though that’s not necessarily true. Walex recently created a new dye called DuraBlue, which better withstands these shifts in pH. DuraBlue retains its deep blue color through day seven. Like other Walex dye, it won’t stain or cause problems at waste treatment plants. Durablue is available in all Walex packets and liquids.
It’s a matter of personal preference because there are pros and cons to each. Packets are easy to use because they’re mess-free and pre-portioned. Walex liquids are versatile because they’re available in more strengths and fragrances. Which product is more cost-effective also depends on usage. To learn more about which deodorizer best fits your needs, read our article about selecting a deodorizer.
Every time you empty the unit, a little bit of residual waste can remain on the tank walls. If you don’t scrub off this “sludge line,” over time, the waste will become caked to the tank walls and be very hard to remove. Walex makes a product called Commando that deep cleans these troublesome units. To use Commando, drop one packet in per 100 gallons of tank capacity and add enough water to fill the tank completely. The enzymes target and liquefy any solids so when you empty the tank 12 to 24 hours later, it’s good as new.
Walex offers a wide variety of fragrances, so it’s a matter of personal preference. We do recommend switching fragrances every few months because your brain can acclimate to smells. If you’re interested in trying different fragrances, call your account manager and ask for samples.
No, you can add the packet or liquid directly into the holding tank. We recommend adding deodorizer before water so everything is better mixed together.
Many drivers who use regular Porta-Pak add two packs if extra odor control is needed. However, we recommend switching to Porta-Pak MAX, which is a more powerful packet designed for extreme conditions. Porta-Pak MAX is a super-concentrated formula with 50% more color, 50% more odor control, and double the fragrance of original Porta-Pak.
Yes. Standards for accepted waste at treatment plants vary across the country, but we are not aware of any waste treatment plant that does not accept waste treated by Walex products. If you encounter any issues from waste treatment plants, please contact us.
Yes. To offer a premium restroom trailer rental, we recommend ingesting in P-Trapper Waterless Urinal Odor Control, Commando Holding Tank Cleaner, and Ovation Air Freshener, if you don’t already have these products. For a full list of products to keep your restroom trailer fresh and clean, read our blog.
Products Trusted by Industry Leaders
“From the very beginning, Walex has played a key role in helping us deliver on our mission to provide clean, dependable, and high-quality sanitation services across Southern California. Their innovative products and reliability have supported our teams in the field, allowing us to meet the high standards of service our customers count on. Whether it’s the consistency and effectiveness of their deodorizing products or their dependable staff, Walex has helped us do our job better—day in and day out.”
— Rudy Lopez, Chief Executive Officer, Southern California Industries
“Walex’s customer service is next level. Their products are always shipped in a timely manner, same day if not the next, and are on time. The staff has always made us feel we are family to them. Can’t say enough good things about Walex as a company!”
— Hunter Schenk, Tuff Jon
“The experience I’ve had as it relates to Walex has been nothing less than amazing. I am truly appreciative of everything you all do to ensure ROS stays ahead of the curve on providing top tier service.”
— Anthony Sims, United Rentals
“Walex is a very special company with an owner and team members who strive for the best products and services, showing they care, have integrity, and want to help raise the bar in our industry and help their customers. We feel like family.”
— Andy Gump Family & Team
“Working with Walex has been a real win for our business. They’re quick to respond to orders, always deliver on time, and help us keep things running smoothly—especially during our busiest seasons. Their communication is clear and consistent, so we’re never left guessing about where things stand. It’s great to have a supplier that understands the pace and demands of the porta john business. Walex has become a trusted partner.”
— Kellie Sicilian, Procurement Specialist, MPW Services
“We’ve used Walex for more than a decade and find it to be the most consistent and reliable vendor we’ve had. When you order from the outstanding sales group you know you’re getting industry best performance. Walex has been a true value to our business and customers.”
— Brian Knoper, Owner, Kerkstra Portable Restrooms
About Commando® Holding Tank Cleaner
40 packets per Bulk Tub
Drop-in One (1) Packet per 100 gallons. Fill Black Holding Tank to capacity with water. Let tank sit for 24 hours, then drain.
