The Total Tank Reset: A Science-Backed Guide to Restoring Your RV Holding Tanks

Why a True RV Holding Tank Reset Beats Ordinary “Cleaning”

“Deep cleaning” often means adding a product and hoping for the best. A tank reset is different: you return tanks to a like-new baseline by (1) loosening residue and compacted waste with the right chemistry, (2) allowing adequate soak time with water to contact walls and probes, and (3) performing a thorough rinse to wash loosened debris completely out of the system.

The Science of Waste Buildup

Liquids exit; residue remains. Over time, solids, toilet paper, grease, soap residues, microbes, and minerals create layers on tank walls and sensors. These layers trap odors, cause slow drains, and foul sensor probes. Gray tanks commonly look dirtier during a reset because they accumulate grease + soap scum and are rinsed less frequently.

Layers of Buildup Inside Your Tank

People say “poop pyramids,” “compaction,” or “sludge,” but those are actually different layers of buildup with different chemistry:

• Organic solids: Waste + toilet paper compact when too little water is used.
• Grease & fats: Common in gray tanks; bind particles and create stubborn films.
• Soap scum & detergents: Sticky residue that coats walls and sensor probes.
• Biofilm (slimy microbial layer): Shields bacteria, traps odors, resists water alone.
• Mineral scale & struvite-like deposits: Hard-water minerals and salt complexes that “lock in” other residues and can mimic hard sludge.

A true reset addresses all of these—not just the loose solids near the outlet. That’s why surface-only rinses and many DIY cleanings fall short.

The Struvite example shown above is a very uncommon example from years of tank neglect, and comes from this video of a professional tank cleaning service on a black tank. Most struvite cases wash out smaller chunks of what looks like stone or rocky sediment.

Enzymes vs. Buildup-Stripping Cleaners (Why Jar Tests Mislead)

Enzymes can break down organic waste in ideal conditions (warm, wet, well-mixed) and only where they touch. Jar tests look impressive— but compacted, dry pyramids and sticky biofilm in real tanks are different. Buildup-stripping cleaners are layer-removing and grease-cutting: they disrupt greasy binders, soften layered residue, and help lift biofilm so it can be rinsed away.
Note: Extreme Cleaner uses an alkaline-based, buildup-stripping formula that’s safe for RV tank materials when used as directed.

The Essential Rinse Step

After soaking, debris is loosened—but still inside the tank. Rinsing removes it from walls, sensors, and the outlet. Skipping this step is the #1 reason people think “it didn’t work.” Rinse until clear; repeat if sensors still misread.

Built-In Rinsers vs. Rinse Wands vs. Backflushers (Rhino-style)

These are rinse tools. They help move loosened debris after a soak, improve outflow, and speed up “clear water” results. None of them are a chemical stripper and none replace professional hydro-jetting.

Safety: Never leave a backflusher running unattended, avoid prolonged “dead-heading” against a closed valve, and follow your RV manufacturer’s guidance.

RV Tank Cleaning Methods Compared

Not all “cleaning” is a reset. Use this to pick the most cost-effective way to strip sludge, restore sensors, and kill odors.

*“Cost per reset” reflects a one-time strip back to a clean baseline. Routine treatments are not resets.
†$1.57/dose is a representative per-treatment cost; multiple cycles may be required and may still not remove old residue.

Rhino Blaster vs. Extreme Cleaner: Two Tools, Two Jobs

Rhino-style backflushers are great at clearing outlet clogs and rinsing loose debris. They don’t penetrate hardened pyramids or restore sensors by themselves. Extreme Cleaner uses a buildup-stripping, layer-removing soak that loosens compacted waste, dissolves grease/biofilm, and helps restore sensors—with a proper rinse.

Want the full how-to? See our Extreme Cleaner guide.

If the video doesn’t load, watch it on YouTube starting at 15:21.

Real Results: Before & After Resets

Don't let what you 'think' the water should look like determine a tank resets effectiveness. Here are some real life images showing what you can expect to come out of your holding tank after emptying your tank, rinsing and then using the Exteme Cleaner to reset your tank to like new.

Compacted Black Tank Reset

Severely neglected tanks may release visible chunks after a reset — that’s expected. Don't expect a continuous flow of waste like when you normally empty your black tank.

Gray Tank Reset

Expect darker water from gray tanks — grease and soap scum are the culprits. You can expect to see clear water running through your gray tank after emptying and rinsing. You might even think it's pretty clean, but after using the Extreme Cleaner, you can often find some really dark water come out.

Black Tank Sensor Cleaning

Film on probes can persist after the first dump — extra rinses usually clear it. If it is film that is preventing your black tank sensors from working properly, similar to the gray tank you may notice clear water after dumping and rinsing, but then after treating with Extreme, you may notice some slightly discolored water come out.