Solbio Toilet Fluid in Caravans: Worth It?

If you’ve ever opened the loo cassette expecting a quick, tidy job and been greeted by a smell that could peel wallpaper, you’ll understand why toilet fluid choices get weirdly emotional. Some people swear by “the blue stuff”, others insist it’s overkill, and a few brave souls claim you don’t need anything at all (they also tend to park downwind).

Solbio 100% Natural Toilet Fluid For Caravans sits in the middle of that noise. It’s aimed at caravanners who want decent odour control and easier emptying, without feeling like they’re pouring a chemistry set into a plastic box.

What Solbio is actually doing (and what it isn’t)

Most traditional “blue” fluids lean on stronger chemical biocides to suppress bacterial activity and mask smells. That can work, but it can also come with trade-offs: harsher scent, more caution around disposal points, and sometimes a lingering feeling that you’re fighting biology with brute force.

Solbio takes a different approach. It’s a natural, enzyme-based fluid designed to encourage breakdown rather than just disinfect everything into silence. In real terms, that usually means three things you’ll notice first: the smell is less “toilet chemical” and more neutral, the contents tend to stay more liquid (less dreaded slump-and-splosh), and emptying can be quicker with less rinsing drama.

What it isn’t: a magic wand. If you’re using the wrong amount, leaving the cassette baking in the sun for five days, or treating the loo like a domestic sewer, you can still create a pong that no label can out-argue.

Why caravanners switch from blue to natural fluids

The most common reason is simple: they’re fed up with the scent. Blue fluids often replace one strong smell with another. If you spend a lot of time in the caravan - especially with the washroom near the living area - that “chemical loo” aroma can get old fast.

Another reason is disposal peace of mind. UK sites vary in their messaging, but many owners prefer a product that feels more compatible with septic systems and dedicated elsan points, rather than worrying whether they’re the person who upsets the balance at a rural CL. (To be clear: always follow the site rules - “natural” doesn’t mean “do what you like”.)

Then there’s the practical side: some people find natural fluids reduce crusting and make the cassette easier to rinse. Not always, and not for everyone, but it’s a genuine quality-of-life upgrade when it works.

How to use Solbio in a caravan cassette toilet

This is the bit where people accidentally sabotage themselves. Natural fluids tend to be less forgiving if you treat the dose as a vague suggestion.

Start with the manufacturer’s recommended measure for your cassette size, then add water. You’re not trying to fill the cassette, but you do want enough liquid to give everything a fighting chance to break down and move around. If you regularly tow long distances, that sloshing actually helps mix things - one of the few times a bumpy A-road feels like it’s contributing to your wellbeing.

Temperature matters too. In cold weather, breakdown slows. That doesn’t mean the product has failed, just that you might need to be a bit more patient and keep on top of emptying rather than stretching it to the absolute limit.

One more unglamorous truth: decent toilet paper helps. Ultra-thick quilted rolls can take longer to break down and make emptying less pleasant. You don’t have to buy special “caravan loo paper” at tourist prices, but avoiding the plushest stuff in the supermarket can make life easier.

What to expect on your first trip (real-world results)

On the first couple of uses, many people notice the biggest change is the absence of that sharp chemical smell. Odour control tends to be more subtle rather than perfumey. If you’re expecting it to smell like a pine forest, you’ll be disappointed. If you just want it not to smell like regret, you’ll probably be happier.

Emptying often feels less “sticky”. Contents can pour out more cleanly, and you may find a rinse or two does the job rather than a full cassette power-wash routine.

The flip side: if your cassette already has build-up, a natural fluid won’t instantly undo months of neglect. You may need a separate deep clean first, then use Solbio as the ongoing routine.

When blue fluid might still be the better call

There are a few scenarios where traditional fluids can be the pragmatic choice.

If you’re regularly forced into very long gaps between emptying - say, off-grid without easy access to an elsan point - stronger chemical suppression can sometimes hold the line better. Likewise, if you’re caravanning in very hot conditions and the cassette is getting warm, you may find you need to empty more frequently with any product, but some people prefer the extra “belt and braces” feeling of blue.

Also, if you share the caravan with someone who is already anxious about smells and is only just tolerating the idea of a cassette toilet, switching products right before a big holiday can be risky. Sometimes confidence is worth more than ideology. You can always experiment on a shorter trip.

A sensible, low-faff way to decide

If you’re curious, test it like you would any other bit of caravan kit: one variable at a time. Use Solbio for a weekend with a normal routine, dose it properly, and empty at your usual point. Pay attention to three things: smell inside the washroom, how the cassette empties, and how much rinsing you need.

If you want more calm, practical caravanning guidance like that - minus the forum chest-beating - you’ll feel at home at CaravanVlogger.

The final thought is simple: toilet fluid isn’t a moral choice, it’s a comfort-and-convenience choice. If Solbio makes the job quicker, the caravan fresher, and the whole topic less of a production, that’s a win - and you don’t need anyone’s permission to take it.

Want To Try Solbio?

If you want to try Solbio, I have a link for you to use.

Use code GRAHAMBELL to save 5% on your order

https://www.solbio.co.uk/?ref=caravanvlogger

Let me know how you get on…