Can RV Antifreeze Go Down the Drain?

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Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Paul Clayton

Can RV Antifreeze Go Down the Drain?

This discussion is a significant concern to many RV owners. This is because improper disposal of RV antifreeze can have profound environmental implications. It’s essential to understand its appropriate disposal methods.

• RV antifreeze is generally safe for drain disposal.
• Propylene glycol-based, non-toxic, and biodegradable.
• Check specific product instructions for disposal guidelines.
• Consider drain destination, especially for septic systems.
• Adhere to local regulations on antifreeze disposal down drains.

You may enjoy blossoms or digging out piles of snow, but no matter your current situation, RV season is not far. If the spring has sprung, it’s time to de-winterize your RV!

Moreover, changing your trailer’s antifreeze is crucial in a cold climate as it prepares your camper for cold weather. Winterizing protects your trailer’s plumbing system from freezing. 

If you do not add antifreeze, the water in the water lines and tanks can freeze. Hence, the expansion of water may burst fittings and lines.

RV Antifreeze used on your RV water lines can be safely dumped down the drain; it’s non-toxic and is used in many cosmetics. Automotive antifreeze (Ethylene Glycol) is toxic and should be disposed of safely.

What Should You Know About RV Antifreeze?

Antifreeze or engine coolant combines with water and maintains the engine’s temperature. It significantly lowers the water’s freezing temperature and raises its boiling point.

When the temperature fluctuates, the coolant in the engine stabilizes the temperature. Moreover, this deicing fluid also wards off corrosion.

Checking antifreeze levels is mandatory every six months. It is essential because, over time, antifreeze becomes acidic and can cause corrosion. Hence, it damages the components of your trailer’s cooling system.

Anti-icing solution contains chemicals such as methanol, ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol. Ingesting deicer in minute quantities can be hazardous as it is poisonous for animals and humans. 

The smell of antifreeze usually attracts pets; therefore, it is vital to dispose of the used or tainted antifreeze properly. 

So, Can You Pour RV Antifreeze Down a Drain Hole?

It would be best to never dispose of your old antifreeze in any sewer or nature, i.e., rocks, grass, or lakes. 

Your engine coolant is toxic and can negatively influence the bacteria used in water purification. 

Furthermore, it can also make the situation worse by contaminating your local lakes. Also, it causes extreme contamination and spoilage in underground sewage systems. 

Glycol-containing antifreeze can create toxicity in animals and humans when taken in a certain amount. The two kinds are as follows:

• Ethylene Glycol Deicer

It is a potentially hazardous material that can cause reproductive damage, congenital disabilities, or death. 

Therefore, it should be handled carefully, as its sugary flavor and odor appeal to small children and pets. Moreover, ethylene glycol attracts mammals, but it is deadly. 

• Propylene Glycol Deicer

This chemical is most commonly used in the boating industry and in an RV. This solution is not highly poisonous.

It is slightly less lethal than E. glycol. However, it is fatal if someone ingests this solution in significant quantities. 

Minute accidental dosages are not lethal, but keeping this solution out of the way of pets and children is recommended.

Furthermore, the FDA permits small quantities of propylene glycol in cosmetics like lipsticks, food additives, food coloring, and drugs.

Is It Hazardous to Pour the Antifreeze onto the Ground?

It would be best never to use automotive antifreeze in your camper’s water system because it is toxic, and the solution will contaminate your system. 

Make sure to use non-toxic antifreeze. You will find various types in RV shops and auto stores. Ethanol and alcohol-based deicers are generally available at all hardware shops and stores like Walmart. 

These solutions are inexpensive; however, they can make your water taste bad and produce a foul smell. Furthermore, alcohol dries out the rubber seals of toilets and faucets, which can cause leaks. 

These deicing solutions are flammable, and you should never dump these types onto the ground.  

The other solutions are a blend of ethanol and propylene, and they are non-toxic. But they can also create a foul smell and taste in the water. This blend also has the potential to dry out the rubber seals and cause leakage.

The good thing is they are non-toxic but flammable; therefore, you should avoid dumping them on any ground. 

The other antifreeze, propylene glycol, is solely available in recreational vehicle shops. It is slightly toxic and non-flammable, and it is pretty safe to use for RV plumbing. 

This deicer prolongs the lifespan of the toilet and faucet’s rubber seals and prevents leaks. Besides being safe, you should not pour the solution onto the ground. 

What to Do if You Accidentally Spill Your Antifreeze Outside?

By following the steps, you can quickly clean the antifreeze spills outside:

• First, wearing a mask and protective gloves is crucial to prevent yourself from inhaling the solution’s smell.
• Use an absorbent substance like sand, kitty litter, or baking soda to cover the splash. 
• Now, cover the material you used above with a paper towel. Allow it to rest, but not keep it there beyond three hours. 
• With the dry paper towel, wipe and pick up the paper towel and material and put it in the sealable bag. Throw this bag in the trash, and wash your hands thoroughly.
• Scrub that particular area with water and soap. 
• Air-dry the wet area, or place paper towels or newspaper for quick drying.

Recommendations for Safe Disposal of RV Antifreeze

Before removing your old antifreeze, always use safety equipment. Wear gloves, a mask, and goggles to remove or replace antifreeze.  

To de-winterize or remove the tainted antifreeze, use two to twenty gallons of storage tubs underneath the exhaust to collect the used trailer’s antifreeze solution. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has no regulations about antifreeze. However, several auto parts stores, recycling centers, and service shops treat, accept, and dispose of motor oil, antifreeze, and other oils. 

Once you spot a service shop or the dumping location, follow these recommendations for safe disposal. 

• Remember to store your old or tainted antifreeze separately. It needs a different disposal treatment because a tainted deicer might contain hazardous heavy metals. These solutions are considered hazardous waste; therefore, a particular facility will accept it. 
• Take the material to an appropriate disposal or call a waste hauler to collect this solution. 
• Several facilities have a coolant recycling machine that removes glycol from engine coolant. Moreover, the machine adds an additive to make these solutions reusable. This process will only work if the deicing solution is untainted with oil and other substances. 

Can you Mix RV Antifreeze with Toilet Chemicals?

The answer is no. Combining these two substances is not recommended because they serve different purposes.

RV antifreeze is specifically designed to safeguard the plumbing system of recreational vehicles from freezing in cold weather conditions.

In contrast, toilet chemicals are formulated to decompose waste and manage odors in the RV’s holding tanks.

Mixing them can compromise the effectiveness of both solutions and potentially damage your RV’s plumbing system.

Using each product as directed is essential for optimal performance and maintenance of your RV’s sanitation and plumbing systems.

Will RV Antifreeze Stain Toilets?

Temporarily, yes, the antifreeze may slightly color your toilet bowl. However, this is not a permanent stain and will dissipate once flushed thoroughly.

It’s important to note that leaving some RV antifreeze in the toilet bowl over winter months is beneficial, as it prevents the toilet seal from drying out.

Hence, while temporary staining may occur, the long-term benefits of using RV antifreeze in your toilet outweigh any minor aesthetic concerns.

Does RV Antifreeze Evaporate?

Yes, RV antifreeze does evaporate, albeit at a slower pace than water. Numerous winterized RVs endured two to three winters without issues, demonstrating the substance’s endurance.

Notably, suppose two cups of antifreeze are placed in the toilet bowl to safeguard the seals. Depending on weather conditions, they may evaporate entirely in about three to four months.

Final Words

Most RV antifreeze formulations are propylene glycol-based, which lends them their non-toxic and biodegradable properties. This means they can be safely disposed of down the drain without harming the environment significantly.

However, verifying this by checking the specific product’s instructions is essential, as some variations may have different disposal guidelines. Further consideration should be given to the final destination of the drain.

For instance, if you’re connected to a septic system, you’ll want to ensure that the antifreeze won’t disrupt its operation.

Lastly, remember that local regulations on antifreeze disposal down drains may vary, so it’s essential to adhere to these rules to avoid potential penalties or harm to local water systems.

Always follow best practices and prioritize safety and environmental responsibility when disposing of potentially harmful substances.

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