wife allergic to bleach

[khamsher]

My DW is allergic to bleach, chlorox or anything else that has ammonia/ bleach in it. She reacts almost immediately. What are the alternatives for cleaning fresh water tank, hot water heater, etc.? Help! Thanks!!

[Shadowcatche]

I is it the fumes? I have asthma and both ammonia and chlorine will cause a problem, You by the way NEVER want to have both together, it is deadly. I use Dichlor crystals, a granular form of chlorine for sanitizing available at a pool supply place, no fumes and less expensive than chlorine, run it through the system and then flush the tank. I also have a full face respirator/gas mask that will take everything out for times I have to be exposed.

[RickO]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Using the search feature for "sanitize fresh water tank" yields 165 threads offering suggestions. I'm sure you'll find some good alternatives there. http://www.irv2.com/forums/search.php?searchid=4383148

Best of luck.

Rick

[dons2346]

You can use food grade hydrogen peroxide.

[jzick]

If you send her away during the sanitizing process, when she returns the bleach odor/taste should be gone, if you are rinsing correctly. Unless she cannot be around chlorinated water, when you are done, that is all you will have left.

[Francesca]

I'm a former Health Inspector, and I've never heard of using ammonia for sanitizing freshwater systems!

Per bleach, though:

Unless you're overdoing it in dosage or underdoing it in rinsing, there should be no bleach residue left over once sanitizing is complete.

[CJGJR]

Just mix a half cup of white vinegar in you fresh water tank after bleaching it and all chlorine residue and smell is gone.

[AdvntureCats]

Chlorine will rinse out completely if you don't skimp on flushing the system. Flush it all twice if you're concerned. It is a bit time-consuming if you have to drain a 100 gallon freshwater tank...

[khamsher]

Originally Posted by Francesca

I'm a former Health Inspector, and I've never heard of using ammonia for sanitizing freshwater systems!

Per bleach, though:

Unless you're overdoing it in dosage or underdoing it in rinsing, there should be no bleach residue left over once sanitizing is complete.

I meant to say that she is also allergic and reacts to ammonia-- not clean with it. Sorry I wasn't clear.

[DAN L]

Originally Posted by khamsher

My DW is allergic to bleach, chlorox or anything else that has ammonia/ bleach in it. She reacts almost immediately. What are the alternatives for cleaning fresh water tank, hot water heater, etc.? Help! Thanks!!

i have used vinegar to clean my water tank, 6 gallons for 80 gallons capacity. soak 4 hrs. rinse several times.

you can deodorize water tanks with baking soda.

Arm & Hammer Multi-Brand - Deodorizing Camper Water Tanks

[AFChap]

Like Shadowcatche, I use Sodium Dichlor chlorinating crystals intended for use in spa/hot tub. I prefer them to bleach because they are dry & store easier, concentrated so in a compact size container, and no added salts so no after-taste/requires minimal flushing of the system after use.