Whether you’re taking your Cuddy, Cuddy Lite, or S1 on the road or using it as an off-grid toilet, keeping it clean ensures smooth operation and odor control.
Cleaning any of our three models is easy, and basically the same. However, we do have some model specific tips for the different solids bins.
While this seems a no brainer, routine cleaning does wonders for maintaining your Cuddy’s performance and odor control. It’s about more than just keeping things fresh—it also helps ensure that your toilet keeps working smoothly.
Note: Water alone is not the best for initial cleaning. You can use water after your cleaning to give the plates and the pee chute a rise, but water by itself does not disinfect.
We recommend spraying down the diverter and plates daily with a bit of your handy vinegar water solution. If you start to see any build-up, use a little TP or a soft cloth to wipe it away.
The pee chute diverts extra liquid that lands on the pates into the urine bottle.
Cuddy, Cuddy Lite, and the S1 have the same urine bottle, as well as the LED liquids indicator light that turns on when it’s time to empty it.
Emptying:
Cuddy's urine bottle is 1.7 gallons and depending on use will need to be emptied every 2-3 days. Cuddy has a smart LED that comes on when it is time to empty.
Pee is mostly sterile and the urine bottle does not need to be cleaned each time you empty it. About every other time you empty it, you can add some vinegar or citric acid to the container and slosh it around a bit and leave it in there.
A sprinkle of baking soda or a 1/4 cup of vinegar in the bottle can help neutralize odors between cleanings. We also heard that a denture cleaner tablet with water does wonders for any build up.
The valve inside of the urine bottle is there to let urine in but stop bad smells from getting out. The valve is made of silicon and will need to be replaced every 6-9 months. Meantime, if you notice any buildups on the valve, simply spray it down with your vinegar solution.
Cuddy and Cuddy Lite have different solids bins, and the S1 uses the same bin as Cuddy Lite. The primary difference between the two styles is that Cuddy’s solids bin has an agitator.
Cuddy (With Agitator): The agitator mixes compost material with waste, which helps to kickstart the decomposition process and reduces odors. Material may stick to the prongs on the agitator, but this is normal.
We actually don't recommend "cleaning" the solids bin as there are microbes in the bin that are having a good time and they want to continue the composting process. We recommend emptying and starting over.
However, every now and then it's good to give it a good wash. Use water and a mild soap (no bleach) to wash it out, rinse, and finish by adding your favourite compost medium.
Cuddy Lite (Without Agitator): In the Cuddy Lite, a layering method is used along with a compostable bag lining the bin to manage waste without mixing.
Because there is already a bag inside of Cuddy Lite's solids bin, cleaning is pretty straightforward. Remove the bag, dispose of the bag following local regulations, and put a new bag inside. Done!
S1 Dry Flush Sealing Toilet: The S1 is even more straightforward to clean, since individual poos are sealed in bags. Simply remove the sealed bags as needed and dispose of them responsibly.
Using a soft cloth or sponge, wipe down the exterior of your toilet with your vinegar water mix or with soapy water.
Here are some things to keep in mind to make the cleaning process smooth:
Cleaning your Cuddy, Cuddy Lite, or S1 doesn’t need to be a chore. By following these easy steps, you can keep your toilet fresh and efficient, wherever you’re using it.
Questions about cleaning your toilet? Contact us and we’ll be happy to provide additional guidance.
Erica Pugh is Co-founder and Head of Marketing at CompoCloset.
She realised the necessity (for her) of having a toilet for travel and vanlife during multiple trips in the USA and Europe
When Richard asked if she wanted to help bring CompoCloset to life she was all in.
From the beginning Erica's goal for CompoCloset was to educate people on the benefits of composting toilets and to build a community of like minded portable toilet users. She now knows way too much about other people's bowel movements.
From Orcas Island, Washington she now lives in Vienna, Austria.
