General notes on usage
The primary concept of the composting toilet is the separation of liquid and solid wastes.
Sitting vs. standing
Seated use is recommended as the liquids and solids will be most
efficiently directed along the correct paths from this position. With
seated use, the trapdoor can be left in the open or closed position.
Male stand-up usage is acceptable but comes with the risk of
‘splatter’. In the event of stand-up usage, the trapdoor must remain
closed to prevent the mingling of liquid and solid wastes.
Solids
When depositing solids, a coffee filter may be placed into the bowl.
This facilitates the movement of the waste into the base of the unit
and keeps the bowl clean. Additionally, paper content from the coffee
filters is good for the compost mixture. Many people, however, choose
to use the unit with the trapdoor open, allowing solids to be deposited
directly into the compost.
After solid waste addition, the compost must be agitated 2-3 revolutions to mix the waste into the compost.
Contents of the solid waste container must be kept moist, not wet, and
remain separated from the liquid waste. The composted matter will have
a slight soil-like odour and its visual appearance will be very similar
to that of the original compost.
Toilet paper
How you use it is a matter of personal preference, but the more
paper is placed in the compost, the sooner the tank will fill up. Also,
paper products do not break down as fast as solid wastes so typically
you will see them long after the solid matter has broken down.
Odours
If used properly, Nature’s Head is virtually odour-free. If
unpleasant smells are emanating from the solid waste compartment, the
most likely culprit is excessive moisture content. Check compost
consistency and add extra compost as necessary.
Some people put a little brown sugar in the liquid tank to reduce
the odour of the urine. Regular emptying, however, is the surest method
to avoid odours and eliminates the need for any additives.
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Emptying the tanks
Liquids
The liquid waste vessel holds a maximum of about 8 litres of urine.
Because of the container’s opaque material, the liquid level can easily
be seen.
To empty the container:
- Release the latches securing the bowl to the base that are located at both front sides of the unit.
- Raise the bowl to an angle of about 45 degrees, put on the cap and remove the bottle.
- Dispose of the contents in an appropriate manner, e.g. in a public toilet.
Should overflow of the liquid waste container occur, the liquid will
remain confined to the container base as long as the overflow is not
excessive.
Solids
Solid wastes should be removed from the storage base when the tank
reaches approximately three-quarters full. As with any compost, the
longer you let it sit before emptying, the more the solids will have
decomposed and the more pleasant this job will be.
With the bottle assembly removed, lift the seat a little and slide
it to the left to disengage the slip hinge. You may need to unhook your
vent hose and power supply if you need to set the bowl off to the side.
Remove the knobs from the mounting brackets at each side of the base
and invert to empty. Most tall kitchen bags will fit over the base to
allow easy removal.
It is unnecessary to clean the interior of the solid waste container
as composting will continue from the residual matter clinging to the
sides. Simply add fresh compost, as prior to initial use.
The recommended procedure for disposing of the solid waste from the
tank is to allow it to fully decompose, for example in a composting
bin, before bagging it up and binning it. If stored for a period of at
least three months, the contents may safely be used as fertilizer.
Cleaning and maintenance
A quick spray of water from a squirt bottle is all that is needed to
keep your Nature’s Head fresh between uses. If necessary, a moistened
paper towel is excellent for cleaning the interior of the head. For
more intensive cleaning, a paper towel moistened with a 1:1 solution of
vinegar and water can be used.
Bleach, ammonia and other commercial cleaning products should never
be added to your composting toilet as they will interfere with the
composting process and may lead to unpleasant smells.
Maintenance requirements for the head are minimal. All metal parts –
bolts, hinges, latches, knobs, agitator and trapdoor components − are
either stainless steel or brass.
The filters on each side of the base should be removed and cleaned
annually or when emptying the solid waste. Each filter is secured to
the housing with two Phillips-head bolts. Remove bolts, clean filters
and refasten.
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