Outhouse Oddities RSS

Hydrated lime is not all it’s chalked up to be. It may seem like a simple fix for outhouse odour, but because it is highly alkaline, it can disrupt the biological activity that helps control odour and break down solids in the pit.

Should toilet paper go into an outhouse pit? Yes. Toilet paper is sanitary waste, adds carbon, and can support better breakdown in the pit.

Sawdust seems like a practical, natural addition to an outhouse, but it is not the best choice. The trouble is that it adds bulk to the pit and only temporarily covers smell at the surface without doing much to address the cause.

Wood ash is a common old-school remedy for outhouse odour, but slows decomposition and makes pits fill faster. Here's why biological treatment is the better short and long-term fix.