Sawdust Toilet Question

[Beaners]

I'll be the first to admit I haven't educated myself as well as I probably could on this topic, so please correct me if any of what I'm saying doesn't apply or is basically common sense about to slap me upside the head. Also, this is more curiosity than anything else, I don't have any intentions of implementing this in my current set up. But it's one of those nagging questions just grotesque enough to etch itself into my brain until I got an answer!!

I think I have the basic premise of the sawdust toilet...it's a bucket you use for #2 and then cover with sawdust. At least that's how it came across to me.

So my questions. #1? And another thread got me thinking about this other question too. (I know, I know....I am deeeee-sgusting. My apologies.) What about those #2s that aren't so nice and neat? It's sweet corn season here, ya know. Or what if somehow you end up eating McDonalds? (You may not even have time to make it home in that case )

So while I think I understand the concept of this, in my head it only fits those nice happy trips to the bathroom. Ones where you may not even have time to open up a magazine. Can someone please clear up my confusion??

Kayleigh

[insocal]

A sawdust bucket toilet is a TOILET. You use it for "both". Put a thick layer of sawdust in the bottom. Whenever you use it, add more sawdust. If it smells, add more.The sawdust absorbs the pee, and the nitrogen in the pee combined with the carbon in the sawdust makes for nice compost down the road. The poop is an added bonus.

[dscott7972]

I'm thinking on sawdust toilet because my basement is lower than my septic so may implement one in the basement. One thing I think I'll do is use latex semi-gloss paint to paint the inside of the bucket, let dry before using and then after dumping the contents into a compost pull off the dried latex and you have a perfectly clean bucket. However, what to do with the dried latex paint with mess on it; burn it? I wouldn't think so. Any suggestions?

[marvella]

Originally Posted by dscott7972

I'm thinking on sawdust toilet because my basement is lower than my septic so may implement one in the basement. One thing I think I'll do is use latex semi-gloss paint to paint the inside of the bucket, let dry before using and then after dumping the contents into a compost pull off the dried latex and you have a perfectly clean bucket. However, what to do with the dried latex paint with mess on it; burn it? I wouldn't think so. Any suggestions?

i used one for several years. paint?? naw...

all you have to do is dump it into the compost pile, then take the bucket to the nearest outdoor faucet and wash it out. i use dr. bronner's soap. leaves a nice eucalyptus scent behind.

beaners- even if it isn't a "nice and neat" poo, you still just cover it with sawdust. some people, mainly men, do their number 1 outside, which saves filling the bucket up too quickly with liquid.

[Rick]

I was instructed to put number 1 in the vicinity of cornstalk hills number 1 to 5, to keep deer away (we currently have no fence).

DO NOT PAINT. We clean ours using a spray bottle of much diluted Sun and Earth dish detergent. Cleans up to like new!

dscott7972: you can set up a test bucket with lid in the basement, without even building a cabinet. The rim might be a little uncomfortable/ unstable so just use it for those "Ones where you may not even have time to open up a magazine" that Beaners so delicately described or get a "luggable Loo".

No problem for the bucket to sit for extended periods- it actually molders to make a great, aged compost.

Beaners-

My walk to the Loo in the mornings at our camp is over 300 feet. Makes for some mighty interesting morning jaunts!!

Rick

[BeesNBunnies]

I used one for about 3 years. I did mine a bit differently. I had 2 buckets. A #1 bucket and a #2 bucket. In the #1 bucket I put a bit of water and a capful of lysol for the odor. Any guys were asked to pee outside when it was summer. I emptied the #1 bucket daily. The #2 bucket I used with sawdust. Just make sure you cover the 'deposit' thoroughly and there will be no odor. I found that if you just used one bucket that it kind of turned into a soupy mess no matter how much sawdust I used(may have been the type of sawdust...no clue). I got one of those bedside toilet chairs that they use for the elderly/infirm. Removed the little bucket that goes under the seat and voila I had a throne that could be moved back and forth over either bucket. The legs were even adjustable. You can pick them up second hand at a lot of flea markets.

[Cabin Fever]

I dunno what all the fuss is about. We just empty our sawdust toilet into the regular toliet and flush. All of the contents just disappear. Then, after we empty it, we don't use it again until one of us has to take a shower. I'll just take the bucket into the shower with me and rinse it out....simple.

[moonwolf]

Originally Posted by Cabin Fever

I dunno what all the fuss is about. We just empty our sawdust toilet into the regular toliet and flush. .

If you have a regular flush toilet, why would you use a sawdust toilet?

[marvella]

for a seat, an old bf cut a bucket in half, then screwed an old toilet seat to the rim. cut two slits up the sides, so it would fit neatly into a bucket. lasted for several years. even took it camping a few times. dug a pit, tucked in seat/ bucket combo, and there were all the comforts of home. kept a pile of loose dirt next to it, covered as we went, then filled it all back in before we left. silly me!! i'm too well potty trained... find it near impossible to just squat and go outside.

[Beaners]

Wow, thanks for all the responses!

Originally Posted by BeesNBunnies

I found that if you just used one bucket that it kind of turned into a soupy mess no matter how much sawdust I used

This is what I had heard about using it for both before, which is why I thought there was a designation for the bucket use.

I didn't realize so many people actually put this to use, it's been very informative, hehe.

Kayleigh

[A-1 Affordable]

Hey there
Cabelas online www.cabellas.com has a nice toilet seat bucket for only $12. Nice looking seat with a flip up lid and a 5 gallon bucket.
Hope this helps

[John_in_East_Tx]

http://www.weblife.org/humanure/default.html

[Alice In TX/MO]

http://www.cabelas.com/products/Cpod0009518.jsp

It's down to $9.99

[Cyngbaeld]

I've used them for years and have them now. If it is 'soupy' you aren't putting enough sawdust in or emptying it often enough. I dump them when they are starting to get a little heavy for me to lift or sooner. Be sure to put a good layer of sawdust in the empty bucket and they will be easier to keep clean.

I'm planning to have composting toilets built as soon as possible here. Have some other more urgent things to do first. I'm thinking of using the plans from 'the Toilet Papers' book. Lugging buckets gets old REAL fast!

[Dawndra]

We have 2 buckets... one we're using & one in the waiting ready to go... we hose it out after dumping it & let it dry & then put in a nice thick layer of sawdust. If it gets "soupy" I just put in more sawdust.. no big deal.

The only way to do it is just to make one & try it... you can hem & how forever.

[dscott7972]

O.K., with two or three people, how often does it need emptied?

[edcopp]

Originally Posted by dscott7972

O.K., with two or three people, how often does it need emptied?

Whenever it gets full or pretty close to full.

[Dawndra]

There are 4 people in our house. No one is here during the day, just at night. It needs emptied like every 5 days or so. At least that's been our experience.

[marvella]

http://www.weblife.org/humanure/default.html

here is the humanure handbook, the bible of sawdust toilets. the whole book is free online, for those that can't afford to buy it.

[Hummingbird]

Ok, so I've got all the basic useage details figured out but when the bucket is dumped, is it dumped directly into a garden, does it need to go on a compost pile and aged for awhile, how long before it's "safe" to use on a garden? Thanks!