Finally ditched the black tank: my dry loo journey

Cardboard was a disaster for me too, though... just turned into mush.

I hear you on the cardboard - mine just clumped up and made cleaning a pain. Hemp bedding’s been a game changer for me too. It’s pricier, but I barely notice any dust and it seems to last longer between changes. Pine is okay, but like you said, the scent can be a bit much. I guess it really depends on what you’re willing to deal with day-to-day.

Cardboard’s always sounded good in theory, but I had the same issue - just a soggy mess after a few days. Not worth the hassle, especially if you’re trying to keep things low-maintenance and safe. I’m with you on hemp bedding. It’s not cheap, but I’d rather pay a bit more than deal with mold or dust everywhere. The air quality is way better, too, which matters a lot to me since I’ve got allergies and don’t want anything risky floating around.

Pine was my fallback for a while, but honestly, the scent can get overpowering in a small space. Plus, I read mixed things about its safety for composting - some folks say it slows things down or messes with the balance. That kind of put me off.

I’ve also tried coco coir once or twice. It’s decent for moisture control but can be tricky to source sustainably unless you’re careful about brands. Still, it’s less messy than cardboard ever was.

At the end of the day, I just want something that doesn’t create extra work or health concerns. Hemp ticks most of those boxes for me, even if it means budgeting differently. Not sure there’s a perfect solution out there, but at least there are options that don’t turn into sludge...

I get the appeal of hemp, but I’m not totally sold on it being the gold standard either. It’s true, the air quality is better - especially for allergies - but I’ve found it can still get a bit dusty if you’re not careful with certain brands. Plus, the price point just keeps creeping up.

“Pine was my fallback for a while, but honestly, the scent can get overpowering in a small space.”

That’s fair, but I actually like the pine scent - helps mask odors, at least for me. Maybe I’m just used to it from years of woodstoves and sawdust in the garage. As for composting, I’ve had mixed results, but if you balance with enough greens it seems to break down fine over time. Not perfect, but worth a shot if cost is an issue.

Pine’s always been a bit of a love-it-or-hate-it thing, I guess. I’m with you on the scent - reminds me of my uncle’s old workshop, so it doesn’t bother me much. The dust from hemp can be a pain, though, especially if you’ve got any kind of vent or fan running nearby. I’ve noticed some brands are way worse than others for that, but it’s tough to know until you try them.

Composting’s never as straightforward as folks make it sound. Sometimes it breaks down quick, sometimes it just sits there looking at you for months... I’ve had better luck when I chop up kitchen scraps smaller and mix them in well, but even then, patience is key. Price hikes are annoying too - seems like everything’s creeping up these days.

Anyway, sounds like you’re figuring out what works for your setup. That’s half the battle with these dry loos. Just keep an eye on moisture levels and ventilation - seen a few setups go sideways when things got too damp or stuffy.

Composting’s never as straightforward as folks make it sound. Sometimes it breaks down quick, sometimes it just sits there looking at you for months...

- 100% agree on the composting roulette. Sometimes it’s magic, sometimes it’s just... a pile.
- Pine dust gets everywhere, but I’ll take that over the ammonia blast from a black tank any day.
- If you ever get that “too damp” smell, check seals and fans first - usually it’s something simple.
- Price hikes are brutal, but I’ve found bulk farm supply stores sometimes have better deals on bedding. Worth a look if you’re near one.