Can I run the diluted bleach water through my tankless water heater?

I opted to run it through, but flushed it twice to be safe. Some suggest bypassing the tankless heater. From private Airstream Groups: With the small amount of chlorine used, it should be fine to run through the tankless. I always run everything through the tankless. I always turn off water going into the hot water tank as bleach is not good for the tank. Bacteria can grow in your water heater. I would not bypass it.

How much bleach do you use to sanitize an Airstream fresh water tank?

Use 1/4 cup of unscented household bleach (like Clorox) for every 15 gallons of fresh water tank capacity. Dilute the bleach in a gallon of water before adding it to the tank to ensure even distribution.

How long does it take to sanitize an RV fresh water tank?

If you don't count 4+ hours for no-effort sterilization, the actual work takes about 30 minutes. That includes diluting and adding bleach, filling the tank, running water through all faucets, draining, and refilling with clean water until the chlorine smell is gone.

How do you know when all the bleach is out of your RV water system?

Run each faucet until you can no longer smell chlorine in the water. That is your confirmation the system has been flushed. Always do the smell test rather than relying on a set timer or number of gallons.

How does Airstream recommend we sanitize our fresh water tanks in the owner's manual?

Multiply gallons of tank capacity by 0.13 to get ounces of bleach needed. Mix the bleach into a container of water. Pour the solution into the fresh water tank and fill with potable water. Open all faucets allowing water to run until the distinct odor of chlorine is detected. Allow 4 hours of contact time to disinfect. When contact time is completed, drain the tank.

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Best Camp Chairs for Airstream Owners: What 159 Real Owners Actually Chose (2026 Edition)

September 23, 2026

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Tim Ryan

My friends Mark and Jan bought an Airstream Flying Cloud last year. Before their first shakedown trip, they invested in a pair of GCI Freestyle Rockers. They loved them, but quickly discovered a big issue: the camp chairs were too bulky to fit in the Airstream’s exterior locker or the…
How To Sanitize Your Airstream Fresh Water Tank (Step-by-Step)

May 29, 2026

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Tim Ryan

I sanitized the fresh water tank on my 27-foot Airstream Globetrotter using bleach. Here’s the exact ratio, the steps, and the mistakes I made along the way so you don’t have to repeat them.