When the cabin season ends, a few simple steps will keep your Cinderella incineration toilet in good condition through the winter. This guide covers cleaning, rinsing the catalytic converter, power and ventilation, so your toilet is ready to use when you return in spring.
How do I prepare my Cinderella toilet for winter?
Follow these five steps before you lock up the cabin. Clean the ash container and the toilet bowl first. That way, everything is clean before the final incineration cycle dries the toilet.
1. Empty and clean the ash container
Empty the ash into your household waste. Wash the ash container with warm water and use a soft brush to remove any residue. Do not use sharp metal tools. If residue and salt crystals have built up, let the ash container soak in warm water for 15–30 minutes, or longer if needed. The water dissolves the salt crystals and makes cleaning easier. A clean ash container makes start-up in spring much easier.
2. Clean the toilet bowl
To clean properly around the edge of the hatch, set the toilet to washing position. Make sure the toilet has cooled down and is in standby. Open the lid, then press and hold the Start button for three seconds. The hatch opens so you can reach around the edges.
Use a soft brush or cloth. Avoid steel tools, and never use chlorine-based or flammable cleaning agents. Chlorine is very harmful to the catalytic converter.
3. Rinse the catalytic converter
Rinse the catalytic converter once a year, which equals roughly 500 uses for a typical cabin. If you use the toilet year-round, we recommend rinsing it more frequently. Rinsing removes deposits and keeps air flowing freely through the system.
- Unplug the toilet and disconnect it from the exhaust pipe. Freedom (gas) models: local regulations may require a certified gas installer to disconnect and reconnect the gas supply, for example in North America.
- Remove the ash container. Excess water drains out where the ash container normally sits, and the toilet is much easier to tilt without it.
- Place the toilet where it is fine to spill water, such as outdoors, in a bath or over a drain.
- Tilt the toilet slightly forward. Pour 2–3 litres of hot water through the exhaust pipe, using a funnel to avoid splashing.
- Repeat until the water runs clear. If there are heavy deposits, you may need several rounds, up to 10–15 litres in total.
- Put the ash container back, reconnect the toilet and run an incineration cycle to dry the system.
4. Should I unplug the toilet over winter?
Yes. We recommend unplugging your Cinderella when you close the cabin for winter. If the toilet stays plugged in, a lightning strike or power surge could damage the main circuit board.
All 230V models have a backup battery that powers the electronics during power cuts. When the toilet is unplugged, the battery slowly discharges. It recharges automatically when you plug the toilet back in. With regular charging, the backup battery has an average lifespan of 4–6 years. In rare cases, a long period without charging can shorten its lifespan.
The choice is yours, but our recommendation is to unplug.
5. Ventilation and storage
Keep the toilet dry over winter. If the cabin is damp, you can disconnect the toilet from the pipes to protect it from moisture.
The wall vent on Classic and Freedom models can be closed while the toilet is not in use. If you have disconnected the toilet, you can also seal the pipe openings in the wall with cloths or insulation, so the pipes are not left open to the outside. Before you reconnect the toilet, remember to remove everything you used to seal the pipes. On Classic and Freedom models, also remember to open the wall vent again before you use the toilet.
Ready for a new season
When you return in spring, check that snow and ice are not blocking the air intake and exhaust pipes or the chimney. Clear them so air can flow freely. Open the wall vent on Classic and Freedom models, reconnect the toilet, and your Cinderella is ready to use.
Thank you for taking good care of your Cinderella incineration toilet.
Year-round maintenance tips
Regular maintenance gives you long-lasting performance and trouble-free use. Simple routines like emptying the ash container and keeping the catalytic converter clean and open, so air can flow freely, help keep the system running efficiently and safely all year round.
For a full overview, read our guide to using and maintaining your Cinderella incineration toilet.
Watch our short video for step-by-step instructions:
Frequently asked questions
Can my Cinderella toilet stay in a cold cabin over winter?
Yes. The toilet contains no water or other liquids that can freeze, and our cabin models are tested and approved for temperatures down to –20 °C. If you plan to use the toilet in winter in very cold or exposed locations, the Arctic Insulation Kit and Air Intake vent can reduce frost build-up inside the toilet.
How often should I rinse the catalytic converter?
Once a year, which is roughly 500 uses for a typical cabin. If you use the toilet year-round, rinse it more often, for example twice a year.
What happens to the backup battery if I unplug the toilet?
It slowly discharges over winter and recharges automatically when you plug the toilet back in.
Which cleaning products can I use?
Use warm water and a soft brush or cloth. Never use chlorine-based or flammable cleaning agents, as they can damage the toilet and the catalytic converter.
Have another question? Find more answers in our FAQ.
