When enjoying an underwater adventure, your snorkel gear is your viewpoint to the beautiful, mysterious world around you. The lens of the mask allows you to see the world clearly, but if you don’t clean it properly, you may find that you cannot see things as well as you would like to while snorkeling or diving.
It’s important to learn how to clean your snorkel gear if you want to make the most of every experience. Not only does cleaning your mask regularly ensure that you can see crisp views when underwater.
A Snorkeling gear consists of three main components with self-explanatory functions – a snorkel mask, a breathing tube, and snorkeling fins.
Although simple as the process sounds, cleaning part of the equipment is equally critical. Ignorance to an aspect as to how to clean snorkel gear will lead to adverse health effects along with ruining a wonderful experience.
So now, let us have a brief description of the cleaning process of a Snorkel Gear.
When you get a new mask
The first thing that you will need to do when you get a new snorkel mask is to prepare it for use. If you don’t take a few minutes to prep the lenses, fogging can become an issue while diving. This fogging is caused by the build-up of silicone and other manufacturing agents in the mask.
While many divers use toothpaste to remove this layer of build-up, your new mask should be treated kindly with a non-abrasive product. Using baby shampoo is the best way to gently and safely remove the layer. Plus, it won’t burn your eyes if any product is left behind.
Here is what you need to do:
1. Wet the mask and then rub baby shampoo around both the lens and the skirt of your snorkel mask.
2. Rinse the mask with warm water.
3. Repeat this process two to three times.
If you want to try something other than baby shampoo, there are a number of commercial cleaning products available that work on new masks too. Another at-home solution is to use a paste made of baking soda and water. This paste can be rubbed gently into the mask and then thoroughly rinsed to ensure that the silicon layer is removed.
How to clean snorkel mask?
Cleaning of the mask after diving also goes with the same procedure. Smear the paste over the facade of the glass.
Toothpaste can also be substituted with a solution of dish-washing detergent with water or bleach with water or any soap solution containing a less alkaline substance in it.
Shampoo with water can also be used.
Clean the glass with light finger pressure covering all crevices. Rinse off the mask thoroughly under running water cleaning all corners precisely.
Take extra care if the solution used contains mint or similar ingredients since they can cause irritation in the eyes the next time you wear the mask, if not washed properly.
Once rinsed off, dry the glass with a soft towel or thick cloth. A sponge also serves well for the same.
How to clean a snorkel mouthpiece?
Breathing tube can be cleaned properly in a large utensil, for example – a bucket.
Fill the utensil with a solution of dish detergent and water.
Put the breathing tube in the solution for about five minutes and then rinse the same off thoroughly.
As for the mask, washing solution for the breathing tube also can be substituted with any less alkaline soap solution. Dry the tube with a soft towel or sponge.
How to clean a snorkel fins?
Take a large utensil. Fill it with less alkaline soap solution. Wipe the dirt off the surface of your fins with hands.
Do not use any scrubbing tool or brush.
The apparatus of Snorkel Gear, for that matter, needs to be taken care of in a tender manner. Smallest of the scratches or tiny dirt particles can damage it permanently in no time.
Rinse the fins off thoroughly after cleaning under running water.
Then, dry with a soft towel or sponge.
Below are some more important points that come in handy and can be kept in mind regarding the cleaning of Snorkel equipment.
Conclusion
With proper care, a quality snorkel mask can last for many years. If you want to get the most bang for your buck and also be able to keep using the mask that you’ve come to love, make sure that you are taking the time to learn how to clean and maintain your snorkel mask. Properly storing, cleaning, and treating your mask does not have to take a lot of time. Make these routines a regular part of your scuba diving practice, and you’ll find that it becomes second nature in no time at all!
