The most important characteristic a snorkeler can have is comfort and confidence in the water. When a snorkeler is comfortable their peripheral vision opens up and more marine life and coral is seen underwater. Much of this confidence and comfort comes from owning quality gear that has been used before. Quality snorkeling gear is not cheap. To ensure you get a lifetime of use out of your snorkeling gear proper cleaning and storage is required. Failure to clean and maintain your gear will likely result in a shortened life and potential failure when in use on the reef.
Why You Need To Clean Snorkeling Gear
There are many reasons you need to clean your snorkeling gear after a snorkeling tour. Most importantly health and hygiene is very important with snorkeling gear. The snorkeling mask is covering the opening of our nose, the snorkel is in our mouth, and we cannot see well inside of our fins. If you are not convinced that cleaning is required already then maybe a different blog post is needed. Snorkeling gear is exposed to germs while in use, on the boat, while in transit, and while its potentially wet in storage.
What Exactly Are You Cleaning From The Snorkeling Gear
When you are cleaning your snorkeling gear there are 3-4 major things you want to address. The most important is bacteria and germs. Failure to remove bacteria and germs from your snorkeling gear could result in sickness or severe injury. The next item to address is sand or debris that was suspended in the water column. Small particles in the water or exposed to during transit can get into the cracks and crevices of your gear. This will cause the materials to deteriorate prematurely. Lastly and most obvious is the salt water or freshwater that the snorkeling was exposed to. Saltwater will leave the strongest corrosive residue.
Proper Snorkeling Gear Cleaning Techniques
Properly cleaning your snorkeling gear is quick and easy. Start with a bin of freshwater and fully submerge your mask, snorkel, and fins. Adding Steramine tablets to sanitize the water is great upgrade. If you have a wetsuit keep that to side for now. After your snorkeling gear has soaked for 5-10 minutes shake your gear out piece by piece while underwater. If you have a hose you can use to do a final rinse. You want your final rinse whether with a hose or by hand underwater to ensure that all moving pieces are moved to free up any small particles. Next you’ll want to lay out your gear to dry ideally not in the direct sun. After your gear is cleaned then soak and rinse your wetsuit for 5-10 minutes and allow time to hang and dry completely. If you added Steramine to the water then your done. If not then you will want to use some type of mouthwash spray sanitizer for your snorkel.
How to Clean a Snorkeling Mask – Detailed Instructions
- Prepare a rinse bin with warm water and mix with either mild dish soap, dive gear cleaner, steramine, or a silicone based cleaning solution approved snorkeling gear.
- Submerge your mask in the cleaning solution and shake free all particles.
- Allow the mask 5-10 minutes of time to soak in the cleaning solution.
- Run your hands through the skirt of the mask to free up any collected particles of sand, salt, or grime.
- Avoid using a sponge or rag to scrub your mask to prevent scratching the lens.
- Finally shake/rinse the mask underwater by quickly moving it back and forth to use the force of the water to dislodge any trapped particles.
- Allow the mask time to dry. Use a micro-fiber towel to lightly dry your mask.
- Inspect mask to ensure it is properly cleaned and dry. If needed a q-tip can be used to touch up any lingering particles.
- If there are any scuff marks on your masks Magic Eraser pads work great to remove them.
(Pro Tip – Order Steramine tablets and soak your mask for better sanitization)
How to Clean a Snorkel – Detailed Instructions
- Prepare a rinse bin with warm water and mix with either mild dish soap, dive gear cleaner, steramine, or a silicone based cleaning solution approved snorkeling gear.
- Submerge your snorkel in the cleaning solution and shake free all particles.
- Allow the snorkel 5-10 minutes of time to soak in the cleaning solution.
- Use your hands and a toothbrush to scrub the mouthpiece area of the snorkel.
- For added protection and cleaning after rinsing and cleaning snorkel pour or stray mouthwash into the snorkel mouthpiece.
- Finally rinse the snorkel underwater by quickly moving it back and forth to use the force of the water to dislodge any trapped particles.
- Allow snorkel time to dry completely. Do not use a hairdryer as the heat can damage the snorkel.
- Inspect snorkel to ensure it is completely dry and clean.
- If there are any scuff marks on your snorkel Magic Eraser pads work great to remove them.
How to Clean Snorkeling Fins – Detailed Instructions
- Prepare a rinse bin with warm water and mix with either mild dish soap, dive gear cleaner, steramine, or a silicone based cleaning solution approved snorkeling gear.
- Submerge your fins in the cleaning solution and shake free all particles.
- Manipulate the fin strap to ensure there are no trapped particles or salt in the fin strap buckles.
- Allow the fins 5-10 minutes of time to soak in the cleaning solution.
- Finally shake/rinse the fins underwater by quickly moving it back and forth to use the force of the water to dislodge any trapped particles.
- Allow the fins time to dry. Use a micro-fiber towel to lightly dry your mask.
- Inspect foot pocket, blade, fin strap, and mounting clips to ensure everything is clean and free of any damage.
- If there are any scuff marks on your masks Magic Eraser pads work great to remove them.
How To Properly Store Your Snorkeling Gear After Cleaning
There are a couple of important steps to follow when storing your snorkeling gear. First you want to make sure everything is completely dry. Any gear that is wet and stored will be prone to mold and mildew. To prevent moisture build-up or collection wrap your mask and snorkel in an old t-shirt or beach towel. Store in water resistant bag in place that there is no risk for getting crushed. The materials that snorkeling masks, fins, and snorkels are made out of can warp or deform is under prolonged irregular pressure. When storing fins also make sure that the shape of the fins will not be impacted by any forces or pressures. Additionally if you have metal straps on your fins be mindful of where they are stored to prevent any rusting. If you follow all of these steps the next time you go on a snorkeling tour your gear will be ready for you.
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