Question Is baby shampoo really that bad?

[JohnN]

“Common” knowledge is that the baby shampoo used to defog masks, “eats” the silicone O-rings of cameras when they share a rinse tank

Urban myth or truth??

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

I vote Myth.

 

[mattfish]

I’m not sure about camera o-rings, but baby shampoo is terrible for coral

 

[-JD-]

“Common” knowledge is that the baby shampoo used to defog masks, “eats” the silicone O-rings of cameras when they share a rinse tank

Urban myth or truth??

Scoop water with hand, dump in mask, swish, dump ... Why is there a mask in the rinse tank?

I’m not sure about camera o-rings, but baby shampoo is terrible for coral

Do you have a reference that gives some data on the significance of concentration vs. harm?

 

[mattfish]

This is a little “market-y/salesy” but it was the first info I could recall right away.

Care About Reef Safe Shampoo | Stream2Sea

Discover the importance of using reef-safe shampoo for both your hair and the oceans. Learn why Stream2Sea's shampoo is a safer choice.

stream2sea.com

I know I’ve read more detailed info that referenced some of the items this blog post mentions, but I’m not finding it in my browsing history right now. I’ll try and find it to share here.

 

[JohnN]

I’m not sure about camera o-rings, but baby shampoo is terrible for coral

I'm reasonably certain bad juju would happen if you managed to pour any shampoo on coral. But using a bit to take the film/oil off the inside of a mask that is rised at the surface and remains attached/sealed to your face has any leakage that could effect coral seems highly speculative/horse manure

 

[rjack321]

The itty bit of soap in your mask is kinda nothing compared to the lack of any real wastewater treatment when you go ashore and wash the dishes at your condo, take a shower, or flush the toilet. At least in the vast majority of tropical destinations.

https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.n...JK7zrDTjPg__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA

 

[tridacna]

This is a little “market-y/salesy” but it was the first info I could recall right away.

Care About Reef Safe Shampoo | Stream2Sea

Discover the importance of using reef-safe shampoo for both your hair and the oceans. Learn why Stream2Sea's shampoo is a safer choice.

stream2sea.com

I know I’ve read more detailed info that referenced some of the items this blog post mentions, but I’m not finding it in my browsing history right now. I’ll try and find it to share here.

I’ve read stuff about reef damage “caused” by sunscreens but none about shampoo especially that self-serving bs from Stream2Sea. Really hard to quantify damage to reefs from these products anyway.

 

[Scuba-guy]

lol baby shampoo is for posers. not only is it bad for coral it's also bad for your eyes and causes a slipping hazard on deck. I don't dive with shampoo users. Sea drops and nothing else period.

 

[-JD-]

Biodegradable Shampoo: The Inside Scoop on Reef and Fish Safety

We created a biodegradable shampoo formula that does not contain surfacants that can harm fish and coral. We care about reef safety, and think you should, too!

stream2sea.com

Ok, fish swiming in the spray bottle, no bueno. But a couple drops/dive even over 1000 diver-dives/day doesn't add up to significant changes in the physical properties of water in an open system.