Baby Shampoo vs Mask Defog

[Jake 10]

Sea water or fresh?

fresh water on the boat provided by Toucan Diving while in Bonaire

 

[RobPNW]

If the mask is fairly clean I’ve come to the conclusion that plain ole spit works about as good as any of them.

 

[BoltSnap]

Sea Gold Gel

Absolute best thing!

I've tried everything else but this is best!

 

[Ghost95]

Is there a baby shampoo that doesn't smell like j&j. I don't like anything baby smelling, shampoo, powder, whatever.

 

[scrane]

Does it have to be a used toothbrush? There are people in some states where finding a used one might be a problem.

I see where you're coming from.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I'm in the baby shampoo camp. Cut 50/50. I leave a small bottle of it in my boat box. I put on enough to cover the lense(s) when setting up my gear and then leave it to dry. I typically do not rinse my mask pre-dive. I then re-apply during the SI and then again leave it to dry. If I end up with too much on, I may very lightly rinse the mask. VERY lightly! Don't want to rinse all of it off.

I never have a fogging issue.

 

[coder_underwater]

Mask defog has never worked very well for me even with a treated mask (meaning burning the lens and scrubbing with toothpaste). I'd be willing to give the baby shampoo a whirl. I remember years ago when I used to play paint ball we used this stuff called "cat crap" which was similar in consistency to vaseline which if it is petroleum based would not be acceptable for diving. Anyway, the search continues.

 

[Saboteur]

I'm in the baby shampoo camp. Cut 50/50. I leave a small bottle of it in my boat box. I put on enough to cover the lense(s) when setting up my gear and then leave it to dry. I typically do not rinse my mask pre-dive. I then re-apply during the SI and then again leave it to dry. If I end up with too much on, I may very lightly rinse the mask. VERY lightly! Don't want to rinse all of it off.

I never have a fogging issue.

Same mix I use for my own dives, but I always rinse. I may give that no rinse method a try.

 

[MacDuyver]

Does the former work as well as the latter? Or is it just an urban legend / myth?

I’m a baby shampoo enthusiast myself. I tried a dozen or so defoggers and they all sucked.

I forgot mine this past weekend and got to try defog gel again. It was just as ****** as I remembered it. No fog, however that came at the cost of a smeary-looking lens.

Not even a comparison. Baby shampoo on flamed glass is vastly superior.

And I can get a bottle that’ll last me 3-5 years at half the cost of a defogger

 

[davehicks]

I find that pretty much all defoggers and saliva work fine IF you don't touch the glass with your fingers. Instead use an old toothbrush to spread it around and clean the glass. Your fingers are covered in body oils, sunscreen, and silicone lubricant and rub that all over the glass, promoting fogging. Just keep an old toothbrush stored in your mask box.

After a quick scrub of the defog/spit with the toothbrush, sinse with a bit of water (fresh or salt) before putting on the mask.