Cleaning fins?

[ChipM1961]

I havn't been in the water in a couple of years and my wife and I are going on a cruise to teh Southern Carribean in May. We will be snorkeling on at least 4 of the 6 islands that we will visit. So in preperation for the trip I got my fins out and started to swimm laps at a local pool. My feet broke out in a rash after one trip to the pool. What is the best way to clean our fins and what should we take with us on the trip to keep them clean? I sponged them out with bleach and rinsed them right away, then dried them well, but I don't want to have to do this every time I use them.

 

[holdingmybreath]

a simple rinse with fresh water after the salt water swim should do... my guess is your feet broke out from something other than the fin.. unless you're allergic to neoprene rubber or something.

 

[uncleavi]

I put a bit of Dr. Bronners soap in the bathtub and then use fresh water.

 

[Dave C]

It sure sounds to me like you are allergic to the fins, or to booties if you wear them. I know one guy who all of sudden developed an allergy to neoprene. People do develop allergies as adults. I'd try the fins and/or booties again before you go to make sure it isn't an allergy.

 

[liquidg]

If you don't have a fins and boots combo,get them it is far better for over all snorkelling than shoe fins.

Any time i clean any of my gear i wash me and the gear in the shower and than half fill a 20 litre bucket with very warm water and some fabric softener,soak your gear in it.

the gear lasts a very long time.

i have two pairs of continental flppers from 69 when i started still in very good condition,the kids ussed them last and maybe their kids will as well.

i have two regs from back than as well.they still work!

 

[ChipM1961]

Thanks for the suggestion. One other question. My wife and I both have full foot fins and as I said before I'm swimming in the pool to get in shape to spend as much time on the reefs as possible during our cruise. I've lost almost thirty lbs so far and now the fins, that I have never had problems with, are starting to be a little loose and are blistering my toes. So the question is what type boots should I get? I was looking at some on scuba.com and was thinking a pair of 1.5 mm boots would work. We snorkel off the beach more often than from boats so I would like something with tread but I don't want them to tear the fins.

 

[liquidg]

I use mirage booties as they have a thick tread for sharp rocks and strong wetsuit material all around just in case a sharp object may hurt my ankle.

These are good booties for low tide walks also for my scuba diving and snorkelling fins.

Plus i use a 2 mil steamer wetsuit in summer and a 3 mil and a 5 mil steamer wetsuits in winter,very comfortable.

In brisbane at the moment the steamers are under a hundred dollars each (aus),so we can afford to do this.

If you can get a bit of wetsuit material as a scabbard stitched to your lower leg part of your wetsuit for a safe spot for your knife and a pocket on the upper leg for your gloves or what ever,you won't regret it.

I hope you enjoy your snorkelling,we have a ball over here.

Our aandtsociety has a snorkelling collecting trip down the coast tomorrow there is a bit of rain and a strong southeasterly,but it is looking very good with some clear water at the moment.

See yah.

 

[Damselfish]

You shouldn't have to do anything special to clean your fins, just a rinse and let dry. If there was something there after their long storage your cleaning and bleach probably took care of it. I agree it was probably something else, or you are alergic to the fins or something.

If your full foot fins fit before my guess is you would have trouble fitting them over actual booties that have much of a sole, and booties with soles tend to just not work well with full foot fins. Something like neoprene socks would probably work better, but they won't protect your feet or last long walking around. If you can't fins something thin enough to fit, consider upgrading to strap fins, or else figure a way to have waterproof sandals or watershoes with you until you get into the water - leave them on shore if you're getting out at the same place and you think they won't get stolen, or figure out a way to attach them to you.

 

[RonFrank]

I'm betting that something got into your fins during storage. Maybe dust, or a solvent, mouse poop, or who knows. Unless you are allergic to rubber, you should not have to do anything special to clean your fins other than to rinse them out. I'd use soap and water if possible, but even just fresh water should do the trick.

If you fins have been in storage for a while, you may consider rinsing/cleaning them before using them! :blinking:

 

[holdingmybreath]

ChipM..
what you need with your full foot fins is neoprene socks... not boots/booties. They are available in different thickness.. I like these Cressi Socks Metallite 3 mm. Accessories Socks - boots, Scubastore.com, buy, offers, scuba