equipment cleaning

[JustAddWater]

I recently took some equipment out of storage, and found that moisture had gotten into a couple of storage cases. I don't see any mold, but there is a very musty smell. The equipment is mostly wetsuits, gloves, booties...(no regs). What do you recommend as a cleaner?
Thanks,
JAW

 

[Mako Mark]

water, salt or fresh, it doesnt matter,

 

[opiniongirl]

there are some good products available at your LDS which will remove the smell. Neoprene shampoo (Aquaseal makes some) that will get rid of the organic material which likely caused the smell.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

I throw mine in the washer with Woolite and Febreeze (I just dump some in the washer) then spritz them with Febreeze once they are done and hang to dry.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[jbd]

I just soak the stuff in a tub of water with some Woolite then rinse and hang to dry.

 

[Mako Mark]

Soak The Complete Set, Yourself Included In The Nearest Lake Quarry Or Ocean And The Mustyness Will Go Away All By Itself....

 

[emtdan]

I soak for about 20 min in hand dishwashing soap.

 

[pt40fathoms]

Your wetsuit and other neoprene material is durable, however, with all respects to those who choose to use a machine to wash them, I must say to you please don't.

Hand wash only!

Don't use soaps that "fight grease" or have phosphates.

Wool lite and other like products, although not specifically endorsed by the manufacturers, would be the least damaging.

The best is to visit your LDS and pick up some wet suit wash and some odor removing agent, specifically designed for neoprene. They are cheap and are designed just for this purpose you have in mind.

Then go give it a good rinse that can only be achieved at about 60 feet!

 

[Ber Rabbit]

Ok, I'll bite since I always machine wash mine. Why not? I put it on a delicate cycle, secure all velcro, balance the load and go. I bought one wetsuit used and another was given to me unused but unwanted so it's not like I have a lot of money wrapped up in them.

Unpacking and washing scuba gear is one of my least favorite activities so if the wetsuit didn't get machine washed it wouldn't get washed at all unless I happened to go somewhere and dive in salt water and they had a rinse tub there.

Just curious about the reason for not machine washing,
Ber

 

[jbd]

I'm wondering what the difference is between Woolite and the stuff you buy at the LDS. :06: