Gear Cleaning Thoughts...

[firefighter3666]

I just got back from a wonderful trip to Negril, Jamaica. The all inclusive covered two tanks a day, and I managed some good diving. My concern is the condition of my gear now that I'm home. Being rather particular about what I dive, I lugged everything but tanks and weights with me. Unfortunately, for the return trip I had to have my bags packed and ready by 11 am, and the flight out didn't leave until 6 pm. Normally this wouldn't be an issue, but for security I pack my gear in a lockable hard side suitcase when I have to fly. Breathability with this suitcase hasn't been an issue before, but I hadn't considered the effect of damp gear in an enclosed suitcase in the Jamaican heat. Needless to say, once I got home my gear had a bit of funk to it. I've got everything soaking in cold water, and I'm debating options for cleaning.

I normally consider a cold water bath to be sufficient, but in this case I think something a bit more might be in order. I have access to a front loading washing machine, and I wonder what people think about running the wetsuit and boots through a hot water cycle. Otherwise, any ideas for de-funking my regs, bc, mask, and fins?

I know I should have asked where the bags were going to be stored prior to my flight, but that free rum thing got the best of me.

 

[ToddK]

I had the same problem once with a drysuit hood. After the next dive and regular dunk cleaning, it was OK.

 

[HenrikBP]

I've had good luck with a combination of wetsuit shampoo and "sink the stink"; letting my gear soak for a day or two in the shampoo before giving it a thorough soak with "sink the stink" and letting it all hang dry.

Henrik

 

[SkipperJohn]

The smell is caused by living organisms. Most likely fungi. I am a fisherman and have that issue often with my fishing stuff and the only thing that helps is bleach. I don't think this is viable for scuba gear, but maybe there is something else that can help kill the little microbes giving off this stench. If you dry it out the smell will stop but restart once you wet it again it will smell all over again.
I had this problem with my booties this summer in Aruba (we had no wind and nothing wanted to dry). Because they aren't too expensive (I paid around $30) I cleaned them with a tiny amount of bleach in a tub of water and some detergent. It worked fine. But I don't know if I would try this on a $200+ wet suit.

 

[SDAnderson]

Rinse everything well with fresh water, inside and out. Let everything soak overnight so that any salt crystals (sharp edges, hard on fabric and BC bladders) that have formed will dissolve. Wash with a gentle detergent and rinse well. The final step is to dip your gear in either of these, then air dry:

-or-

 

[Teamcasa]

I use Woolite, soak it overnight inside out. Rinse carefully and dry it thoroughly. A little mouthwash in the final rinse kills the little buggers and removes the funk. I also pour a capful of mouthwash inside my BC bladder, rinse and let dry inflated.

 

[matnik]

I have run the wet suit through the wash in our front loaded machine, sink the stink. Came out o.k.

 

[SouthSideScubaSteve]

I just got back from a wonderful trip to Negril, Jamaica. The all inclusive covered two tanks a day, and I managed some good diving. .

Kind of off topic , but which all inclusive??

We (my wife & I) have been talking about tyring the all inclusive thing, but most I've researched in Jamaca only seem to include 1 tank/day ...

Thanks!!

 

[seaducer]

I have heard of using the washing machine before. Personally I never have, but if I did I would use cold water and the gentle cycle.

The sink the stink stuff others mentioned works great, I wash my suits in a slop sink with that stuff and never have left over smells.

For the rest of your gear, I prefer to soak in cold water with Salt X, or some other brand of salt eliminator. For your second stages, in the aquarium we dunk them in a Listerine and water solution. Works great.

 

[SkipperJohn]

Most mouthwash contains a good amount of alcohol. Is that ok for the BC bladder? I suppose it's miles better than bleach.

Front load washers... I have one of those. I know they are real gentle (they dont have that agitating piston in the middle which can rip apart delicate fabrics), I suppose on delicate setting, cold water that would be a good idea.