Removing tobacco odors from equipment

[eandiver]

I just picked up 2 snorkels and a mask at a garage sale. Everything is in perfect condition except for the fact that the owner was a heavy smoker and the gear smells like smoke.......strong smoke. Any ideas on how to get rid of the smell without damaging the plastic, rubber or glass?

 

[Scubaguy62]

have you tried soaking them in an amonia, or a pine sol solution? it just might do the trick. I wash my mask with seavision defog after every dive (diluted dishwashing liquid also works), and when I wash my wetsuit, I throw in a little listerine. I don't dive with a snorkel, but when I go snorkeling with my kids I wash the snorkels the same way as the mask.

 

[H2Andy]

no idea, sorry

but your avatar picture was taken at Devil's Eye, Ginnie Springs, wasn't it?

 

[eandiver]

I was thinking of a weak bleach solution or ammonia (but not both!) I just don't know what effect it would have on the plastic/rubber.

And yes that's Ginnie.

 

[Scubaguy62]

I was thinking of a weak bleach solution or ammonia (but not both!) I just don't know what effect it would have on the plastic/rubber.

And yes that's Ginnie.

Right, not both. I'm not sure, however, if the bleach solution may cause some discoloration; it might.

 

[eandiver]

Right, not both. I'm not sure, however, if the bleach solution may cause some discoloration; it might.

If it was weak enough (strong pool water) and soaked long enough maybe. Dunno.

 

[emtdan]

I would say scrub using a dishwashing liquid. That has saved me from a lot when cleaning my own gear.

 

[divad]

Smoke more.

 

[doole]

See my signature...

 

[H2Andy]

ah yes, but it also breaks down certain plastics and neoprene...

i wonder... would sunlight hurt a regular snorkel? it might hurt the skirt on
the mask, depending on what it's made of.