Tricks

[ClayJar]

I've heard of the lighter trick, and I've seen it done. That said, I've never had occasion to need to use it, myself, so I lump it in with dive shop defog and other things that are irrelevent to me now (but that I stick in a box in the back of my mind for future reference).

Toothpaste for the initial cleaning, baby shampoo (not diluted) for defog, and an occasional mouthwash-and-toothbrush scrub if I've been in icky water. That's about all I've ever needed.

 

[MSilvia]

That's still more trouble than I've had to go through ClayJar. I hit mine once with toothpaste, and it's been all "spit and rinse" since then.

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

Toothpaste initially and periodically, and then baby shampoo for defog.

 

[CBulla]

Tooth paste to clean it up - big ole fat tongue and lick the inside of the mask, never fog!

 

[3-Ring Octopus]

Licking the inside of the mask!! That's a good one for when you just can't muster up a big ole loogy for whatever reason (or two...damn two-window mask..! lol) Thanks Cbulla...wow...now I feel like an idiot for not thinking of that sooner!

Seriously...people really carry little containers of baby-shampoo with them while diving? Is that stuff reef-safe? lol Spit, Rinse, Dive!

Cheers,
Austin

 

[gangrel441]

Wife was using a brand new low-volume mask a few years ago on a trip. Cleaned it 3 times with toothpaste, still fogged horribly every dive. Our dive guide on the boat used his lighter on the mask. First time I have seen or heard of this. As I recall, the mask stayed pretty clear that dive, but fogged again the next. One more cleaning with toothpaste did fix the problem though. Stubborn mask....

 

[Walter]

Ha ha You know what I meant Mask

I only know what you say. Say what you mean, mean what you say, I've misplaced my crystal ball.

 

[ClayJar]

Seriously...people really carry little containers of baby-shampoo with them while diving?

Yep. I don't want to know what the spring silt tastes like, and while I can do the licking thing if it comes down to it, it always struck me as "spitting in your eye".

Plus, baby shampoo does all sorts of other nice things. (I wouldn't want to lick a funky wetsuit clean...)

 

[cmufieldhockey8]

I know somebody who did the lighter thing and said it works great for a long time. I was told dishsoap is good for the initial cleaning. As for defog, I just spit in my mask... keeps my tongue off of potentially yucky tasting surfaces.

 

[ClayJar]

*sniffle*... I must have weak spit. It just doesn't work well. (Baby shampoo, on the other hand, works wonderfully even if I just ate a cookie. )