How to Clean SCUBA Gear in Bleach

Scuba gear should be cleaned and dried at the end of each day's dive to prevent salt buildup and reduce bacteria. A simple, mild bleach solution can be prepared quickly for disinfecting your dive gear. Undercurrent.org suggests that soaking gear such as masks, snorkels and rubber mouthpieces in communal rinse tanks should be avoided to reduce the potential spread of disease.

Things You'll Need

  • Bleach (1 tablespoon)
  • Water
  • Bucket (at least 1.5 gallon capacity)
  • Soft brush (e.g., toothbrush)
  • Scuba gear (e.g., mask, snorkel)
  • Optional: another bucket, latex gloves
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill the 1.5-gallon bucket with one gallon of fresh water and add one tablespoon of bleach.

    • 2

      Place rubber or plastic parts of the scuba gear into the bleach solution and allow them to soak for up to 2 minutes. Rubber parts include mouthpieces, snorkels, masks and rubber face skirts. Plastic parts include clips and holders.

    • 3

      Gently brush away, using the soft brush, any noticeable mold or mildew from the rubber or plastic parts after the soaking period. Consider rinsing for a few seconds in the bleach solution to see whether additional areas need to be brushed.

    • 4

      Remove gear from the bucket, transfer to second bucket filled with fresh water, if desired, and rinse the gear in fresh water according to your normal cleaning routine. Make sure the gear is rinsed in fresh water for at least as long as it soaked in the bleach solution.

    • 5

      Hang all gear to dry, taking care to keep it away from sunlight or heat.