Cleaning gear

[Jenn]

Hey guys wonder how everyone cleans there gear? Wetsuits, gloves, booties, hoods? BC, reg, computers, etc? All my dives are salt water dives. Just looking for some ideas as to how everyone else cleans there gear. Thanks for the information.

[rawalker]

I have a large plastic trash can that I use only for soaking gear.

[cajunfla]

All of my dives are salt water also, and mostly beach dives. I have a large rubbermaid tub that fits in the trunk of my car, and holds all the gear. I usually do 2 dives on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. After each dive the gear goes in the tub for the next dive so salt water does not eat up my car. When I get home I fill the tub with fresh water and swirl it all around, making sure fresh water gets inside the BCD. Let it soak for an hour or 2 then hang to dry on a PVC rack I made for drying. Gear usually stays on the rack until next weekend.

[Jenn]

Thanks for the advice. I have been putting a cooler full of water in the back of my suv when i go diving to soak the gear when I am done. I wasnt sure if there was any chemicals or vinegar or anything that people use on their gear every so often to break down salt buildup.

[mm_dm]

Originally Posted by Jenn

Thanks for the advice. I have been putting a cooler full of water in the back of my suv when i go diving to soak the gear when I am done. I wasnt sure if there was any chemicals or vinegar or anything that people use on their gear every so often to break down salt buildup.

I dive fresh water, but I add plain vinegar to the soak. Nothing special, just the dollar store variety.

[zahgurim]

You don't have to worry about salt crystal buildup if you rinse well in freshwater right after use, and then let dry.

Salt deposits form when you let seawater evaporate on unrinsed gear.

[sravin1]

rinsing and soaking in warm water will be fine for all of your gear except your bc. we were taught in class to fill the bladder with warm water, orally inflate the bc, swirl the watter around and then drain it by holding it upside down and letting the water out through your inflator hose. this needs to be done twice after which you can again inflate your bladder and hang the stuff for drying.