Why You Should Disinfect Dive Gear After Every Trip
A quick freshwater rinse removes salt, but it won't kill bacteria or mold. Gear that touches your skin — masks, regulators, wetsuits — can build up germs fast, especially if you store it damp in a bag. Regular disinfection keeps your equipment hygienic, extends its lifespan, and protects the next diver if you ever rent or lend your gear.
Step 1: Rinse Everything in Fresh Water First
Before you disinfect anything, rinse it. Salt crystals left on zippers, buckles, and valves cause corrosion over time, so a thorough freshwater rinse always comes first. Soak your gear for 15–20 minutes if you can, then rinse it again under running water to flush out any trapped salt.
Step 2: Disinfect Your Mask and Snorkel
Your mask sits directly against your skin and breathes in whatever's growing inside it. To disinfect this part of your gear properly:
- Mix a mild, diluted disinfectant solution designed for dive gear (avoid bleach, which damages silicone).
- Soak the mask and snorkel mouthpiece for the time recommended on the product label.
- Rinse thoroughly with fresh water afterward.
- Let it air-dry completely before storing it.
Step 3: Clean Your Regulator the Right Way
Never soak the first stage of your regulator while the dust cap is off — water can damage the internal mechanism. Instead:
- Keep the dust cap firmly sealed over the first stage.
- Rinse the whole unit under low-pressure running water.
- Wipe the mouthpiece with a proper scuba gear cleaner or a diluted mild disinfectant.
- Never submerge the regulator fully unless every port stays properly sealed.
If you're unsure, a professional service technician can clean and inspect your regulator for you — this is a good habit at least once a year, even if you dive often.
Step 4: Wash Your Wetsuit and BCD
Wetsuits and BCDs trap sweat, salt, and bacteria in every seam. Rinse both thoroughly with fresh water, inside and out. For the BCD, fill the bladder partway with fresh water, add a small amount of diluted disinfectant, and slosh it around before draining and rinsing again. Hang both items to dry in the shade — direct sunlight breaks down neoprene and fabric over time.
Step 5: Don't Forget Fins, Boots, and Gloves
For personal gear you dive with regularly, a full disinfection after every 5–10 dives works well, alongside a fresh water rinse after every single dive. If you're renting gear, or sharing equipment with others, disinfect it after every use. Dive centers that rent to multiple divers each day should follow an even stricter cleaning schedule between guests.
How Often Should You Disinfect Dive Gear?
For personal gear you dive with regularly, a full disinfection after every 5–10 dives works well, alongside a fresh water rinse after every single dive. If you're renting gear, or sharing equipment with others, disinfect it after every use. Dive centers that rent to multiple divers each day should follow an even stricter cleaning schedule between guests.
A Few Things to Avoid
- Don't use bleach or harsh household chemicals — they break down rubber and silicone over time.
- Don't leave gear wet in a closed bag. That's exactly the environment mold and bacteria need to grow.
- Don't skip the first stage of your regulator when rinsing — a poorly sealed dust cap can let water inside.
- Don't dry gear in direct sunlight for long periods — UV rays degrade neoprene, silicone, and plastic faster than saltwater alone.
Keep Your Gear Ready for Every Dive
Taking a few extra minutes to disinfect dive gear after each trip pays off — your equipment lasts longer, performs better, and stays genuinely safe to use. If you'd rather skip the maintenance altogether, our team can service, clean, and store your gear for you between dives.