Yuck - mouldy mask!

[Maria CM]

Hello!

As suggested by the title, I have just got out my diving kit after its winter rest and my mask is all mouldy :eek:

Any suggestions on the best way to clean it and with what?

Thanks,

Maria

[Adrian Kelland]

Milton bay fluid and a good scrub. Take it apart if possible.

I wonder what the inside of your regs is like...

Adrian

[Fred]

Hello!

As suggested by the title, I have just got out my diving kit after its winter rest and my mask is all mouldy :eek:

Any suggestions on the best way to clean it and with what?

Thanks,

Maria

Leave it mouldy and it will not go walkies.:rolleyes:

[Richard Whitcombe]

Give the mould a name, become attached to it and treat it like a member of the family.

Works for me anyway - had to adopt that stance after Milton failed.

[Paul Westhead]

I believe that putting it in the dishwasher gets rid of the mould, but I can't see it being very good for the mask.

[Tony Dwyer]

I believe that putting it in the dishwasher gets rid of the mould, but I can't see it being very good for the mask.

Never tried it. Don't fancy b*ggering the dishwasher. I'd need guidance as to what will happen to the silicone. Also too many attempts will probably make the glass frosty.

I take mine apart every so often. Leave the bits over night in a bucket of diluted milton. Then scub the bits with an old toothbrush and some washing up liquid.

They come out all nice & clea. They stay that way for a little while. :(

It's quite amazing how quickly the blasted black gunge comes back. Even with a rinse after every use.

[Andy Wade]

Never tried it. Don't fancy b*ggering the dishwasher. I'd need guidance as to what will happen to the silicone. Also too many attempts will probably make the glass frosty.

I take mine apart every so often. Leave the bits over night in a bucket of diluted milton. Then scub the bits with an old toothbrush and some washing up liquid.

They come out all nice & clea. They stay that way for a little while. :(

It's quite amazing how quickly the blasted black gunge comes back. Even with a rinse after every use.

TCP and a wire brush.
Oh no, that's a cure for Haemorrhoids :eek:
I'll get me coat... :D

[Mark Sydenham]

[QUOTE=Tony Dwyer]Never tried it. Don't fancy b*ggering the dishwasher. I'd need guidance as to what will happen to the silicone. QUOTE]

It won't do the silicone any harm at all.
The material is the same as they use to make the teats for babies bottles and they can be repeatedly steam sterilised (in a microwave) and they come out fine. :)
So if silicone can take 100 Deg C, then it can handle the 50-60 Deg C temp that a dishwasher operates at.

I know the equipment officer in my club, bungs all the club masks in the dishwasher once or twice a year and they are all fine.

I doubt the ocassional blast in the dishwasher would do much to the tempered glass lenses either. But I wouldn't recommend doing it after every dive!

Cheers,
Mark.
Father of two and a very shiny mask. :D

[ray carlisle]

Of course, you could buy another one.

[Tony Dwyer]

[QUOTE=Tony Dwyer]Never tried it. Don't fancy b*ggering the dishwasher. I'd need guidance as to what will happen to the silicone. QUOTE]

It won't do the silicone any harm at all.
The material is the same as they use to make the teats for babies bottles and they can be repeatedly steam sterilised (in a microwave) and they come out fine. :)
So if silicone can take 100 Deg C, then it can handle the 50-60 Deg C temp that a dishwasher operates at.

I know the equipment officer in my club, bungs all the club masks in the dishwasher once or twice a year and they are all fine.

I doubt the ocassional blast in the dishwasher would do much to the tempered glass lenses either. But I wouldn't recommend doing it after every dive!

Cheers,
Mark.
Father of two and a very shiny mask. :D

Right then. I'm going to be very brave and shove a load of oldish masks into the dishwasher. Much easier than washing them by hand. :)

I see an insurance claim for a new dishwasher in the crystal ball.

[Tony Dwyer]

Of course, you could buy another one.

My main mask has prescription lenses. Not Cheap. Of course I could just buy a replacement mask of the same model and simply swap the lenses. :)

[Andy Wade]

[quote=Mark Sydenham]

Right then. I'm going to be very brave and shove a load of oldish masks into the dishwasher. Much easier than washing them by hand. :)

I see an insurance claim for a new dishwasher in the crystal ball.

It might be worth having a glass protector in when you do it.
And they will be all sparkly too. :)
Although the glass is tempered and it might not be necessary... We have some beer glasses that are a bit 'hazy' from years of going in the dishwasher.
but not as bad as my belly from years of beer going into it though. :D

[Maria CM]

OK - have had a go with Milton and seems pretty good at the moment - I am convinced if I take my mask apart I will never get it back together but it was mainly in the inner skirt anyway.

Thanks for all your replies and I may try the dishwasher in the future too!

all the best,

Maria:)

[Robert]

I use mould cleaner, the type you use for cleaning shower room tiles etc, leave overnight and then soak in cold fresh water over night. Works a treat and last a couple of months before it returns.

[Tristan Green]

Leave it mouldy and it will not go walkies.:rolleyes:
Buy one with a black skirt and it will take several seasons before you even notice the mould :D

An old toothbrush usually gets the worst off if you don't want to take the mask apart.

Cheers,
Tristan

[Tony Dwyer]

[quote=Tony Dwyer]

It might be worth having a glass protector in when you do it.
And they will be all sparkly too. :)
Although the glass is tempered and it might not be necessary... We have some beer glasses that are a bit 'hazy' from years of going in the dishwasher.
but not as bad as my belly from years of beer going into it though. :D

OK One dozen masks through the dishwasher and all sparkly. Even the two prescription ones.

No more mask washing for me :)