9 Saltwater-Safe Supplies for Cleaning Dive and Snorkel Gear

Step off the boat after a spectacular dive, and the clock immediately starts ticking against your gear’s worst enemy: salt. Left unchecked, saltwater dries into razor-sharp micro-crystals that slice through neoprene fibers, seize metal zippers, and ruin delicate regulator seals. Having a dedicated arsenal of saltwater-safe cleaning supplies is the only way to protect your investment and guarantee your life-support equipment performs flawlessly on the next descent.

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Why Saltwater Gear Needs Immediate and Proper Rinsing

Saltwater is highly corrosive and leaves behind mineral deposits as it evaporates. When seawater dries on your dive gear, it forms hard, jagged salt crystals. These crystals act like tiny sandpaper sheets, grinding away at silicone skirts, O-rings, and fabric seams every time the gear moves.

Worse yet, salt is hygroscopic, meaning it constantly attracts moisture from the air. This trapped moisture creates a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and bacteria in the dark corners of your gear bag. A simple splash of fresh water is not enough to dissolve these stubborn deposits; they require deep soaking and targeted chemical breakdown to prevent permanent degradation.

Salt Remover – Salt-Away Concentrate Cleanser Kit

A freshwater rinse only does half the job because salt chemically bonds to neoprene and metal. Salt-Away Concentrate is designed to break that chemical bond, dissolving salt crust on contact and leaving a temporary protective coating that inhibits future rust and corrosion. It is the premier option for rescuing zippers, regulator stages, and camera housings from salt buildup.

The kit includes a specialized mixing unit that attaches directly to a standard garden hose. This allows you to spray down large gear items, like wetsuits and BCDs, with a perfectly diluted stream before a final soak.

• Best Uses: Flushing BCD bladders, rinsing wetsuits, washing down dive cameras and dive knives.
• Key Feature: Auto-diluting hose mixer attachment.
• Compatibility: Safe on all metals, rubbers, plastics, and fiberglass.

This kit is an absolute must-have for shore divers and boat owners who rinse heavy gear at home. It is less practical for minimalist travelers who rely on dive center rinse tanks, but essential for anyone maintaining their own high-end equipment.

Wetsuit Shampoo – JAWS Slosh Wetsuit Shampoo

Neoprene acts like a sponge, trapping body oils, sweat, sunscreen, and saltwater minerals deep within its cells. Regular household soaps strip the natural flexibility of neoprene, leading to premature cracking and dry rot. JAWS Slosh Wetsuit Shampoo is a specialized, eco-friendly formula that cleans, conditions, and disinfects neoprene without damaging the delicate rubber.

What sets Slosh apart is its multi-use, biodegradable formula that doubles as a body wash and hair shampoo in a pinch. It neutralizes chlorine and salt while conditioning the suit to keep it soft, supple, and easy to slide into for your next dive.

• Best Uses: Wetsuits, boots, hoods, gloves, and rash guards.
• Key Feature: 2-in-1 conditioning and cleaning agent.
• Sizing: Available in travel-friendly 4-ounce bottles or economical 16-ounce bottles.

Apply a small amount to a tub of cool water, submerge your suit, and knead the fabric gently to let the formula penetrate. This shampoo is perfect for active divers, though occasional snorkelers using basic rash guards can get by with milder alternatives.

Mask Cleaner – Gear Aid Sea Buff Mask Pre-Cleaner

New dive masks come coated with a thin layer of silicone manufacturing oil on the glass lens, which causes instant fogging if not removed. Gear Aid Sea Buff Mask Pre-Cleaner is a specialized, mildly abrasive cleanser designed specifically to strip this film away. It also removes accumulated dirt, sunscreens, and algae that regular rinses leave behind on older masks.

Using standard toothpaste or dish soap can scratch glass or degrade the silicone skirt over time. Sea Buff uses a carefully calibrated formula that cleans deeply without damaging the tempered glass or compromising the mask’s seal.

• Best Uses: Pre-cleaning new masks, deep cleaning seasoned dive masks.
• Key Feature: Gentle abrasive formula optimized for tempered glass.
• Warning: Do not use on plastic lenses, swim goggles, or anti-fog coated lenses.

Before using, apply a few drops to the inside and outside of the dry lens, rub firmly with your thumb, and rinse thoroughly. This product is indispensable for anyone buying a new mask or struggling with persistent mask-fogging issues.

Zipper Lubricant – Gear Aid Zipper Wax Stick

Heavy-duty zippers on drysuits, semi-dry suits, and gear bags are highly vulnerable to salt corrosion and jamming. Once a zipper gets stuck or loses teeth, the entire gear item often becomes useless. Gear Aid Zipper Wax is a paraffin-based lubricant that keeps zippers sliding smoothly while protecting them from harmful salt deposits.

Unlike wet silicone sprays or grease, this dry wax formula will not attract sand, dirt, or debris from the beach. The stick applicator makes it easy to apply precisely along the zipper teeth without making a mess on the surrounding fabric.

• Best Uses: Drysuit zippers, wetsuit zippers, heavy-duty gear bag tracks.
• Key Feature: Dry paraffin wax stick form.
• Compatibility: Safe for metal and plastic zippers.

Simply run the stick along the open zipper teeth, slide the zipper back and forth a few times to distribute the wax, and store. This is a non-negotiable tool for drysuit divers and anyone using heavy-duty gear bags in sandy environments.

Odor Eliminator – Gear Aid Revivex Odor Eliminator

Damp dive booties and wetsuits left in a gear bag quickly develop a sour, mildewed stench caused by trapped bacteria. Gear Aid Revivex Odor Eliminator uses a powerful blend of natural microbes and enzymes to consume the organic matter causing the odor. Instead of masking the smell with heavy perfumes, it neutralizes it completely.

This concentrated formula is water-activated, making it incredibly easy to use as a dunk-tank additive. It penetrates deep into the pores of neoprene, boot liners, and BCD bladders where bacteria hide.

• Best Uses: Booties, gloves, wetsuit interiors, and BCD bladders.
• Key Feature: Enzyme-based, biodegradable organic odor remover.
• Mix Ratio: Concentrated formula (one ounce treats a 20-gallon tub).

Never rinse the gear after using Revivex; the active enzymes need to air-dry on the gear to fully destroy the odor-causing bacteria. This product is a lifesaver for liveaboard travelers and weekend warriors who cannot dry their gear immediately.

Gear Hanger – Underwater Kinetics Hangair Dryer

Hanging a heavy, wet neoprene suit on a standard plastic or wire closet hanger is a recipe for disaster. The narrow profile of cheap hangers creases the shoulders, weakening the neoprene and eventually tearing the fabric under the weight of the water. The Underwater Kinetics Hangair Dryer features extra-wide shoulders and a high-power built-in fan to dry suits from the inside out.

By circulating high-velocity air through the interior of the suit, it cuts drying times by up to 70 percent. This rapid drying process prevents the formation of mold and mildew, extending the lifespan of your expensive suits.

• Best Uses: Thick wetsuits, semi-dry suits, and drysuits.
• Key Feature: High-output 12V waterproof fan built into the hanger neck.
• Weight Capacity: Supports up to 100 pounds of wet gear.

Keep in mind that this unit requires access to a standard electrical outlet, making it best suited for garage, balcony, or hotel room use. It is a premium investment, but highly recommended for cold-water divers using thick, slow-drying 7mm suits or drysuits.

Wash Basin – Prepworks Collapsible Portable Basin

Dunking delicate regulators, dive computers, and masks in communal rinse tanks at dive shops can expose your expensive gear to dirt and bacteria from other divers’ equipment. The Prepworks Collapsible Portable Basin provides a clean, personal wash station wherever your adventures take you. It holds up to 2.25 gallons of water, which is the perfect size for soaking smaller, high-value gear.

Its clever collapsible design allows it to fold down to under two inches thick, sliding easily into a gear bag or under a car seat. The rigid rim and sturdy base ensure it won’t collapse or spill when filled with water.

• Best Uses: Soaking regulators, dive computers, masks, and action cameras.
• Key Feature: Space-saving collapsible design.
• Capacity: 8.5 quarts (2.25 gallons).

While too small for a full wetsuit, this basin is the ideal size for isolated, meticulous rinsing of delicate electronics and breathing apparatuses. It is a must-have for shore divers, kayakers, and travelers who value gear hygiene.

Cleaning Brush – Innovative Scuba Concepts Brush

Salt crystals and fine sand love to hide in the tiny crevices of BCD buckles, quick-disconnect hose fittings, and regulator exhaust tees. A standard sponge cannot reach these tight spaces, allowing salt to crust over and compromise mechanical parts. The Innovative Scuba Concepts Dual Ended Brush features two distinct bristle styles designed to safely scrub away stubborn deposits.

The brass bristle end is perfect for cleaning corrosion off of robust metal components like brass snap clips and stainless-steel D-rings. The softer nylon bristle end is designed for delicate plastic parts, zipper teeth, and silicone seals.

• Best Uses: Cleaning hose connections, BCD valves, buckles, and zipper tracks.
• Key Feature: Dual-ended design with brass and nylon bristles.
• Ergonomics: Easy-grip handle for precise scrubbing.

Take care not to use the brass bristles on soft plastic, silicone, or plated metal surfaces, as it can cause scratching. This inexpensive brush is a crucial addition to any diver’s save-a-dive kit for field maintenance.

Regulator Sanitizer – Trident Sanitizing Spray

The mouthpiece of your regulator or snorkel is a prime breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, and fungi due to warm, moist exhaled air. Rinsing with water alone does not sanitize these surfaces, leaving you exposed to potential infections. Trident Sanitizing Spray is a fast-acting, food-grade disinfectant designed specifically for mouthpieces and regulator second stages.

This spray kills germs on contact without degrading the silicone or plastics used in modern dive gear. Unlike household disinfectants, it does not leave behind a harsh, toxic chemical taste or odor that ruins your next dive.

• Best Uses: Sanitizing regulator mouthpieces, snorkels, and BCD oral inflators.
• Key Feature: Food-safe, non-toxic sanitizing formula.
• Application: Easy pump spray bottle.

To use, simply spray the mouthpiece generously, let it sit for the recommended contact time, and rinse lightly with fresh water before diving. It is a critical hygiene supply, especially for families sharing gear or divers using rental equipment.

The Step-by-Step Saltwater Rinse and Wash Process

Proper gear washing requires a systematic approach to ensure all salt and organic matter are fully removed. Start by preparing your wash basins: one large tub filled with fresh water and your wetsuit shampoo, and a smaller basin filled with clean water for your regulator and dive computer. Always keep the dust cap firmly on the regulator’s first stage before submerging it to prevent water from entering the high-pressure seat.

Submerge your wetsuit, booties, and BCD in the soapy water, kneading the neoprene to flush out salt. Use your dual-ended brush to clean the zipper tracks, BCD buckles, and hose connections. Let the gear soak for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the salt crystals to dissolve completely.

For the regulator and computer, gently agitate them in the fresh water basin, pressing the purge button only if the system is pressurized (otherwise, water can backflow into the first stage). Finish by spraying down the mouthpieces with your sanitizing spray, followed by a final, clean freshwater rinse across all equipment.

How to Dry and Store Your Dive Gear to Prevent Mold

Drying your gear correctly is just as important as washing it. Never leave dive gear drying in direct sunlight, as UV rays break down neoprene, dry out silicone seals, and fade fabrics in a matter of hours. Instead, hang your wetsuits inside-out in a well-ventilated, shaded area using a heavy-duty wide hanger to prevent shoulder creasing.

For boots and gloves, prop them open or use a drying rack so air can circulate all the way to the fingertips and toes. Ensure your BCD is partially inflated before hanging it; this prevents the inner bladder walls from sticking together and allows any trapped internal moisture to drain out of the dump valves.

Once every item is bone-dry to the touch, store them in a cool, dark, climate-controlled closet. Avoid folding neoprene tightly for long periods, as this creates permanent creases that reduce the suit’s insulation ability. Proper storage ensures your gear remains mold-free, smelling fresh, and ready for your next underwater adventure.

Conclusion

Taking care of your dive and snorkel gear is an investment in both safety and longevity. By using the right saltwater-safe cleaning supplies and following a disciplined rinsing routine, you protect your equipment from the silent, destructive power of salt crystals and mold. Keep your gear clean, store it dry, and it will keep you safe on the water for years to come.