Washing Scuba Equipment
Washing scuba equipment after every use helps remove salt, sand and other residue before they build up. A careful freshwater rinse, proper drying and sensible storage are simple habits that help look after the kit you rely on underwater.
At Dive UK Hurghada, we care for our rental equipment as carefully as our own. This is the practical advice we share with our divers. Always check the instructions for your particular equipment first: cleaning methods, suitable products and soaking times can vary between models.
Washing scuba equipment after every use
Rinse your equipment with clean fresh water as soon as practical after diving. Do this after every use, including pool sessions. Do not wait until the end of your holiday: salt can dry onto equipment quickly in warm weather.
Use a gentle flow of water and take your time around valves, buckles, straps and other places where residue collects. Rinse masks, snorkels and fins too. A quick splash over the outside does not reach every part that needs attention.
Use clean water rather than a rinse tub full of sand or salty water. Keep equipment off dirty ground while you work, and follow any separate cleaning arrangements for mouthpieces and personal items.
Keep water out of your regulator’s first stage
Keep water out of the first-stage air inlet and its internal air passages. The first stage connects to the cylinder, so take particular care with this opening when cleaning your regulator.
Follow your regulator’s manual for its approved rinsing method. Before rinsing a disconnected regulator, make sure its inlet protection is clean, dry and correctly fitted. Do not assume that every dust cap makes a first stage watertight.
Gently rinse the second stage and octopus with fresh water, allowing it to flow through the mouthpieces and exhaust openings to wash salt from the internal breathing chambers. Rinse the hoses and external surfaces too. Use a gentle flow rather than a forceful jet, and do not press the purge button while the regulator is unpressurised: this can let water travel back towards the first stage.
Keep the disconnected first stage out of the water. Water can still enter through a dust cap, so fitting the cap does not make it safe to immerse. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for gently cleaning its exterior. If you suspect water has entered the first stage, stop using the regulator and contact an authorised service technician.
Rinse your BCD inside and out
Salt water can collect inside a BCD as well as around its external fittings. Rinse the outside carefully, paying attention to the inflator and dump valves. Then follow the manufacturer’s procedure for rinsing the bladder.
- Drain any water already inside using the method in your manual.
- Add a small amount of clean fresh water through the approved opening, usually the oral inflator. Do not fill the bladder completely.
- Gently move the BCD so the water reaches the inside surfaces.
- Position it as instructed and drain through the appropriate dump valves and oral deflation outlet, rinsing the routes the manufacturer specifies.
- Repeat with clean water if needed, then drain thoroughly.
This helps clear salt residue from the inside and around the valve seats. Do not force water into the low-pressure hose connection or dismantle valves unless the manual specifically describes this as a user-care task.
Let the BCD dry in the shade. Where the manufacturer recommends it, leave a little air in the bladder for drying and storage. Before the next dive, check inflation, deflation and all dump valves as taught in your training. Washing does not prove that a valve works correctly.
Washing scuba equipment at the end of your holiday
Daily rinsing is the starting point. At the end of a diving holiday, allow time for a more thorough clean before you pack your equipment away.
Soak suitable items in clean fresh water for the time their manufacturer recommends. Change the water when it becomes dirty or salty, gently rinse again and give BCD valves particular attention. Keep the regulator’s first-stage air inlet protected throughout.
Do not put every item into one long soak. A wetsuit, regulator and dive computer may need different treatment. Check the instructions for each, then leave enough time for everything to dry fully before storage.
Washing scuba equipment: care for your dive computer
Rinse your dive computer carefully after use, especially around its buttons, strap, contacts and sensor openings. Use gentle fresh water; avoid high-pressure jets, compressed air or poking anything into a sensor opening.
A freshwater soak can help loosen salt on models whose instructions permit it. Use a clean bowl, follow the specified duration and change the water as needed. We do not recommend a blanket overnight or 12–24-hour soak: some manufacturers specifically advise against leaving their computers in water.
Only operate buttons while submerged if your model’s instructions allow it. Never force a stiff button. If rinsing does not resolve a problem, contact an authorised technician before diving with the computer again. Dry it as instructed before charging or connecting a cable.
Cleaning smelly wetsuits and boots
Rinse wetsuits and boots inside and out after use. For persistent smells or sweat residue, use a small amount of a cleaner that the manufacturer approves for the material, following its dilution and soaking instructions.
Gently work the cleaning water around the inside of the boots or suit, then rinse thoroughly with fresh water. Do not assume ordinary shower gel or washing-up liquid is suitable: ingredients vary. A compatible wetsuit cleaner is a better choice when the manufacturer recommends one.
Avoid bleach, solvents, hot water and machine washing unless the care label explicitly permits them. Cleaning is only half the job; damp equipment can soon smell again if it goes straight into a closed bag.
Dry in the shade before storing your kit
Always dry equipment out of direct sunlight in a well-ventilated place. This helps protect colours from bleaching and fading. Keep it away from radiators and other direct heat sources too.
Allow wetsuits and boots to dry fully inside as well as outside. Turn the suit as needed and use suitable support so its weight does not stretch the material. Check the inside of boots before packing them away.
Store clean, dry equipment in a cool place, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Avoid tight hose bends, heavy objects resting on your kit and sealed bags that trap moisture. Check everything again before your next trip.
Washing scuba equipment does not replace servicing
Good everyday care and professional servicing work together. Cleaning removes residue, but it cannot repair worn parts or confirm that a regulator, inflator or valve is working safely.
Read our scuba diving equipment service guide for advice on manufacturer schedules, authorised technicians and service records. If equipment leaks, sticks or behaves unusually, stop using it and have it assessed.
Washing scuba equipment: common questions
Should I rinse my equipment after every dive?
Yes. Rinse after every use as soon as practical, rather than saving all the cleaning for the end of the holiday. Follow the individual care instructions for each item.
Can I leave everything soaking overnight?
No. Only soak equipment that is suitable for immersion, using the method and duration its manufacturer recommends. Take particular care with regulators and dive computers.
Why does my wetsuit still smell after rinsing?
Residue and trapped moisture can contribute to smells. Use a compatible cleaner when needed, rinse thoroughly and dry both sides completely before storage.
Can you show me how to care for my equipment?
Yes. When you are diving with us, ask the team to show you a suitable cleaning routine for your kit. Bring its care instructions if you are unsure about a particular model.
Ask us before your next diving holiday
We are happy to help with equipment-care questions and your diving arrangements. Call or message us on WhatsApp or email Dive UK Hurghada. You can also explore our daily diving trips and courses below.
