Masks

Taking Care of Your Snorkelling Masks

Once you have found the perfect snorkelling mask it is important that you take care of it.  This will help the mask to last a long as possible and give you years of good service.  Snorkelling masks are lightweight and easy to transport so it makes sense to take them on all snorkelling trips even if you are going abroad.  Borrowing or renting a mask is never a good option as there is a good chance it will not fit properly and will leak.

Here are just a few tips to help you take care of your snorkelling masks:

-Store or transport your mask carefully to avoid any damage.  You could invest in a special padded case for your mask or you could wrap them carefully in bubble wrap and keep them on the top of your dive bag to avoid damages.

-When you first get your snorkelling mask there will most likely be an oily film on the panes.  This is to protect it during shipping and storage.  To remove the oily film just use a soft cloth and a small amount of wetsuit wash.  Do not use any abrasive cleaners or scourers as this will scratch the lenses and ruin them.

-After each dive make sure you rinse your mask and let it dry before you put it away.  This is particularly important if you have been snorkelling in chlorine-treated swimming pools or salt water.  These elements can cause damage to the rubber/silicone skirts of masks and make them more brittle if left unwashed.  Make sure you rinse all the grit and sand out as well as this could cause scratching on the lenses during storage or transportation.

-Sometimes the rubber/silicone skirt on your mask can get a bit smelly.  This happens if you put the mask away dirty or damp as bacteria and mould can develop.  To wash your mask, soak it for a few minutes in some cool water with wetsuit wash (or a gentle non-bio cleaner).  Rinse thoroughly and then dry.

-Keep your mask away from direct sunlight during storage.  This can degrade the rubber/silicone skirt so that it loses some of its flexibility.

-Treat your mask just like sunglasses or reading glasses and don’t place it face down when not in use.  This can cause scratching on the lenses which can be very annoying and reduce your clarity of vision when you are snorkelling.