(updated 2025-06-27 12:14 to say that the snorkel was saved)

If you are like me and when you get back from the evening’s game you don’t immediately wash and dry all your kit but leave it in the bag until the morning you may find that black mould builds up over the months and years.

Snorkel

This snorkel cleaned up remarkably well. I simply dissembled it and soaked it in water and baby shampoo for a few minutes and then pushed a microfibre cloth though it with with a large chopstick.

Mouthpiece

I threw away the mould mouthpiece. The soft plastic seems to hold mould. This is a flaw but the mouldable mouthpiece is brilliant if like me you don’t have Hollywood teeth. Having a perfect fit means your snorkel is less likely to fall out (or be ripped out by XXXXXXXXX) and your teeth are less likely to be damaged by bite pressure.

You simply put it in 80C water (a cup with 1/4 cold water and 3/4 boiling water) for 10s, rinse it under the cold tap for a moment to remove the hot water an then bite on it for 90s. It will mold to your teeth and you can then remove the black lugs.

Mask

I need corrective lenses and I have bought the Tusa Integra mask (£93 + more for the prescription lens). Unlike the snorkel and mouthpiece is not disposable!

I have a clear silicone skirt because historically black silicone was prone to sun damage (I don’t know if this is still true) and after three year’s use in the pool a small amount of mould had built up under the lenses.

Taking apart the Tusa Integra mask was a joy. The precision engineered components ensured the process was safe and took only seconds. I cleaned the frame, lenses, and skirt with baby shampoo, let it dry and reassembled.

What was very impressive is that the mould had not got into the silicone. It just wiped off. I remain very impressed with this mask and I have bought it for my wife and adult children.

Waterpolo Swim Cap

Although I wash and bleach my swim cap it had got to the point where only the mould stains were holding it together. I got another from Decathelon.