How to clean your fencing mask

[Ms Epee]

The best way i have found to clean my fencing mask is put it in the dishwasher on low. I would be sure to check the settings on your dishwasher to make sure that you get the best clean for your mask[/COLOR]

[Lefty1]

That sounds like a wonderful idea Ms Epee i'll have to try that out somtime soon

[bwoodward]

I don't know this from personal experience, but I was told by someone from Triplette Competition Arms that the mask-in-the-dishwasher approach was a really BAD idea. It seems that the water seeps in to the areas covered by the vinyl, plastic, etc. and gets trapped for a while. This causes the covered wires and mesh to rust where you can't see it or do anything about it.

[Namir]

I don't know this from personal experience, but I was told by someone from Triplette Competition Arms that the mask-in-the-dishwasher approach was a really BAD idea. It seems that the water seeps in to the areas covered by the vinyl, plastic, etc. and gets trapped for a while. This causes the covered wires and mesh to rust where you can't see it or do anything about it.

Actually out of all my masks (two of which are tripplete, in fact) I havn't had this problem with this when i put them in the dish-washer. The trippletes normally take a bit longer to dry then my Uhalmann. But I do not ever notice water get traped in it.

[Slacker]

I never thought of using the dishwasher. If I had one I'd try it. I use a 2 gallon bucket and add a capful of Tide or Woolite and 1/4 cup ammonia and soak the mask awhile, then rinse it real well and hang it in the sun to dry. It's worked well for me- I hate the thought of wearing sweaty equipment!

[JEC]

I use the dishwasher using heavy wash cycle with heat drying. I squeeze the bib of water, and then use a hair blower to dry it.

[davtsung]

Get a sufficinet sized bucket, dunk the mask, and really squeeze the bib until you think it's purified, remove from aforementioned bucket and squeeze bib out one for time. Air dry till needed.

[Zara_athlen]

I never thought of using the dishwasher. If I had one I'd try it. I use a 2 gallon bucket and add a capful of Tide or Woolite and 1/4 cup ammonia and soak the mask awhile, then rinse it real well and hang it in the sun to dry. It's worked well for me- I hate the thought of wearing sweaty equipment!

Try to avoid using direct sun light to dry your mask. The sun's rays slowly destroys the material.

[Captain Jack Sparrow]

Hi
I just joined today. Thanks for all the tips on cleaning masks. I also hate using sweaty gear!
Captain Jack Sparrow

[evekog]

When you put the mask in the dishwasher, what cleaning product do you use? Dishwasher soap? Nothing? Something else?

I had also heard not to use the heat setting for drying because it ruins the elastic and the velcro (at least that's what's on my son's foil mask. I don't know what the other type of masks are like, if there is a difference.)

Thanks!

[Nolano]

either nothing or a dab of woolite or some other fabric detergent. I don't recommend using heat.

[TodG]

Just don't use dishwashing detergent.

[Displacement]

Try to avoid using direct sun light to dry your mask. The sun's rays slowly destroys the material.

That's what the sunscreen is for.

[aussiefencer]

i think the dishwasher idea is a great idea( i have not tryed it myself). but wouldnt it get rusty if some water seeps in?

[swordsen]

I have often used the dishwasher. It works just fine. Turn off the dry cycle or just pay attention and get it out before that starts. As for drying, I usually place it over the back of a chair and in front of a fan.

[Purple Fencer]

Try to avoid using direct sun light to dry your mask. The sun's rays slowly destroys the material.

IIRC, that concern is only in relation to Kevlar fabric.....which is no longer used. Direct sunlight does not do the same sort of damage to Dyneema or other current materials....and even THAT'S only on an FIE mask.

[InFerrumVeritas]

Eh, I just throw the bib and innards in the wash with the rest of my gear.

Oh, that's right, I use the X-Change mast because it's so much easier!

Anyway, I was always afraid of the dishwasher thing. At my old club, we used the trashcan/detergant and scrub brush approach for the club gear. For my old mask, it had a removable liner which I just washed then Fabreezed it. That was kind of gross, but worked quickly.

[SJCFU#2]

IIRC, that concern is only in relation to Kevlar fabric.....which is no longer used. Direct sunlight does not do the same sort of damage to Dyneema or other current materials....and even THAT'S only on an FIE mask.

UV radiation will break down Dyneema as well - which is why rope manufacturers use jackets or coatings to protect the fibers.

[Cookeit]

I put mine in the dishwasher and the tongue kind of melted..
But once it dried for awhile, the tongue stiffened up.

I still recommend dishwashing your mask.