Clean the vacuum pad with dish soap and a soft cloth or sponge. Ensure there's no dirt or debris on the sealing edge (the bottom outside edge of the vacuum pad). Check the sealing edge for nicks or cuts – a nick or cut can let air escape under the cup, and your SeaSucker won't maintain vacuum. If a vacuum pad has a nick or cut, it should be replaced. You should also regularly clean the vacuum pump, especially if it's exposed to saltwater or used in a dusty environment. To clean the pump, pull the plunger straight out of the pump cylinder. Clean the inside of the cylinder with dish soap and a soft cloth or paper towel. Ensure the cylinder is completely dry – any remaining water can make the pump emit a popping noise when pumped and might affect the check-valve function of the pump. Wipe the plunger clean, and apply a thin layer of silicone-based gel lubricant to the black rubber seal at the tip of the plunger. We use LubeTube brand lubricant for this purpose. Push the plunger back into the cylinder and pump it a few times to properly seat it and distribute the lubricant.