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How to Clean Wetsuits

How to Clean Wetsuits
Whether you're spending the days ripping up the surf or the rapids, a wetsuit can help keep you warm and motivated all day long. However, the build-up of bacteria, sweat, dirt and sand can lead to a very unpleasant odor. Eventually the build up can damage your wetsuit or skin. You need to thoroughly wash your wetsuit with a mild detergent to keep yourself healthy and clean, and extend the life of your suit. A clean wetsuit will also keep your friends from turning up their noses when they smell you coming near.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • Wood or plastic hanger Warm water Wool-lite Listerine Soft scrub brush
  • Wood or plastic hanger
  • Warm water
  • Wool-lite
  • Listerine
  • Soft scrub brush
Step 1
Hang your wetsuit on a wood or plastic hanger in your shower or outside on your deck or patio. Make sure the legs aren't touching the ground.
Step 2
Turn on the warm water and hose down the suit thoroughly until any remains of salt, weeds, sand and other grime are visibly removed.
Step 3
Turn your wetsuit inside out and hose it down a second time. Make sure any folds or gaps are smooth and sufficiently rinsed out.
Step 4
Fill your tub or a large bucket full of warm, clean water. Add some Wool-lite detergent. You can also add a cap of Listerine mouth wash to eradicate any built-up bacteria and keep your suit smelling fresh and clean.
Step 5
Let the suit soak for a few hours.
Step 6
Pull the wetsuit zippers up and down while you're soaking it. Occasionally work the detergent through with your hands and turn it inside out to soak for another few hours. A soft kitchen cleaner brush can also help work the detergent into the suit.
Step 7
Rinse out your wetsuit to remove all the detergent and turn it inside out to rinse the other side. Check to see that the suit is no longer collecting bubbles around the edges of the legs and arms.
Step 8
Hang your wetsuit in a warm room to thoroughly dry. If you had difficulty removing all of the soap while rinsing, go ahead and rinse it again to ensure all the suds are rinsed away. Hang it to dry for a final time for your next trip on the water.

Tips & Warnings

 
If you still feel like your wetsuit is holding onto dirt, sweat and bacteria, try Mirazime enzyme wetsuit cleaner.
 
Don't leave your wetsuit in the sun to dry. UV rays can damage the material. Leaving your wetsuit in a hot trunk to dry can weaken the seam glue.
 
Don't leave your wetsuit in the sun to dry. UV rays can damage the material.
 
Leaving your wetsuit in a hot trunk to dry can weaken the seam glue.

Article Written By Contributing Writer

Write for Trails.com

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