How to Wash a Wetsuit

Wetsuits are used in a variety of water sports, including SCUBA and surfing. Made of skin-tight neoprene, wetsuits are designed to trap a thin layer of water against the user's skin, where it can be warmed by body heat. Because water is much more efficient at drawing away body heat, a wetsuit may be necessary even on warm days. Wetsuits can come in many forms, from full-body suits with booties to shorty suits designed to keep body heat close to the core. However, every wetsuit model requires careful maintenance and cleaning to ensure performance.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Wetsuit Bathtub Hose Hanger Wetsuit detergent
Wetsuit
Bathtub
Hose
Hanger
Wetsuit detergent

Step 1

Take off the wetsuit while on concrete or grass. One of the easiest ways to fill your wetsuit with gunk is to remove it while standing on sand. This will ensure that every bit of sand on your feet will wind up deep in your wetsuit, making it that much harder to clean.

Step 2

Rinse the suit with cold freshwater. Use a hose to rinse off every inch of the wetsuit's exterior. It is important to do this quickly, as saltwater should not be given a chance to dry and damage the neoprene.

Step 3

Turn the suit inside out and rinse it again. Make sure to rinse along seams and in areas where sand is likely to build up. Rinse the armpits and other sweaty areas.

Step 4

Fill your bathtub with lukewarm water and add a capful of wetsuit detergent, which can be found at most dive shops. Agitate the wetsuit in the water for a full two minutes, then allow it to sit in the detergent for an additional 10. Finally, rinse the suit again in cold water.

Step 5

Dry the suit in the dark. Sun and heat are two of the most damaging elements that can be applied to a wetsuit. Hang the wetsuit on a broad hanger (avoid using wire hangers to prevent creases in the neoprene) and leave it to dry in a dark, cool room.

Tips & Warnings

Never use an iron or dryer on a wetsuit

Resources

Surfing Forums

Article Written By Louie Doverspike

Based in Seattle, Louie Doverspike has been a professional writer since 2004. His work has appeared in various publications, including "AntiqueWeek" magazine, the "Prague Post" and "Seattle Represent!" Doverspike holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Hamilton College.

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