How to Clean a Wet Suit

A wet suit must be cleaned after each use to remove salt residue and organic material stirred up from the ocean, lake or river bottom. If they aren't removed, salt and organic matter can break down the fabric of a wet suit and cause odors.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Washing

Things You’ll Need:

Mild detergent Wet suit cleaning products Soft brush
Mild detergent
Wet suit cleaning products
Soft brush

Step 1

Spray your wet suit with fresh water after removing it, then soak it in a tub or bin until it can be thoroughly cleaned.

Step 2

Add a mild detergent such as dishwashing liquid or Woolite. Brush the suit with a soft brush to loosen and remove organic matter and body oils, or use Action Plus Aplus Wet Suit Shampoo, a product designed specifically for cleaning wet suits.

Step 3

Work the zippers repeatedly while soaking the wet suit to remove any material caught in them.

Step 4

Turn the wet suit inside out and repeat the previous steps.

Storage and Maintenance

Step 1

Hang up the wet suit to dry after cleaning it.

Step 2

Do not expose the wet suit to direct sunlight; ultraviolet radiation can damage the fabric.

Step 3

Apply a lubricant to protect the zippers and a fabric protectant to guard against ultraviolet radiation.

Tips & Warnings

Soaking your wet suit in minty mouthwash before hanging it up to dry or reusing it will offset lingering odors. If you will be using your wet suit repeatedly over a short period, do not hang it up to dry. Instead, continue soaking it until it is used again.

Soaking your wet suit in minty mouthwash before hanging it up to dry or reusing it will offset lingering odors.

If you will be using your wet suit repeatedly over a short period, do not hang it up to dry. Instead, continue soaking it until it is used again.

Don't store a wet suit in a car trunk or other confined space that may become heated by the sun. Heat can damage the seams.

Resources

Wetsuit Wearhouse

Article Written By Gary Olson

Gary Olson is a freelance writer, editor, photographer and designer with 34 years of experience. His work has appeared in such publications as Sailing, Northwest Living, 5280, The Arizona Republic, The Denver Post and many other newspapers and magazines. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota.

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