Wetsuit washing: how to do it? Read our step-by-step plan!

Washing your wetsuit is part of the maintenance process and important for the life span. A wetsuit can be quite pricey at one time, so of course you want to maintain it properly in order to enjoy it for as long as possible. Maintenance is essential for a wetsuit.

An important part of the maintenance process is the washing your wetsuit. But how do you do it and what do you have to do to prevent damage? We would like to tell you more on this page and give you a few tips.

Why do I have to wash my wetsuit?

Washing a wetsuit is important to ensure that you can enjoy it for a long time. Over time, a wetsuit may start to smell because the water you swim, surf or surf in may not always be clean. So you want to prevent bad smells from lingering in the suit.

In addition, washing your wetsuit will benefit the life of your suit. It would be a shame if you had to replace your wetsuit after only a year. Therefore, take maintenance, including washing, seriously and do it regularly.

When should you wash a wetsuit?

Obviously, an important time to wash your wetsuit is after you have used it. This prevents bad smells from sticking to the suit. The next time you use it you will have a clean, fresh suit that you feel comfortable in.

Another important time to wash your wetsuit is before you store it. As soon as your wetsuit is stored in the closet, for example during the winter, it is a good idea to wash it thoroughly once more. This way you know for sure that you can put on your wetsuit after the winter without having to wash out all the bad smells.

How do you wash a wetsuit?

You can go to different ways to wash a wetsuit. The only question is which way is best for you and what you think is easiest. However you wash your wetsuit, make a habit of always doing this after use. This way you avoid bad smells and make sure your wetsuit lasts longer. There are a number of things you should keep in mind in order to prevent damage.

Please note: never put a wetsuit in the washing machine as it is not made for this purpose. The neoprene and the glued seams cannot withstand the warm temperatures of a washing machine, so the risk of damage is quite large.

In the shower

Washing a wetsuit in the shower is easy and quick, without any hassle. Take off your wetsuit, fold it inside out and take it into the shower. It is also possible to keep your wetsuit on, for example in the winter.

However, please note that you do not take too much sand with you. The pipes in our house are not made to carry large quantities of sand, but a little can't hurt. If necessary, use a soft brush to remove most of the sand beforehand.

Another point to consider when washing your wetsuit in the shower is the temperature. The neoprene and the glued seams are not made for high temperatures. So do not shower at temperatures above 30°C to avoid damage. Do you do this anyway? The quality of the seams can deteriorate and the neoprene can become stiffer.

In a washbasin or bathtub

Washing a wetsuit in a basin or bathtub is also quite simple. Put your wetsuit inside out in a basin or bathtub and fill it with cold/hot water. Then let the wetsuit soak until all water remains are removed.

Alternatively, you can use special shampoo for wetsuits to remove unpleasant odours. This ensures that you get a clean and fresh wetsuit back after washing. Only never use hot water as this will not benefit the seams and neoprene.

With a garden hose

What most people choose to do: wash a wetsuit with a garden hose. This is one of the most convenient ways to wash your wetsuit. Hang your wetsuit on a pipe or hanger and spray with the garden hose until all the water is out of the suit.

The wetsuit can also be placed in a tub of water, after which you can use the garden hose to clean it. Always do this with cold/hot water to preserve the life of your wetsuit.

Use wetsuit shampoo

Washing your wetsuit with shampoo every now and then is definitely recommended. You don't have to do this every time you use the wetsuit, just once in a while. Once you have used your wetsuit a number of times, it is possible that it will be affected by smells caused by the water.

• In this case, it is a good idea to give your wetsuit a good shampooing once in a while. Please note that you will need special shampoo developed for cleaning neoprene.

Fill a bucket or container with water and add the shampoo. Turn your wetsuit inside out and let it soak in the water for 7 to 10 minutes. After you have soaked it thoroughly, take it out and turn it right side out again. Afterwards, rinse all the shampoo residue out of the suit and your wetsuit will smell fresh and fruity again.

Wetsuit drying

You should be able to wash your wetsuit now, but how should you dry it? In order to make the best use of your wetsuit it is essential that you prepare yourself well for this step in the process. For example, make sure you have a special wetsuit hanger to dry your wetsuit. A normal hanger will stretch the neoprene at the shoulder as the suit is still wet and heavy.

Hang your wetsuit inside out on the wetsuit hanger. It is important that you let the inside dry properly first. Then turn the right side out again and let it dry again. It is good to know that you should never let a wetsuit dry in the sun as this causes the neoprene to age and lose its quality. So always leave your wetsuit to dry in the shade or in a shed.

In winter, you cannot dry a wetsuit outside or in a shed, as the ice formation can cause cracks in the suit. It is therefore wiser to dry your wetsuit in the bathroom in the same way as you would outside or in the shed.

Storing the Wetsuit after Washing

Now that it has become clearer how washing a wetsuit works, it is also good to know how you can best store it. Storing your wetsuit neatly and safely is essential for its lifespan and can prevent damage.

For example, do you put the wetsuit in a place where the temperature varies greatly during the day and night? Then the neoprene will suffer. Instead, it is wise to store your wetsuit in a place where the temperature is constant and a reasonable amount of air can get in.

Buy a Wetsuit at Watersports4fun

Are you still looking for a suitable wetsuit for your adventures on the water? Then be sure to check out our webshop. We offer a wide range of different wetsuits and different brands. You can choose from different models, sizes, thicknesses and colours.

Would you like to know more about a particular wetsuit or do you need personal advice? Please contact our customer service team. We will gladly help you find a suitable wetsuit that you can enjoy for years. You can reach us by email, phone or live chat.

Last updated on 07/02/2022