How to clean a wetsuit
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Introduction
If you want to learn how to clean a wetsuit the proper way, then I’ve got you covered. These are general instructions that apply to most wetsuits- to be sure they apply to your wetsuit you need to read the label on your wetsuit. Cleaning your wetsuit properly and regularly will increase its lifespan and save you money since you won’t need to replace it as often.
You need to give your wetsuit a light clean after every surf session, and a deep clean after every 5th use or so. Keep on reading to learn exactly what steps you need to take for each cleaning method, and what you should absolutely avoid to ensure your wetsuit is not harmed during the cleaning process.
Disclaimer: Read the washing instruction label on your wetsuit
One important thing to note is that the washing instructions can vary depending on the wetsuit. This is a general guide that applies to the majority of wetsuits out there, however I recommend that you read the label on your wetsuit to see if there are any specific instructions you need to follow for your wetsuit in particular.
Why you should clean your wetsuit regularly
Wetsuits are not cheap, and that gives you a good reason to properly care for them. Saltwater, sand and dirt degrade the neoprene in your wetsuit and destroy zippers, glue and stitching.
Cleaning your wetsuit on a regular basis helps prolong its lifetime so that you can use it for longer. If you don’t clean your wetsuit regularly, there is a significantly higher risk of it shrinking, and holes and tears developing. It can also lead to the zippers not working smoothly, getting stuck when you try to get in or out of your wetsuit. This can be very frustrating when you’re getting changed in cold conditions and just want to get out of your wetsuit quickly to go and warm up- trust me, I’ve been there.
Not only does cleaning your wetsuit properly and regularly give it a longer lifetime- it also keeps it fresh and less stiff and smelly, making it more comfortable to use.
How often should you clean your wetsuit?
Give it a light clean after every surf session
You should clean your wetsuit after every surf session, as soon as possible after you get out from the surf.
Give it a deep clean every 5th use or so
Every now and then you should also give your wetsuit a more proper clean- a deep clean as I call it. How often you should do the deep clean depends on how often you use your wetsuit. A good indicator for when it’s time to deep clean it is when it starts smelling or gets a bit stiff. Otherwise, a good rule of thumb is to give it a deep clean every 5th use or so- or more frequently if you have the time- to keep it in good condition.
How to take off your wetsuit to avoid getting it dirty
Avoid getting your wetsuit dirty when taking it off. As I mentioned earlier in this guide, dirt can damage your wetsuit. When getting out of my wetsuit, I personally use a spare yoga mat I happened to have at home. You can also use a towel, a plastic tub or a wetsuit changing mat bag.
What is beneficial about a plastic tub is that if you have access to fresh water, you can fill up the tub with water and rinse your wetsuit right after your surf session which is ideal- rinsing your wetsuit as soon as possible helps remove dirt, salt, and sand before they have a chance to damage the wetsuit too much.
If you don’t have access to fresh water right after your surf, I recommend a wetsuit changing mat bag. You can stand on them to get changed and drop your wetsuit on, and they conveniently turn into a bag when you pull the drawstrings, keeping your wet and salty wetsuit contained until you can rinse it properly.
How to clean a wetsuit after every surf session (light clean)
1. Rinse the outside
When it comes to how to clean a wetsuit after your surf sessions, you should start by rinsing the outside of the wetsuit in cold or lukewarm fresh water (do not use warm water), removing all salt, sand and dirt. Rinse it thoroughly in a plastic tub, the bathtub or even the shower. Be careful so that you don’t rinse down a lot of sand and dirt in the drain as it can clog or damage the pipes.
2. Rinse the zippers
Open all zippers and rinse them thoroughly. Make sure no salt, sand or dirt is stuck in the zippers.
3. Rinse the inside
Turn the wetsuit inside out and wash the inside of the wetsuit thoroughly.
How to clean a wetsuit every 5th use or so (deep clean)
1. Rinse the wetsuit from dirt
When it comes to how to clean a wetsuit more deeply, start by rinsing the inside, outside and zippers of the wetsuit thoroughly in cold or lukewarm fresh water to get rid of dirt. Do not use warm water.
2. Fill a tub with water and add special wetsuit cleaner
Fill a plastic tub or a bathtub with cold or lukewarm fresh water. Add a special wetsuit cleaner, following the dosage instructions on the product label. You can buy them from most surf shops or even on Amazon. The Impresa wetsuit cleaner is a popular choice among surfers. Make sure the wetsuit cleaner you buy is not harmful to your wetsuit by reading the washing instructions on your wetsuit label first.
3. Knead the wetsuit and let it sit in the tub
Put the wetsuit in the tub and lather it with the wetsuit cleaner. Gently knead and dunk it to loosen and remove any dirt, salt, and sweat that may have built up. Focus a bit extra on areas that might need extra care, like the underarms, neck, and cuffs, where dirt tends to accumulate more. Let the wetsuit soak in the tub for a few minutes unless the instructions on the bottle say otherwise.
4. Rinse the wetsuit from the wetsuit cleaner
Lastly, rinse the inside, outside and the zippers from the wetsuit cleaner with fresh and cold or lukewarm water (avoid warm water).
What to avoid
- Avoid getting your wetsuit dirty when taking it off. You can use a towel, a plastic tub or a wetsuit changing mat bag when taking it off to avoid getting it dirty.
- Don’t clean your wetsuit before reading the washing instructions on the wetsuit label and the wetsuit cleaner instructions.
- Avoid using cleaning products that aren’t specifically designed for wetsuits. Instead, use a special wetsuit cleaner like this one.
- Don’t clean your wetsuit in warm water.
- Don’t use a washing machine or tumbling machine to clean or dry your wetsuit.
Drying and storing instructions
Drying and storing your wetsuit correctly are also important parts of caring for your wetsuit and extending its lifespan. That’s why I have also written two separate guides on drying and storing wetsuits. Learn how to dry your wetsuit in this article, and learn how to properly store your wetsuit in this article.
Quiz: test your knowledge
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