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How do you wash a wetsuit after use?

Author

James Craig

Published Jan 24, 2026

Materials: Water, pH neutral soap.

  1. Clear the wetsuit using fresh water to remove any excess salt water or chlorine.
  2. Apply a small amount of pH neutral soap to the wetsuit and gently rub the wetsuit panels.
  3. Rinse the neoprene to remove any remaining soap.

Should I wash wetsuit after use?

There are several things we can do to look after our wetsuit, especially after a strenuous surf session when all we want to do is relax and chill. The best way to prolong your wetsuit's life is by cleaning and washing it every time you use it.

How do you clean a wetsuit after use?

Most of the time, rinsing your wetsuit with fresh water and thoroughly drying it will keep your wetsuit fresh and odor free. But if your wetsuit gets smelly, wash your wetsuit in a tub of fresh, warm water (not hot). Use one of the special wetsuit soaps or a small amount of baby shampoo. Gently wash it by hand.

Can you put your wetsuit in the washing machine?

Washing machines damage neoprene so, if you must, do need to make sure you only use a slow spin cycle and a cool wash. Don't put anything else in with the wetsuit that could damage it whilst the machine is spinning. You will not be able to use standard washing powder as this is too harsh for neoprene.

How do you wash a wetsuit at home?

How to Clean a Wetsuit

  1. Get a wetsuit cleaner and a tub of cool water; then stir in the cleaner.
  2. Open all the wetsuit zippers, turn it inside out and submerge it.
  3. Knead the cleaner into the suit and let it sit for a while.
  4. Thoroughly rinse it with cool water and hang it up to dry.
18 related questions found

How do you wash a neoprene wetsuit?

Materials: Water, pH neutral soap.

  1. Clear the wetsuit using fresh water to remove any excess salt water or chlorine.
  2. Apply a small amount of pH neutral soap to the wetsuit and gently rub the wetsuit panels.
  3. Rinse the neoprene to remove any remaining soap.

How do you get urine smell out of a wetsuit?

Dunking wetsuits in a bucket of water with a cap-full of Dettol, Febreze, Woolite, or any mild fabric cleaner or deodorizer is one of these ingenious solutions. Just make sure you air dry the suit inside out before repeating the process, if necessary.

Can I put my wetsuit in the dryer?

Don't… Put your wetsuit in the dryer…. Drying your wetsuit in the dryer will not only ruin your suit, but it also voids the warranty. Simply don't do it!

Should I dry my wetsuit inside out?

Dry Your Wetsuit

Once you've rinsed both sides, you have to dry your wetsuit before putting it back away. If you don't give it time to dry, you'll trap moisture inside. This can lead to odors or even mold growth. Just like rinsing, you should dry both the inside and the outside of your wetsuit.

Can you soak a wetsuit overnight?

Wetsuits are intended to be just a bit moist throughout the neoprene when not in the water. Not wet, but not bone dry either. Giving the wetsuit a good soaking for a few hours will rehydrate it and will lessen the chances of dry, hard neoprene cracking or ripping when you use it again.

How often should I wash my wetsuit?

There is, however, a very simple way to avoid all that: wash your wetsuit. You don't even have to do this every time you surf—once a week will do just fine. But you should at least rinse it after each session, you smelly yeast beast.

Do you wear anything under a wetsuit?

Wetsuits are designed keep you warm without anything special worn underneath. Here's what most people do: Surfing & General Watersports: Most surfers and riders wear boardshorts or a swimsuit. It's easy, convenient, and flexible.

Do surfers pee in their wetsuits?

Scientists are aware you urinate in your wetsuit.

While many people feel like this is weird, it's completely natural. It's the norm amongst surfers – even if they don't all admit to it. As a waterman, you're experiencing a unique underwater phenomenon called immersion diuresis.

How long does a wetsuit take to dry?

Leave your wetsuit to hang overnight in your garage or shower to completely dry your wetsuit out. If you are planning on going back in the water and you know your wetsuit won't be dry in time, then use the 'speed approach' to drying your wetsuit. First you'll need a towel, the bigger the better. 1.

How do you take care of a wetsuit?

Top 5 Wetsuit Care Tips

  1. Freshwater Rinse After Every Session. If you do nothing else rinse your wetsuit with freshwater inside|out after every use. ...
  2. Dry Your Wetsuit in the Shade. ...
  3. Hang Up Your Wetsuit Correctly. ...
  4. Do Use an Occasional Wetsuit Shampoo. ...
  5. Take Care When Taking off Your Wetsuit.

How do you dry a wetsuit for camping?

We hang ours over the point - there's a velcro tab on the back of our wetsuits so that gives us a suitable hanging point when the wetsuit zip is open and the velcro tab shut. When we go out we hang them over the windbreak or the struts on our aluminium folding table.

Is it easier to put on a wetsuit wet or dry?

Unless you are clad in a skin suit, dive skin, or other skintight clothing that will allow the suit to slide easier, it is recommended that both you and your wetsuit be either wet or dry. The most difficult scenario is trying to wedge a wet body into a dry wetsuit, or to coax a damp wetsuit onto dry skin.

Why do divers pee in their wetsuits?

Peeing in Wetsuits Keeps Your Body Warm: LIE

Your body will be warmer for a while, but then the thermal sensation will make you colder, even, if you are in very cold waters, it can bring you closer to hypothermia.

What kind of soap can I use on my wetsuit?

There are some mild cleansing agents, such as “Sink the Stink” and “Trident Wetsuit Cleaner” that you can purchase from your local dive shop, but regular dish detergent will work just as well (read on to find out how to get rid of wetsuit smells on your own).

Why do surfers wear black wetsuits?

Black Provides Ultimate UV Protection

Neoprene, the type of rubber your wetsuit is likely made from, starts off as a milky white color. Carbon black is a key ingredient added, turning the rubber black to increase strength. It also provides heightened UV resistance for the same reason as heat absorption.

Do you wear a bathing suit with a wetsuit?

Wetsuits are also notoriously hard to put on and take off, which means it's typically not something you can do quickly and covertly behind a towel. Wearing a bathing suit, a thin rash guard, or any other type of garment underneath will help give you the coverage you need to avoid flashing other people as you change.

Are wetsuits worth it?

Owning a wetsuit is beneficial for everyone, from amateur to pro. Body heat is lost 20 times more in water than air due to the higher density, encouraging more conduction. So you don't have to be the world's biggest water enthusiast to feel the need to keep warm.

What does a girl wear under a wetsuit?

For women you can wear a sports bra and some sort of compression shorts, or you can wear a swimsuit. You do not want to wear something cotton-based which holds water because it will increase your chaffing. Also, do not wear underwear. Underwear will not dry out and will cause a sore saddle.

How do you wear a wetsuit for the first time?

The best way to put a wetsuit on is by putting in one foot at a time. Place your first foot inside, and carefully pull up the neoprene inch by inch. Don't rush and try to do it in one go, as you could risk damaging the wetsuit.