One of the most frequently asked questions by divers in scuba equipment maintenance forums is “how do I get rid of that foul odor from my wetsuit?”
Wetsuits by design were not made to function like cotton or fabric outerwear that breathes well in the open air. Neoprene contains tiny bubbles that trap the air inside the wetsuit and insulate the diver against the elements. This same quality that makes neoprene effective as protective-wear however also traps sweat, urine, bacteria and all kinds of things that make keeping your wetsuit odor free a constant challenge.
featured above is Aqua “Sink The Stink” 4 oz. Bottle available at Leisurepro.com
If your wetsuit stinks above average, the smell is usually because you left your wet wetsuit in a closed environment such as a bag or bin for a while and did not wash it right away after use. Wetsuits need to be aired out completely after a wash; otherwise the water trapped inside the neoprene stagnates and becomes stinky. The smell is also the result of a normal sweat, body oils and odors that our bodies produce. Remember, Scuba Diving, snorkeling or any kind of water sport causes us to sweat a lot, and this gets trapped inside your wetsuit. All of the above are breeding grounds for the bacteria, which are the cause for that smell bad in your wetsuit.
The other reason for that terrible odor in a wetsuit is often caused by going pee-pee in your wetsuit. Urine leaves the worst smell of them all and is very difficult to get rid of.
featured above is the 200 ft Viz Wetsuit and Bcd Odor Eliminator 4 oz.
But all is not lost; there are several solutions to removing wetsuit odor whatever their source. Some tried and tested non-commercial remedies include using a cap-full of Dettol, Febreze, Woolite or any mild fabric cleanser/deodorizer in a bucket of water to dunk your wetsuit in. Ensure the suit is air dried inside out completely, before repeating the process if necessary. A better option would be to purchase one of the several commercially available wetsuit shampoos and deodorizers that do a fantastic job of eliminating that stink. 200ft Viz has a great wetsuit and BCD odor eliminator, and so has McNett with its Wetsuit & Drysuit shampoo and MiraZyme odor eliminator.
featured above is the McNett MiraZyme Odor Eliminator
McNett Mirazyme Odor Eliminator available at Leisurepro.com is perhaps the most effective solution as it is a powerful blend of natural enzymes and microbes used to remove odors caused by mold, mildew and bacteria. To remove residual odors and bacteria from your wet suit, add 2 capfuls (1/2 oz) of MiraZyme to the tub, and dunk in your wetsuit and hang it to dry without rinsing it out. Mirazyme works its magic, consuming organic matter such as hair, mold, mildew, as well as algae, bacteria, pollution, waste matter and urine, leaving your suit odor-free.
