A wetsuit seems like a rather simple piece of equipment to take care of, which is true, if you take proper care of it that is. Many wetsuit owners have asked us what the average lifespan on a wetsuit is, and there is only one answer; it depends on how good care do you take of it. A wetsuit that is rinsed well and aired out properly after use, and stored correctly when not in use, will last you several years. Here are some wetsuit care do’s and don’ts that will help increase the life of your neoprene garments.
Don’t wash your wetsuit with Hot Water
Neoprene expands in hot water and loses some of the flexibility, so it is best not to soak your wetsuit in hot water when rinsing it off after use. Many Scuba Divers after a cold water dive jump straight into a hot shower with their wetsuits on, which can drastically reduce the life of your suit. Resist the urge and take off that wetsuit before you shower.
Keep your wetsuit out of the Sun
Do not leave your wetsuit to dry out in the sun. The sun is the neoprene worst enemy, well actually it is the UV rays of the sun that cause neoprene to age much quicker lose its color and gets hard. Most wetsuits are black or darker colors that absorb the heat of the sun much quicker, which also causes the neoprene to lose its flexibility. While it is tempting to quickly dry off your wetsuit in the sun, always dry it in the shadow if you can.
Always hang your wetsuit to dry Inside out
When you emerge from the water, don’t stuff your wetsuit into a plastic bag or in the back of your car trunk. This will cause your wetsuit to stink, or even worse bake in the trunk. Hang your suit out to dry remembering to turn it inside out. This helps keep the flexibility of the outer side and if the wetsuit and protects the outer layer from damage and fading.
Never wash your wetsuit in a Washing Machine
While it is tempting to throw in your smelly wetsuit into a washing machine, remember that neoprene is a kind of rubber and is not to be washed inside a washing machine. Washing detergents and chemicals can attack the rubber, hot water causes it to lose flexibility and the tumbling will simply reduce the life of your wetsuit. Don’t even think about putting your wetsuit in a dryer!
Don’t even Try Ironing a wetsuit
While it may seem like common sense, you’ll be surprised how many people have tried ironing their wetsuits. All wetsuits come with the standard instruction never to iron it, as once again the rubbery neoprene will melt and burn through your wetsuit.
Don’t use Bleach
You should never use bleach on your wetsuit, it will attack the neoprene causing it to fade and lose its flexibility. Once again we know how tempting it is to tip in that cap full of bleach into that bucket, to try and get rid of that funky smell. Try using commercially available wetsuit shampoos that are designed to be friendly with the fabric.
Sink that Stink!
Wetsuits have the tendency to get rather funky, especially if left wet in a plastic bag or not aired out immediately after use or rinsed properly. Read our Aquaviews article on how to get rid of wetsuit odors to get tips on how to sink the stink.
