Wetsuit care - guide. The do's and don'ts

Training, nutrition and rest days are important, and looking after your gear is just as important. A wetsuit is a big investment. Here are a couple of tips to help ensure your wetsuit lasts longer, supporting you through your training schedule, race days and everything in between.

A few do’s and few don’ts to help make sure your wetsuit stays in top shape.

Washing

After every swim you need to give you wetsuit a quick wash. Use a hose, big bucket or shower to give it a rinse.

• Shake It Out: Before you rinse, give your wetsuit a good shake to remove any sand or debris. This prevents those tiny little items picked up along the way from scratching at the neoprene.
• Rinse it out: Pool, Ocean or Lake it doesn’t matter, give your wettie a quick freshwater cold water rinse after your swim. Saltwater, chlorine, and lake water can damage the neoprene over time.
• Don’t forget the inside: just like washing behind your ears!

DO NOT use Hot water. It can make neoprene less flexible and is more prone to causing damage.

NEVER EVER – put it in the Washing Machine: Whatever you do, do NOT do this. It will tear, it will become weak and damaged and ruin your wetsuit completely. 

Everyone once and a while, treat your wettie to a spa day.

Every once and a while give it a deeper clean. Only ever use specialised wetsuit shampoo. Massage the shampoo into the inner lining to wash away any grime or germs.  

• Only use a specific shampoo made for washing wetsuits and follow the product instructions for the best results. 
• Extra long rinse post shampoo: After washing, rinse your wetsuit thoroughly (with cool water as we said above) to remove all shampoo residues. 

DO NOT use hair shampoo as it may contain ingredients that can damage neoprene!

Drying

After ever wash your wetsuit needs to properly dry out. But it doesn’t go in the sun on the washing line.

 Inside out first: Always. Two reasons.

      1) The inside lining is usually the dampest part of your wetsuit so it needs more time to dry

      2) Putting on a dry wetsuit is always more fun than a wet one. 

     Don’t forget to dry the outside too – helps to prevent mold

     Hang time: Hang it either folded over at the waist or use a special wetsuit hanger 

     DO NOT dry in direct sunlight (causes damage to the neoprene). Or put it on a coat hanger, this will cause it to stretch.

     NEVER EVER Wring It Out, it’s not a towel. This can cause unnecessary stress and damage to the material. 

Storage

Always make sure it's completely dry before putting it away. Especially if don’t use it that regularly.

Fold Gently If hanging isn't an option, fold your wetsuit gently. Always hang from the waist or a special wetsuit hanger. Otherwise lay it flat and avoid sharp creases that can permanently mark the neoprene. 

Keep it cool and dry store your wetsuit in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. 

DO NOT: Store It Wet: Storing your wetsuit while it’s still wet can lead to mold. That’s not a situation you want.