How to Wash a Wetsuit
Divers, swimmers and surfers use wetsuits to keep their skin warm and dry while submerged in cold water. Proper, regular cleaning of a wetsuit is essential to avoid interference with the suit's wicking and insulating abilities. With a few easy steps, wearers can remove salt, debris and dirt from the neoprene fabric to preserve the integrity of their wetsuits.
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Things You'll Need
- Bathtub
- Baby shampoo
- Wetsuit cleaner
- Wooden coat hanger
- Fine-mesh bathtub drain strainer
Instructions
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1
Place a fine-mesh bathtub drain strainer (available at most drug stores) in the bathtub drain. Remove the drain plug and position the strainer on top of the drain opening.
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2
Fill the bathtub with lukewarm water.
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3
Add two capfuls of baby shampoo to the water.
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Add one capful of wetsuit cleaner to the water.
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5
Submerge the wetsuit completely in the bath water.
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Allow the wetsuit to soak in the bathwater for two to three minutes.
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7
Move the wetsuit sideways in the water, using your hands to slough off any sand or salt.
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8
Dunk the wetsuit several times, moving it vertically in the water.
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9
Turn the wetsuit inside out and dunk it in the water while clearing debris away with your hands.
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10
Drain the bathtub, allowing the fine-mesh drain strainer to collect loose particles of sand and sea salt.
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11
Run lukewarm water in the bath to rinse the wetsuit.
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12
Remove the wetsuit from the bathwater and shake off excess water from the suit.
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13
Slip the wooden coat hanger into the top of the wetsuit and hang it to air-dry for two to eight hours, until the suit is dry to the touch.
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14
Empty the drain strainer into the garbage after the bathtub has drained.
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Tips & Warnings
Neoprene gloves and booties can also be cleaned with this method. Hang wetsuits to dry indoors or in the shade to avoid damage from sunlight. The air-drying process varies greatly depending on the size and thickness of the wetsuit.
Never place a wetsuit in an automatic clothes dryer. Never dry a wetsuit on an electric or gas radiator.
