How to Clean a Wetsuit?

Though it is necessary to keep you wetsuit clean but to find a clean wetsuit in your wardrobe you cannot toss it into the washer and dryer with other clothes. In order to use your wetsuit for a long time, you must know what a wetsuit is and how to clean a wetsuit.

Introduction to a Wetsuit

Wetsuits are popular among the surfers since 1950s when they have fascinated the lifestyle of the people in Hollywood. The wetsuits used today by divers, surfers as well as people interested n water sports are normally made from foamed neoprene. They are normally used to provide resistance from abrasion, resilience, and thermal insulation to the wearer. Today various types of wetsuits are available to be used in different temperatures due to the thickness of neoprene varying from 2mm to 8 mm. They can be designed differently like long, short, jackets, or vests and can be paired with neoprene gloves, hoods, or boots.

Purchasing the First Wetsuit

While buying your first wetsuit you should focus more on its size. It should neither be too tight nor too loose but it should fit snugly. The longevity of your wetsuit will be affected and it will face a wearing problem if it is too tight.

Neoprene Wetsuits

You should also know the ways to maintain your wetsuit. You should not scratch your wetsuit with your thumbnails or toenails as it can get punctured even if neoprene is a durable fabric. While putting on your wetsuit you should handle it carefully with your fingertips instead of nails.

While wearing pants with long legs you should first wear it over your feet and ankles then pull it gently on your legs up to hips. Similarly, you should insert your arms in the armholes or sleeves and pull it carefully to your neck and close the collar. While pulling up the zipper your shoulders should be straight. You should keep the collar flap flat so that Velcro on it should not rub the back.

You should follow the reverse process slowly and carefully while removing it.

You should put on the wetsuit away from trees, rocks, and sand in a dry and clean place to protect the fabric from damage. It will be easier to put it on and off if you wear a rash guard under the full wetsuit.

Tips for Cleaning and Caring of a Wetsuit

To clean and taking care for your wetsuit, you should follow the instructions provided here under:

• While cleaning the wetsuit you should use lukewarm or cold water instead of hot as hot water can affect the flexibility of neoprene. So, you should rinse wet suit in cold water before taking a hot shower while changing it in the shower.
• You should avoid washing wetsuit with other clothes in the washer
• To remove chlorine, organic elements, and salt from wetsuit you should use a special cleaning agent instead of harsh cleaners like bleach.
• Dry it by hanging away from direct sun and heat as neoprene can age faster and lose its flexibility in UV rays
• Instead of flimsy hangers, you should use specially designed padded and heavy hangers to hang or store your wetsuit
• Instead of stuffing or folding the wetsuit to store it in a drawer you should put it flat or hang on a hanger to avoid weakening its fabric
• You should often use a lubricant on the zipper to keep it working smoothly as its teeth can corrode with chlorine and salt
• You can remove odors from your wetsuit by dipping it in a bucket filled with a solution of odor remover and water. Then rinse the wetsuit thoroughly in cold water and dry it away from direct heat and the sun
• You should avoid ironing wetsuit as high heat can damage it
• While wearing a wetsuit you should avoid using gasoline, oil, aerosols or chemical solvents as it will be impossible to remove their stains from its fabric
• Last but not the least instruction for taking care of a wetsuit is to avoid folding it and storing it in a trunk. The exposure of the wetsuit to salt, chlorine and the sun can damage or weaken its fabric. So, before storing it you must take it out carefully and rinse it first to remove salt and chlorine form it as they can affect its flexibility.