How do I wash my wetsuit?

Why is it important to wash your neoprene wetsuit ?

Diving without even worrying about wetsuit maintenance - but for how long?

Regular maintenance of your equipment is essential to keep your wetsuit in good condition and avoid having to replace it every year. Taking care of your wetsuit is essential for several reasons:

• Hygiene: the accumulation of salt, sand and perspiration can lead to unpleasant odors and the proliferation of bacteria.
• Durability: poor care can weaken the seams, making the neoprene less supple and reducing the life of the suit.

Steps to wash and care for your wetsuit

Rinsing after each use

After each session, rinse your wetsuit with fresh, cold water, inside and out, paying particular attention to the zippers. This removes salt, sand and other impurities that could degrade the neoprene.

Deep cleaning

From time to time, a more thorough cleaning is important:

1. Fill a basin with cold or lukewarm water (avoid hot water, which can damage neoprene).
2. Use a neoprene-specific cleaner or a mild, non-detergent soap.
3. Immerse the suit in water and rub gently to remove salt and perspiration residues.
4. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all traces of soap.

Drying

Turn the suit inside out and dry in the shade, hanging on a wide hanger to prevent warping.

Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight, as UV rays can damage the neoprene.

How long does it take to dry your wetsuit? Let's face it, wet suits often take a long time to dry. With this HangAir® Drying System hanger from Underwater Kinetics, you can dry your wetsuit completely in less than 24 hours, thanks to its built-in fan! 

You can also opt for a less sophisticated hanger that does the job just as well, such as the special hanger for wet or dry suits. 

Regular maintenance

1) Disinfection: once a month, disinfect your wetsuit with a suitable product to eliminate bacteria and prevent unpleasant odours.

You can opt for products from the Abyssnaut range, including SEPTIONE NEOPRENE disinfectant. Designed for the care of neoprene wetsuits and accessories such as gloves and booties, this product is used by soaking after dilution, followed by rinsing. Thanks to its bactericidal and fungicidal properties, it keeps your equipment fresh and supple.

2) Lubrication of zippers: apply a specific lubricant regularly to ensure optimal operation and prolong zipper life.

For this, we recommend Zipper Ease's Waterproof Zipper Wax. Simply apply the wax with several strokes of the stick. Open and close the zipper of your drysuit and you'll see the difference!

3) Storage: make sure the suit is completely dry before storing it in a cool, dry place away from direct light.

And that's all there is to it! By following these tips, you'll ensure that your wetsuit lasts longer and is as comfortable as possible during your dives. Happy diving!