How Do You Wash a Scuba Diving Wetsuit?

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Keeping your scuba diving wetsuit clean is more than just a chore; it's essential for its longevity and your comfort underwater. Saltwater, sand, and even pool chemicals can break down the neoprene over time, making your suit stiff, less flexible, and prone to damage. Knowing how to wash a scuba diving wetsuit correctly ensures it performs as it should, dive after dive.

Proper care involves a few key steps that protect the material and prevent issues like odors and mildew. Manufacturer specifications indicate that consistent rinsing and cleaning can significantly extend the functional life of a wetsuit. As of 2026, the best practices still revolve around gentle, frequent maintenance.

Quick Answer

Wash your scuba diving wetsuit immediately after use with cool freshwater. Use a mild wetsuit shampoo or baby shampoo in a tub for a deeper clean. Rinse thoroughly until all suds are gone.

Hang it to dry away from direct sunlight. Avoid hot water and harsh detergents.

Why Washing Your Wetsuit is Crucial

Wetsuits are made from neoprene, a synthetic rubber that provides insulation and flexibility. However, this material can be sensitive to the elements it encounters during dives. Regular washing isn't just about appearances; it's a preventative maintenance step that directly impacts the suit's performance and lifespan.

Ignoring this can lead to premature wear and tear, costing you money and potentially compromising your comfort and safety in the water.

Salt, Sand, and What They Do to Neoprene

Saltwater is highly corrosive and can dry out and degrade neoprene over time, making it brittle and less elastic. Think of it like leaving a metal object out in the sea air; it rusts. Similarly, salt crystals can form within the neoprene's cells, causing microscopic tears and stiffness.

Sand, especially if it gets into seams or zippers, acts as an abrasive, wearing down the material and potentially causing leaks. Manufacturer specifications consistently advise against letting saltwater dry on the suit.

The Problem of Odors and Mildew

After a dive, your wetsuit can harbor moisture, body oils, and bacteria. If not properly cleaned and dried, this creates a perfect breeding ground for mildew and unpleasant odors. These smells can be persistent and difficult to remove, making your wetsuit unpleasant to wear.

Furthermore, unchecked microbial growth can degrade the neoprene and the suit's internal lining over time.

Your Wetsuit Washing Workflow: Step-by-Step

Following a consistent washing routine is the most effective way to keep your wetsuit in great condition. This workflow addresses immediate post-dive needs and deeper cleaning requirements.

Step 1: Immediate Rinse – Your First Line of Defense

The absolute best thing you can do for your wetsuit is to rinse it with clean, freshwater as soon as possible after you exit the water. This removes the bulk of the salt, sand, and other contaminants before they have a chance to dry and set in. If you're at a dive boat or beach, look for a freshwater shower or hose.

• Turn the suit inside out: This allows you to rinse the inner lining where sweat and body oils accumulate.
• Rinse thoroughly: Pay attention to zippers, seams, and cuffs, as these areas can trap debris.
• If no freshwater is available: A good rinse with seawater is better than nothing, but make sure to do a proper freshwater rinse as soon as you can.

Step 2: The Deep Clean – Getting It Truly Fresh

When you get home, or if your wetsuit has seen a particularly dirty dive, it's time for a more thorough wash. This process targets lingering residues and odors that a quick rinse might miss.

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Choosing the Right Cleaner

Using the right cleaning agent is vital. Regular laundry detergents contain harsh chemicals that can strip the natural oils from neoprene, leading to brittleness and a shorter lifespan.

• Wetsuit Shampoo: These are specifically formulated to be gentle on neoprene while effectively breaking down salt, chlorine, and organic matter.
• Mild Baby Shampoo: If wetsuit shampoo isn't readily available, a small amount of mild, pH-neutral baby shampoo can be a suitable alternative.

Water Temperature Matters

Always use cool or lukewarm water for washing your wetsuit. Hot water can damage the neoprene, causing it to break down faster and lose its insulating properties. Water temperatures should ideally be between 20-30°C (68-86°F).

Step 3: Thorough Rinsing – Banishing All Residue

After washing, it's critical to rinse the wetsuit thoroughly to remove all traces of soap or shampoo. Any leftover cleaning agent can continue to degrade the neoprene over time.

• Drain and refill: Empty the wash tub or sink and refill with clean, cool water.
• Multiple rinses: Submerge the wetsuit and agitate it multiple times. Reach inside and outside to ensure no suds remain.
• Check the seams: Gently squeeze water through the seams to ensure no cleaning solution is trapped.

Step 4: Proper Drying – The Key to Longevity

How you dry your wetsuit is just as important as how you wash it. Incorrect drying can lead to damage, odors, and stiffness.

Where to Dry

The most critical rule is to keep your wetsuit out of direct sunlight. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun are highly damaging to neoprene, causing it to fade, crack, and lose its flexibility. Manufacturer specifications for neoprene-based products consistently warn against prolonged UV exposure.

• Shaded, well-ventilated area: Find a spot that is out of direct sun, such as indoors, under a covered patio, or in a shady spot outdoors.
• Good airflow: This helps the suit dry completely and prevents mildew growth.

How to Hang It

The way you hang your wetsuit impacts its shape and the integrity of the material.

• Use a thick, padded hanger: A specialized wetsuit hanger is ideal. These are wide and rounded to distribute the weight evenly across the shoulders, preventing stretching or creasing. Avoid thin wire hangers, which can cause shoulder damage and create permanent indentations.
• Hang inside out first: Start by hanging the wetsuit inside out until the interior is mostly dry. This allows any residual moisture to wick away from the lining.
• Flip to the outside: Once the inside is dry, flip the wetsuit right-side out and let the exterior dry completely. This ensures the entire suit is dry and prevents that damp smell from lingering.

Common Wetsuit Washing Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best intentions, some common slip-ups can sabotage your efforts to care for your wetsuit. Being aware of these pitfalls will help you protect your investment and keep it performing well for longer.

The Sunlight Trap

This is perhaps the most frequent and damaging mistake. People often hang their wetsuits to dry on a clothesline in their backyard, forgetting that even indirect sunlight can degrade neoprene. UV radiation breaks down the molecular structure of neoprene, leading to a loss of flexibility and premature cracking.

Manufacturer specifications for neoprene-based products consistently warn against prolonged UV exposure.

Over-Scrubbing and Harsh Chemicals

Treat your wetsuit gently. Aggressively scrubbing the neoprene or using abrasive materials can cause microscopic tears and weaken the material over time. Similarly, using anything other than a dedicated wetsuit cleaner or a very mild, non-detergent soap can strip the neoprene's essential properties.

Regular laundry detergents, bleach, and fabric softeners are particularly harmful and should always be avoided.

Improper Hanger Choices

While it might seem minor, the type of hanger you use can make a difference. Thin wire hangers concentrate the weight of the wet wetsuit onto a small area of the shoulder, which can stretch the neoprene out of shape. Over time, this can create permanent distortions and damage the suit's fit and seal around the neck and shoulders.

Investing in a wide, padded wetsuit hanger is a small cost for significant long-term protection.

Keeping Your Wetsuit Fresh Between Dives

If you're heading out for multiple dives over a few days or just want to maintain your wetsuit between longer breaks, a few quick steps can make a big difference. These actions prevent the build-up of salt and bacteria, keeping your suit in better condition and ready for your next adventure.

Quick Rinses: When Time is Limited

After each dive, even if you can't do a full wash, a quick freshwater rinse is incredibly beneficial. This is especially true if you're on a dive trip with back-to-back dives.

• Focus on the exterior: Turn the suit inside out if you have time, but if not, a thorough exterior rinse is still valuable for removing surface contaminants.
• Use available freshwater: Even a brief shower with cool water helps remove the most damaging elements like salt.
• Don't let it sit wet: If a full rinse isn't possible, at least hang the suit to allow it to air dry partially until you can properly wash it later.

Storing Your Wetsuit Safely

Proper storage is crucial for preventing damage and odors when your wetsuit isn't in use. Storing it incorrectly can lead to permanent creases and material degradation, shortening its usable life.

• Hang, don't fold: Always store your wetsuit hanging on a wide, padded hanger, similar to how you would dry it. Folding can create permanent creases in the neoprene, which can weaken the material over time and affect its seal.
• Cool, dry, and dark: Find a storage location that is away from direct sunlight, heat sources (like radiators or engines), and excessive moisture. A closet or a dedicated gear bag that allows for airflow can work well for this.
• Ensure it's fully dry: Never store a damp wetsuit. This is a fast track to mildew and that unpleasant, musty smell, which is a common complaint among divers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wetsuit Washing

How often should I wash my wetsuit?

You should rinse your wetsuit with freshwater after every single use. A deeper wash with wetsuit shampoo is recommended after every few dives, or immediately if the suit has been exposed to chlorine, heavy soiling, or if it starts to develop an odor.

Can I use my washing machine?

It's generally not recommended to machine wash a wetsuit. The agitation and spin cycles, along with harsh detergents typically used in washing machines, can easily damage the neoprene and seams. Hand washing in cool water is the safest and most effective method for preserving the material.

What's the best way to get rid of a bad smell?

If your wetsuit has a persistent odor, try soaking it in a solution of cool water and about one cup of white vinegar for 30 minutes before your regular wash. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer and disinfectant that helps break down odor-causing bacteria. After soaking, wash it as usual with wetsuit shampoo and rinse thoroughly.

Ensure it dries completely in a well-ventilated area.

Should I use fabric softener?

No, you should absolutely never use fabric softener on your wetsuit. Fabric softeners contain chemicals that can break down neoprene and clog its pores, reducing its flexibility and insulating properties. Stick to specialized wetsuit cleaners or mild baby shampoo for the best results.

Expert Tips for Maximum Wetsuit Lifespan

To get the most out of your wetsuit, consider these extra tips. These practices, rooted in material science and dive gear maintenance, help preserve the integrity of the neoprene and other components, ensuring it lasts for years.

• Inspect regularly: Before and after each wash, quickly inspect your wetsuit for any small tears, seam separations, or zipper issues. Addressing minor problems early can prevent them from becoming major repairs.
• Handle zippers with care: Zippers can be a weak point. Always rinse them thoroughly and consider applying a silicone-based lubricant or wax specifically designed for zippers if they start to stick. Avoid forcing a stiff zipper.
• Consider specialty cleaners: While mild baby shampoo works in a pinch, investing in a good quality wetsuit shampoo is worthwhile. These products are pH-balanced for neoprene and often contain conditioning agents that help maintain the material's suppleness.
• Rinse fins and other gear separately: Avoid washing your wetsuit with other dive gear like fins, masks, or BCDs unless they are specifically designed for it. Abrasive materials from other gear can damage the wetsuit.