The best way to "de-stink" a wetsuit?

[Reeveseye]

Despite the fact that I always thoroughly hose off my wetsuit, soak it in fresh water overnight, then hose it again before hanging it up to dry, I’ve noticed a definite “funk” that seems to be sneaking into my suit and hood lately. I dive about twice a month, so it’s not like the suit is getting used every day and never has a chance to dry.

I’ve seen a product called “Sink the Stink” that claims to work when combined with the soaking water, but I’ve also had people at dive shops tell me that adding some Woolite to the soaking bath is just as good. Any opinions or tips about how to keep things smelling reasonably fresh?


P.S.: And yes, I shower on a regular basis – once a week on Sundays, whether I need it or not.

 

[ReefGuy]

Umm. Shower? I thought that was what diving was for?

 

[CBulla]

Hang it where it has circulating air to dry... if you can open it up some. Its the same funk as if you left your clothes in the washer for 2 days then remembered them.

Hehe ReefGuy! LOL

 

[Soggy]

Just pee in it more. I hear pee has antiseptic properties.

I hang my wetsuit inside out which seems to help a bit.

 

[randyjoy]

I use the Woolite for dark fabrics in the over-night soak and have no funk.

 

[TCDiver1]

"Sink the Stink" works great for handling the funky monkey, wet suit sydrome.

Keys to using it are; let your suit soak and get very saturated with the solution (agitation works great, i use part of a wash cycle on my washing machine), don't skimp on the amount you use (make the solution at least as strong as they recommend), and don't rinse the solution out of your suit.

Let your suit hang with the solution still dripping off it. If you rinse the solution out, it doesn't work well at all.

Happy de-stinkifying! Honestly ..... i wonder why anyone dives in the first place.

 

[ScottyK]

It helps if you hang it up inside out for a day or so first, then turn it right side out once it dries inside. This is how I've always dried my wetsuit, and it's never gotten stinky.

The peeing idea is very creative though.........

 

[pipedope]

Once a suit is stinky, use 'Sink the Stink'.

In normal diving use do not soak the suit. After the dive, rinse the suit and then hang it to dry as soon as possible. Also hang it so that air can move both outside and inside.

I use a unit that hangs my booties toe up and blows air through them so they also dry quickly.

My system works great in commercial diving where I am in soup (water you won't dive in ) daily. Only when I let the suit sit wet does it get stinky.

 

[SubMariner]

(agitation works great, i use part of a wash cycle on my washing machine),

How do you keep the suit from simply floating to the top of the water & not being agitated? I've tried the "load the suit up with big towels & zip it closed" trick, but that doesn't work particularly well.

 

[saltwater taffy]

It is bacteria that is causing the foul odor. What I suggest is that you soak the suit in water with a couple caps of Listerine in the water. That will kill any bacteria that is on the suit. Then air dry the suit and spritz the suit with Febreeze. This works for me everytime. It also helps if you put some Listerine in you booties.

Hope you are sweet smelling,
SWT