Washing a Wetsuit

[tbone1004]

mine goes in the washing machine, just make sure you don't have an agitator

 

[CT Sean]

Another member of the "rinse and hang and occasionally sink the stink" crowd. I've been wearing, and peeing in, my suits for years and they still smell like nothing but neoprene.

 

[outofofficebrb]

Another member of the "rinse and hang and occasionally sink the stink" crowd. I've been wearing, and peeing in, my suits for years and they still smell like nothing but neoprene.

Is this like when your fart smells fine to you but it is offensive to someone else?

I'm teasing!

 

[Zef]

Here in Belgium the local diving is mostly fresh water so not too much of a need to really wash the wetsuit especially if you don't pee in it. The dirt parking lots are often muddy from rain or from the wetness of the wetsuit which can cause the suit to become dirty if not careful when taking it off after a dive. When this happens we throw the suits, a couple at a time, in the front load clothes washer on gentle cycle with a touch of wool-lite detergent. The suits then are laid out on the back terrace or on the tiles in the sun room....turning over after a few hours and then turning inside out to ensure it drys before hanging on a rack in the garage.

-Z

 

[wheeledgoat]

+1 for a little bit of Woolite on gentle cycle in the front load washing machine.
Then we hang them to dry, inside out.

I made some wetsuit hangers by slipping pool noodles onto coat hangers... they work fantastically.

 

[hilljo88]

i put very diluted scented Lysol in bath tub with luke warm water and gear. Dry in garage for a day or so inside out, then another day right side out.

 

[Chad S]

Thank you for all the great information.

I did find some instructions on if you do want to use a washing machine:
How to Wash A Wetsuit in A Washing Machine? - Aqua Zealots

 

[RockiesFan]

I like baby shampoo. Once in a blue moon in the washer I put diluted vinegar in.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I always liked wetsuit shampoo. Oh, and as someone who worked at a dive shop for several years and washed thousands of rental suits I can attest that pee does not rinse out during the dive. Some suits had to soak in shampoo for a very long time.

 

[KeithG]

Thank you for all the great information.

I did find some instructions on if you do want to use a washing machine:
How to Wash A Wetsuit in A Washing Machine? - Aqua Zealots

Lots of uninformed bad information in that link. Please ignore.

I think it helps to take a step back and understand why neoprene was invented. The last 2 things that will survive a nuclear holocaust is neoprene and cockroaches:

From wikipedia Neoprene - Wikipedia
Applications
General
Neoprene resists degradation more than natural or synthetic rubber. This relative inertness makes it well suited for demanding applications such as gaskets, hoses, and corrosion-resistant coatings. It can be used as a base for adhesives, noise isolation in power transformer installations, and as padding in external metal cases to protect the contents while allowing a snug fit. It resists burning better than exclusively hydrocarbon based rubbers, resulting in its appearance in weather stripping for fire doors and in combat related attire such as gloves and face masks. Because of its tolerance of extreme conditions, neoprene is used to line landfills.

Bottom line is that neoprene was invented to be the cockroach of textiles.