razorbackdiver
Contributor
I know there are commercial wet suit shampoo's but I was wonder if there was cheaper common household cleaner the would work just as well such as liquid dishwashing soap?
Wet suit maintenance
- Thread starter razorbackdiver
- Start date
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RonFrank
Contributor
A lot of folks use Baby Shampoo.
To kill bacteria:
Sink the Stink
Simply green
Baking Soda - never have used this so no idea if it works
Listerine
There are all sorts of wetsuit products, some are expensive and they likely all work.
I would stay away from carpet shampoo and other commercial cleaners. They are not really made to be next to our skin and chances of causing skin irritation is factor.
To kill bacteria:
Sink the Stink
Simply green
Baking Soda - never have used this so no idea if it works
Listerine
There are all sorts of wetsuit products, some are expensive and they likely all work.
I would stay away from carpet shampoo and other commercial cleaners. They are not really made to be next to our skin and chances of causing skin irritation is factor.
I wash mine in the shower with me and hang them dry. If they end up really stinky, I throw them in the washing machine on a gentle cycle with the same laundry soap I use for my clothes. So far the longest a wetsuit has lasted (and is still being used) is about 11 years. Last year it did get a tiny tear in the neck, but nothing dramatic.
GrumpyOldGuy
Contributor
I use a shot of generic pine cleaner. To be rather frank, the only reason I need any cleaner is I pee in my suit, so using a weak solution of bathroom cleaner made sense this is close to its designed for purpose.
OP
razorbackdiver
Contributor
Thanks for the advice. The money I save on shampoo can be spent on Nitrox.
soltari675
Contributor
I use a little woolite which works great
And don't overlook the value of a good long soak. After rinsing with a hose, I soak all neoprene in a 35 gallon plastic trash can I fill with fresh water, for 24 hours. I dump the water on the lawn ( multiple use conservation).
DivemasterDennis
DivemasterDennis
I am with Dennis on this...my suits get thrown in a tub of water and rinsed that way...water is recycled on the lawn.
I've never used any type of cleaner and my suits don't have a oder. My suits are in use about 6 days a week almost every week in every condition you can conceive of.
Maybe it is because my gear is in use all the time it doesn't have a chance to build an oder but I don't remember my suits smelling back when I was only wet once or twice a week.
And fresh water is a bit cheaper then the "sink the stink" products.
I've never used any type of cleaner and my suits don't have a oder. My suits are in use about 6 days a week almost every week in every condition you can conceive of.
Maybe it is because my gear is in use all the time it doesn't have a chance to build an oder but I don't remember my suits smelling back when I was only wet once or twice a week.
And fresh water is a bit cheaper then the "sink the stink" products.
Last edited:
Buy a big commercial rubbermaid garbage can, like the 10gal Brute. Fill it with water and rinse your gear in that.
Wet suit should go in the rinse last since it's probably covered in "biohazards".
At the very end you can quickly hose off the problem areas of your wetsuit, rub a wetsuit cleaner onto the suit, then rinse thoroughly in the can.
I've never used a wetsuit cleaner personally, but the only thing that really reeks is my swimsuit. That goes into a hot sink rinse and problem solved.
Wet suit should go in the rinse last since it's probably covered in "biohazards".
At the very end you can quickly hose off the problem areas of your wetsuit, rub a wetsuit cleaner onto the suit, then rinse thoroughly in the can.
I've never used a wetsuit cleaner personally, but the only thing that really reeks is my swimsuit. That goes into a hot sink rinse and problem solved.
soltari675
Contributor
I should note, if you do decide to put it in the washer, only do so in a front loader machine. Not one that agitates. And put it on delicate cycle. I wash it like this once with woolite and once without soap to make sure it is rinsed through.
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