Wetsuit in washing machine?

[chillyinCanada]

Quoting BARE: "The wetsuit should be periodically washed with mild detergent either by hand or on the delicate cycle in washing machine."

And that is what I do. Then let the rinse do its work and remove wetsuit before the spin cycle. Hang to dry.

 

[kdlv]

I soak mine in clean water after dive trip to get rid of any salt residue after a long dive trip abroad. Then wash them in the washing machine (front load with big drum). 20 deg C water, couple of rinses, no softener, just ordinary liquid detergent used for rest of laundry. Slow spin (something like 300-400rpm -> lowest my wash machine supports. Then let it dry away from sunlight.

If i just travel for a couple of dives nearby over several weeks, I tend to soak it only and let it dry. If I go to Egypt or somewhere else on a dive trip, then I use the washing machine.

2 years later, none of my wetsuits have any signs of wear and tear. And they smell nice

 

[rmssetc]

Hear me out:

Front loader, cold wash, no soap, gentle cycle, low spin speed setting.

Is this still a bad idea?

If you're going to do this:

1. I suggest putting the suit in a mesh bag, like:

(Huh....the link seems to have been replaced with...nothing). I was suggesting a bag like:

That will keep the arms and legs from twisty excessively.

2. Let us know how it went

 

[wnissen]

I bought a used wetsuit in pretty good condition. It has lasted something like 90 dives, about ready to replace. Most of the time I just soak it per the manufacturer's (Aqualung) instructions, but maybe every 20 dives or so I'll stick it in on gentle with a bit of the discontinued O'Neil wetsuit soap. Doesn't seem any more violent than what I do while donning and doffing and diving.