How to Wash Wetsuit

Why Wetsuit Care Matters

Wetsuits are made from neoprene — a synthetic rubber that provides insulation and flexibility in cold water. Salt, chlorine, sunscreen, body oils, and UV exposure all degrade neoprene over time, causing it to stiffen, crack, and lose its insulating properties. Proper care after every use dramatically extends the life of a wetsuit that can cost hundreds of dollars.

Step 1: Rinse Immediately After Every Use

As soon as you're done in the water, rinse your wetsuit thoroughly with fresh, cool water — inside and out. This removes salt, chlorine, and sand before they have time to degrade the neoprene. Turn the wetsuit inside out and rinse the interior lining as well, where body oils and bacteria accumulate.

Never use hot water to rinse a wetsuit — heat breaks down neoprene and degrades the glued seams.

Step 2: Deep Clean with Wetsuit Wash

For a thorough clean after multiple uses or when odor develops, use a dedicated wetsuit cleaner like Nikwax Wetsuit Refresh. It cleans, conditions, and deodorizes neoprene without damaging the material:

1. Fill a bathtub or large basin with cool water
2. Add the recommended amount of Nikwax Wetsuit Refresh
3. Submerge the wetsuit and gently agitate by hand for a few minutes
4. Pay attention to the collar, wrists, and ankles where bacteria accumulate most
5. Rinse thoroughly with cool fresh water inside and out

Never Machine Wash a Wetsuit

Machine washing destroys wetsuits. The agitation tears neoprene, damages seams, and breaks down the glue that holds the suit together. Always hand wash only.

Step 3: Dry Properly — Shape Matters

How you dry a wetsuit is just as important as how you wash it:

• Never hang a wetsuit by the shoulders — the weight of the wet neoprene stretches and distorts the suit permanently
• Hang over a thick bar, a railing, or a wetsuit hanger folded at the waist
• Dry inside out first in the shade, then turn right-side out to finish drying
• Never dry in direct sunlight or near heat — UV and heat degrade neoprene rapidly
• Never put in a dryer

Step 4: Store Correctly

• Store hanging — never folded or rolled for long periods, which creates permanent creases in the neoprene
• Use a wide wetsuit hanger or hang folded at the waist over a thick bar
• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and ozone sources (like electric motors)
• Make sure the wetsuit is completely dry before storing to prevent mildew and odor

How to Remove Odor from a Wetsuit

Wetsuit odor comes from bacteria in the neoprene lining. Nikwax Wetsuit Refresh is specifically formulated to eliminate this odor while conditioning the neoprene. For a quick fix between deep cleans, soak in a diluted solution of water and white vinegar for 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

Quick Tips for Wetsuit Care

• Rinse immediately after every single use — never let salt or chlorine dry on the suit
• Always use cool water — never hot
• Pee in your wetsuit as little as possible — urine accelerates neoprene degradation significantly
• Use a wetsuit-specific lubricant on zippers to keep them functioning smoothly
• Inspect seams regularly and repair small tears early before they spread

Recommended Products

• Nikwax Wetsuit Refresh 1L — cleans, conditions, and deodorizes neoprene without damage
• babygoal Wet Dry Bags — transport wet wetsuits without soaking your gear bag