How To Keep Your Wetsuit Clean And Make It Last Longer

A good scuba diving wetsuit can be a significant investment. However, just like other scuba equipment, it can last for many years if you look after it well. Here are six steps to clean and care for your scuba wetsuit as recommended by our PADI instructors.

It’s important that you follow these steps right from the start, and then again after every saltwater dive in order to keep your wetsuit in great condition for many more diving adventures to come.

1. Soak your suit in freshwater

After each dive, soak your wetsuit in cold or lukewarm freshwater as soon as you can. Don’t use hot water, as it can cause your suit to lose its flexibility. You can use a mild solution of baking soda or special wetsuit shampoo. Using a mild detergent will keep the neoprene from taking on an odour. Soak your suit for about 30 minutes, then turn the suit inside out to soak for another 30 minutes.

2. Scrub your wetsuit

While soaking your suit, pull the zipper up and down to remove any dirt that may have gotten trapped in it. Scrub all zippers and velcro patches with a nail or toothbrush to remove any sand, dirt or other debris. Continue to clean until all zippers operate smoothly.

3. Rinse your wetsuit

After you have soaked your wetsuit for a while, give it a thorough rinse with fresh, cool water to remove any cleaning product.

4. Inspect your suit for damage

Look for tears or gouges, especially along the seams. If necessary, resew the nylon with heavy polyester thread, or repair the neoprene with wetsuit cement. Fix any small damages as soon as possible. The longer you leave them, the higher the chance they will turn into a larger problem.

5. Hang your wetsuit out to dry

Turn the wetsuit inside out, and hang it on a flat hanger. Outside in fresh air is always best, however, keep it out of direct sunlight. When one side is dry, turn it right-side-out and repeat.

6. Store it in a cool dry place

Store your wetsuit on a hanger to keep it in shape, or loosely folded. Make sure to keep it in a place where the temperature is consistent and outside of direct sunlight.

In need of a new wetsuit?

Come and visit our Bundaberg Dive Centre for all your scuba diving needs! Here at Turtle Town Scuba, we have everything you need to make your next scuba dicing adventure a hit.