Can You Machine Wash Wetsuits
The shelf-life of your wetsuits highly depends on how you take care of them. Proper care and maintenance of a wetsuit will make it last for a couple of years. If you just bought your first wetsuit and are wondering can you machine wash wetsuits, you are in the right place.
Avoid machine washing your wetsuits because they tend to get damaged and lose elasticity after hot washes. The neoprene material most times mixed with spandex to increase elasticity can easily get damaged during a washing cycle. Most importantly, never spin-dry your wetsuits, the hot air damages neoprene and spandex losing elasticity and leaving your wetsuit very brittle and rigid.
There are some people who prefer washing their wetsuits in a washing machine. In such a scenario only use cold water and use the gentle cycle.
Regularly washing your wetsuit in the washer increases its degradation process. You will notice that after a few months the wetsuit is already looking very old. Divers who frequently use their wetsuits may replace them yearly meaning they can use the washing machines every now and then.
However, if you invest in a wetsuit and hope it serves you for a couple of years, stay away from the machines and only hand wash your wetsuits.
In this article, we’ll dive deeper into washing and care of wetsuits, why you should avoid washing machines and dryers, wetsuit shampoos and so much more.
Let’s dive into it!
READ MORE: Can You Scuba Dive without a Wetsuit?
Can A Wetsuit Go In The Washing Machine?
The answer is yes. But should you do it?
As mentioned above, avoid washing your wetsuits in the machine wash if you want them to last longer. Washing machines damage the neoprene and other materials added such as spandex.
If you replace your wetsuits every year you may use washing machines. If you must use a washing machine for health reasons, only use cold water to clean the wetsuits.
As the wetsuits spin in the wash cycle they will get damaged, creased, and definitely lose elasticity.
Some of the reasons someone could consider using a washer are moldy wetsuits, stubborn stains, or a big load of wetsuits to clean.
A washer seems like the best option to get the job done right? But it’s not your best option!
Remember that even when using a washing machine, each wetsuit must be rinsed before going in. Rinsing removes the salty water layer and any other materials attached to the wetsuit after diving.
If you want your wetsuits to serve you for a long time, avoid washing machines at all costs
How to Wash Your Wetsuit
Below is a simple guide to washing your wetsuits
Step 1: Rinse the wetsuit after each dive using cold clean water.
Hang your wetsuit and use a hose to rinse or fill a tub/large basin with water and rinse the wetsuit thoroughly.
Step 2: Fill a tub or a large basin with cold water, and add a cupful of the wetsuit shampoo.
Mix it well then dip your wetsuit(s)
Step 3: Soak the wetsuit for 15-30 minutes (optional)
Gently clean the wetsuit using a soft piece of cloth. Using a sloth is optional, you can clan the wetsuit with just your hands.
Clean both the inside and the outside of the wetsuit.
Step 4: Don’t rinse the shampoo, your wetsuit is ready for drying
Check out wetsuit shampoos available on Amazon
Important things to remember:
- Never use regular shampoo, detergents, bleach, or laundry soap to clean your wetsuits
- Avoid using fabric softeners too. The neoprene material can’t feel as soft as normal clothes would after using a fabric softener. The wetsuit shampoos will do all the work for you cleaning and making the wetsuit smell nice.
- Regular shampoos and laundry soaps are harsh on neoprene and will leave the wetsuit feeling rough.
- Continued use of these detergents makes the wetsuit wear out quickly. It will also start having wrinkles and looking very old even when it’s barely a few months.
How to Clean a Smelly Wetsuit
Cleaning your wetsuit after every use prevents a smelly wetsuit. The reason a wetsuit will start smelling is that the owner hasn’t washed it after many uses.
Maybe you have other plans or a party to attend after diving or surfing. You remove the wetsuit and toss it into the trunk of your car or in a basin hoping to clean it soon, days pass and you forget about it. You only remember about the wetsuit during your next diving trip or when you see it.
In such a case, the wetsuit will not only have a very bad smell but also mold starting to grow on it.
To clean a smelly wetsuit simply soak it for a couple of hours in cold water with a nice smelling wetsuit shampoo.
Hopefully, the wetsuit shampoo will do the magic and get rid of the awful smell. You may need to wash the wetsuit twice after the soak to fully get rid of the smell.
Once done cleaning it’s time to hang the wetsuit to dry.
How Often Should You Wash Your Wetsuit
If you are using the wetsuit at least 3 to 4 times a week, washing it once a week is enough.
By this, I mean washing with the wetsuit shampoo and probably soaking it for a few minutes before washing.
After every use, you should always remember to rinse the wetsuit using cold water and hang it to dry.
Surfers for instance can wear their wetsuits every other day and may not have time to clean them thoroughly. Scuba divers doing multiple dives in a week may also need to use the same wetsuit during those days.
The best way to go about it is by rinsing the wetsuit thoroughly after each use and then cleaning it with wetsuit shampoo once or twice a week.
When traveling you may not have access to your wetsuit shampoo limiting how often you can wash it.
Just don’t throw the wetsuit into the back of your car and forget about it. It will smell and you will regret it.
I can’t stress enough how bad that smell can get!
How to Dry a Wetsuit
After washing your wetsuit, drying is equally important.
Step 5: Hang the wetsuit(s) under a shade to dry.
Use wetsuit hangers to maintain the wetsuit shape and fabric. This also helps the wetsuit dry evenly
If you don’t have the wetsuit hangers, simply hang them on the drying line or a fence.
First, dry the inner side, then the outer side last.
Important to remember:
- Don’t leave your wetsuit out in direct sunlight for too long. Strong sun rays will damage your wetsuit leaving it brittle. Frequent exposure to sunlight makes the wetsuit start cracking and wearing out.
- On a very hot day, hung the wetsuit in a shade.
- You can hang the wetsuit under direct sunlight but don’t leave them exposed for too long.
- Always ensure the wetsuit is 100% dry before storing
How Long Does It Take For a Wetsuit to Dry
A wetsuit will completely dry in about 1- 3 hours. Depending on the thickness and the weather the wetsuit may dry much faster.
Thinner wetsuits will naturally dry at a much faster rate compared to thick wetsuits. In addition, depending on how hot the sun is shining on a particular day, lighter wetsuits can even dry in 45 minutes.
Always remember to turn your wetsuit inside out when drying. Turn the wetsuit once the inside is fully dried.
Using a wetsuit hanger can help dry it faster since it’s in an upright position with no folds that end up holding some water. Water flows down easily drying it.
When drying a wetsuit in cold weather or indoors, it will take longer to completely dry. This may take 12-24 hours depending on the surrounding factors and humidity.
READ MORE: Are Wetsuits Waterproof
How to Dry a Wetsuit Indoors
To dry a wetsuit indoors, use wetsuit hangers or any other strong hanger available, turn the wetsuit inside out, and hang it in the shower or in a garage.
Drying a wetsuit indoors will take longer to dry.
If you are drying your wetsuit indoors, it is probably very cold and wet outside. But if you are trying to avoid direct sunlight rays onto your wetsuit, then consider opening the windows for airflow.
How Do You Get Mold Out Of a Wetsuit
To get mold out of a wetsuit, try soaking it for a couple of hours in cold water with wetsuit shampoo. If this doesn’t get the mold out, it’s time to replace it.
Avoid using strong detergents, bleach, or brushes to scrub the mold off. This will destroy your wetsuit and probably tear it as you scrub hard.
The best way to prevent mold from growing on your wetsuit is to always rinse, clean, and dry your wetsuit after use. Avoid leaving dirty wetsuits lying around the garage or in your trunk.
Did I answer all your questions on can your machine wash wetsuits?
We’ve looked into the reasons why washing machines should be avoided when cleaning wetsuits. Only hand wash the wetsuits using a wetsuit shampoo and hang them to dry away from direct sunlight.
If you must use a washer for whatever reason, only use cold water and spin on a gentle cycle.
Dryers should be avoided completely since this ruins the neoprene leaving your wetsuit rigid and feeling dry.
We’ve also looked at how to care for your wetsuit, how many times you should be washing it, and finally concluded on how to remove mold from a wetsuit.
I hope this article provides useful information and will help your car for your wetsuits the correct way.
