A good wetsuit isn't cheap, and it only lasts many seasons if you look after it. Sun, salt, chlorine and heat are the enemies of neoprene: they make it stiff, reduce its stretch and insulation, and damage glue and seams. A few minutes after every session is all it takes to make it last twice as long.
In this ZZSURF guide we explain how to wash, dry, repair and store your wetsuit, and the most common mistakes to avoid.
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1. Rinse after every session
This is the most important rule. As soon as you get out of the water (or as soon as you get home), rinse the wetsuit inside and out with cold or lukewarm fresh water. Salt crystallising in the fibres and sand in the seams wear it out from the inside.
- Use a tub or the shower: submerge the wetsuit, move it around and let it soak for a few minutes.
- Pay extra attention to the zip, wrists and ankles, where salt and sand build up.
- Rinse your boots, gloves and hood too.
2. A deep clean (every now and then)
Every 5 – 10 sessions, or when the wetsuit starts to smell, wash it with a dedicated neoprene shampoo or a very mild neutral detergent.
- Lukewarm water at most: never hot, heat damages neoprene and glue.
- Wash by hand, without scrubbing with brushes.
- No washing machine, bleach, fabric softener or harsh detergents.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove all detergent residue.
3. How to dry your wetsuit
- Inside out first: dry the inside, the part that touches your skin. Then turn it right side out to dry the outside.
- In the shade, somewhere airy. Direct sunlight (UV) hardens and fades neoprene.
- Away from radiators, heaters and tumble dryers.
- Use a wide hanger and fold the wetsuit in half over it at the waist. Hung by the shoulders while wet, it stretches and loses its shape.
ZZSURF tip: if you go out often in winter, alternate two wetsuits or take a waterproof bag and a poncho to the beach. That way you change in the warm and the wet wetsuit doesn't end up on your car seats.
Blackline wetsuit bag
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Poncho with zip
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Shelter waterproof poncho
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The zip is the part that breaks most often. Always rinse it with fresh water, opening and closing it several times to remove salt and sand. If it gets stiff, use a dedicated zip lubricant or wax. Never force it when it's stuck: free the fabric first.
5. Small cuts and loose seams
A small cut isn't the end of your wetsuit, but it needs repairing straight away, before it gets bigger.
- Wash and dry the area to be repaired thoroughly.
- Spread neoprene-specific glue on both edges, let it dry for a few minutes, then press the edges together.
- Wait until the glue is completely dry before using the wetsuit again.
- For large tears, broken zips or seams open over long stretches, go to a specialist repairer.
Neoprene repair kit
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Flashbomb 5 mm boots
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Nexus neoprene beanie
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- Only put it away when it's completely dry, otherwise mould and bad smells develop.
- Hang it on a wide hanger in a cool, dark wardrobe.
- If you have to fold it, roll it loosely without sharp creases. Don't put heavy objects on top.
- Never in the sun, in the car or near heat sources, not even for a few days.
7. Mistakes to avoid
| Mistake | What happens |
|---|---|
| Leaving it to dry in the sun | Neoprene hardens, fades and loses stretch |
| Washing it in hot water | Glue and taping come away |
| Washing machine and tumble dryer | Seams and panels lose their shape |
| Hanging it wet by the shoulders | The shoulders stretch and the fit is lost |
| Leaving it wet in the bag | Mould, bad smells and damage to the inner lining |
| Pulling it off by the sleeves | Wrists and seams tear: peel it off by rolling it down |
When is it time to replace it?
If the wetsuit lets in a lot of water, you feel cold in conditions where you used to be fine, or the neoprene is stiff or full of cracks, it's time for a new one. If you're looking for a new winter wetsuit, also read our guide to choosing an autumn and winter wetsuit.
Rip Curl Dawn Patrol Pro 4/3
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Neil Pryde Rise 5/4
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Rip Curl Dawn Patrol Warmth 6/4 hooded
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Can you wash a wetsuit in the washing machine?
No. The spin cycle and heat distort the neoprene and ruin the seams. Always wash it by hand in cold or lukewarm water.
How often should you wash a wetsuit?
Rinse it with fresh water after every session and give it a deep clean with neoprene shampoo every 5 – 10 sessions, or when it smells.
How do you get rid of a wetsuit smell?
Wash it with a neoprene-specific shampoo, let it soak for a few minutes, rinse well and dry it inside out in the shade somewhere airy.
Can you dry a wetsuit in the sun?
Better not: UV rays harden and fade neoprene. Dry it in the shade, inside out first and then right side out.
How do you repair a small cut in a wetsuit?
With neoprene-specific glue: clean the area, spread the glue on both edges, wait a few minutes and press the edges together. Let it dry thoroughly before use.
How long does a wetsuit last?
It depends on how much you use it and how you treat it. With a rinse after every session, drying in the shade and proper storage, a quality wetsuit lasts several seasons.
Not sure which wetsuit to choose or how to repair it? Write to us: we're happy to help.