How to Care for a Wetsuit: A Guide to Make it Last Longer

A good wetsuit is a significant investment. It's the key to your comfort, performance, and safety in the water. But have you ever seen a suit that's cracked, stiff, and smelly after just one or two seasons? Often, this premature aging isn't a fault of the suit itself, but a result of improper care. Leaving it crumpled in the trunk of your car or drying it in direct sunlight are the fastest ways to destroy your investment.

The truth is, a high-quality neoprene wetsuit is surprisingly durable, but it needs a little bit of care to reach its full potential lifespan. With a simple post-session routine, you can keep your suit flexible, fresh, and performing at its peak for many years. This is your ultimate guide to wetsuit care. As the material engineers at https://neoprenecustom.com who create the very foundation of these suits, we want to help you protect your gear.

The #1 Most Important Rule: Fresh Water is Your Best Friend

Saltwater, chlorine, and organic matter are the enemies of your wetsuit. The single most important thing you can do after every single session is rinse your wetsuit thoroughly with fresh, cool water.

• The Process: As soon as you take it off, rinse it inside and out. Pay special attention to the zippers and seams. A shower or a hose works perfectly. Don't use hot water, as it can degrade the neoprene over time.

Step 2: How to Properly Wash Your Wetsuit

A simple rinse is good, but a proper wash every few sessions will keep your suit from getting funky.

• What You'll Need: A large tub or bucket and a specialized wetsuit shampoo.

• Why Not Regular Soap? Regular detergents and soaps can strip the natural oils from the rubber, making it dry and brittle over time. Wetsuit shampoos are specifically formulated to be gentle on neoprene while effectively removing salt, chlorine, and odor-causing bacteria.

• The Process:

  1. Fill the tub with cool or lukewarm water.

  2. Add the recommended amount of wetsuit shampoo.

  3. Submerge your wetsuit and let it soak for 20-30 minutes.

  4. Gently hand-wash the suit by kneading and squeezing the material.

  5. Drain the tub and rinse the suit thoroughly with fresh water until all the shampoo is gone.

• Can you put a wetsuit in the washing machine? NO. A washing machine is far too aggressive. The agitation can damage the delicate seams, stretch the material unevenly, and ruin the suit's fit. Hand washing is the only safe method.

Step 3: The Art of Drying (This is CRITICAL)

Improper drying is the #1 killer of wetsuits. Follow these two golden rules.

Rule 1: NEVER Dry it in Direct Sunlight.

• The sun's UV radiation is brutal. It will break down the molecular bonds in the neoprene, causing it to become brittle, lose its stretch, and fade. It will literally cook your suit and cut its lifespan in half.

Rule 2: NEVER Hang it by the Shoulders on a Thin Wire Hanger.

• A wet wetsuit is very heavy. Hanging it from the shoulders on a thin hanger will cause the neoprene in the shoulder area to permanently stretch and thin out, creating weak spots.

The Professional Drying Method:

1. After washing, hang your wetsuit inside-out and folded in half over the waist on a thick, plastic hanger or a sturdy railing.

2. Place it in a shady, well-ventilated area.

3. Once the inside is completely dry, turn it right-side-out to allow the outside to dry.

• Why inside-out first? The inside is what's against your skin, so you want it to be dry and comfortable for your next session. It also protects the exterior colors from any ambient UV light.

Step 4: Smart Storage for the Off-Season

How you store your suit during the winter or between trips is crucial for its longevity.

• The Best Way: The ideal method is to store it lying flat, out of direct sunlight.

• The Next Best Way: Use a special, wide-shouldered wetsuit hanger (not a thin wire hanger!) to hang it in a closet. This supports the weight of the suit properly.

• What to Avoid: Never store your wetsuit folded or crumpled in a drawer or a bag for long periods. This will create permanent creases in the neoprene that can weaken the material.

You can follow every care tip perfectly, but a wetsuit's potential lifespan is ultimately determined by the quality of the material it was made from.

• Low-Quality Neoprene (High SBR content): This material is naturally less durable. It has lower tear strength, poor UV/ozone resistance, and its cell structure breaks down easily under compression (it "packs out"). Even with perfect care, a suit made from this will have a short life.

• High-Quality Neoprene (High CR content): A premium neoprene, like the material we engineer at https://neoprenecustom.com, is a far more resilient and durable foundation. It is engineered with:

  • Superior Resilience: It resists permanent creasing and "packing out."

  • Excellent UV & Ozone Resistance: It is chemically more stable and better able to withstand the elements.

  • A Strong Lamination Bond: The fabric linings are bonded to last and won't peel away after a few seasons.

An investment in a wetsuit made from a high-quality material, combined with this simple care routine, is the secret to a piece of gear that will perform at its best for years to come.

For brands looking to build a more durable, longer-lasting product, it all starts at the source. Contact our material expert, Kevin, at kevin@neoprenecustom.com.