Maintaining your wetsuit requires drying it regularly, but this process may be daunting. Here are some effective techniques for doing just that.
Ideal results are achieved by hanging your wetsuit, folded at its waistline inside out and in indirect sunlight or a well ventilated place, to drip dry for 6-12 hours before folding up.
Drying
Once a session has concluded, make sure your wetsuit is completely dry before storing it away. Allowing water to accumulate can lead to mold and mildew growth that eventually compromises its quality, as well as creating unpleasant odors or mildew on its interior surface that are difficult to get rid of.
To speed up the drying process, place your wetsuit somewhere with airflow and ambient temperature – this could take anywhere from 6-12 hours, depending on weather and location.
To accelerate the drying process, another way is to extract as much excess water from your wetsuit as possible and thus significantly shortening the time needed for its full drying.
Rinse your wetsuit after each session, then hang it to dry in indirect sunlight or an area with adequate ventilation.
Place your wetsuit in your bathtub and use cleaner to soak it, which will remove any trace of sand and salt that has collected inside, speeding up its drying process.
Once your wetsuit has been rinsed and dried off, use a thicker hanger that won’t stretch it out of shape, thus minimizing creases and indentations that may prove hard to correct later on.
Within 15 minutes, squeeze your wetsuit towards its cuffs and ankles to force out as much excess water as possible – this will dramatically speed up drying times, especially for thicker suits.
If time is of the essence, another way to quickly dry a wetsuit is by placing it in a large towel and pressing out any excess water with firm pressure – this will significantly cut drying times! It is well worth making extra efforts towards drying your wetsuit!
To speed up the drying process, place your wetsuit outside on a rack specifically made for wetsuits. This will ensure it doesn’t drip onto car upholstery and prevent corrosion issues that could develop over time.
Cleaning
A wetsuit should be regularly washed and disinfected to eliminate salt build-up and bacteria growth that could potentially create unpleasant odors. As its neoprene material can quickly degrade over time, ensuring regular deep cleans at least every week are essential.
One effective method for cleaning wetsuits is using special wetsuit cleaner that can effectively remove salt and bacteria without damaging neoprene materials, keeping your wetsuit in great shape while also leaving it smelling great! This will keep it looking and smelling brand new for as long as possible.
As soon as your suit has been exposed to salt or chlorinated water, be sure to thoroughly rinse both inside and outside of its neoprene material with cool or lukewarm water before wearing. This step is especially essential if it was submerged for extended periods; salt exposure or chlorine contamination can damage its material and shorten its lifespan significantly.
For an extra thorough clean, specialized wetsuit shampoo or conditioner can also help keep neoprene free from mould and mildew and extend its lifespan. Simply add a small amount to a bucket or bath of warm water and leave for about half an hour before rinsing off and rinsing again.
Another effective method for cleaning wetsuits is washing them with detergent that will breakdown body oils and odors that have built up over time, particularly if they’ve been stored in a plastic bag without being rinsed regularly. This works particularly well if they’ve been left sitting around without being washed regularly.
Alternative wetsuit washing solutions include using the machine with warm water on delicate cycle. This option may be ideal if multiple people have used the wetsuit and it has become particularly dirty.
After being cleaned in fresh water, it should be rinsed again to ensure all detergent has been fully removed and that the suit has become completely odor-free. Once this step has been completed, hang your wetsuit to dry somewhere with less direct sunlight or wind exposure.
Vinegar can also help remove odors from wetsuits, although you must use this approach with care as its acidity could damage neoprene material. If using vinegar as part of a solution to soak wetsuits in, make sure it is diluted appropriately by adding water before dousing with it.
Storage
If you plan on keeping your wetsuit for any length of time, it is crucial that it dries properly. Exposing it directly to sunlight could result in damage to its ozone layer and UV degradation that shortens its lifespan.
Step one is to ensure the suit is completely dry on both sides, both inside and out, before placing it away in a cool and dry space like your closet or self storage unit. Airtight containers will prevent dust from getting in and damaging neoprene material.
To protect against wrinkles and wrinkling when storing a suit, try placing it in an airtight plastic bag. This will prevent water from seeping into the fabric while also keeping your suit from becoming dirty and smelly – which could potentially lead to mold or mildew growth.
Space-saver vacuum bags can be an excellent way to quickly dry wetsuits after sucking out all of the air from them. Simply vacuum out any extra air before sealing up your wetsuit in its sealed bag and hanging it to dry!
When hanging your wetsuit outside to dry, ensure it is in the shade and out of direct sunlight. This will assist in speeding up evaporation by carrying away water particles more efficiently while increasing airflow.
Use a fan to increase airflow and accelerate drying time; just be careful that it does not leave your wetsuit exposed in rain or wind!
As a rule of thumb, 3/2mm wetsuits typically take 6 hours or less in summer temperatures and 24 hours or less for winter wetsuits to dry completely if cared for properly. Thicker 4/3mm or 5/4mm suits tend to take longer, yet can still dry quickly with proper attention given.
If you need to store your wetsuit for an extended period of time, consider purchasing a storage rack or stand. They are easily installed and can accommodate multiple suits, booties and gloves. They’re even affordable enough that any sporting goods store might sell one!
Hangers equipped with ventilation holes are an excellent investment to reduce drying times quickly. Not only can these hangers help your wetsuit stay in better condition than other hangers but will dry much quicker!
Repair
An expensive wetsuit investment requires taking great care to preserve it for as long as possible, from simple home repairs to professional services. There are plenty of solutions available that can extend its lifespan.
Small cuts or rips may be repaired by applying neoprene glue directly to the affected area. You can find such glue at most surf shops, where it’s available to repair various neoprene types. Application instructions make this straightforward process even simpler. Alternatively, take your wetsuit into a wetsuit repair shop where an experienced specialist will handle this job for you.
Wetsuits can become damaged over time, necessitating some repairs before your suit can return to full functionality. Common repairs include small tears or rips in its seal, gouges in zippers, cuts at arm pit or leg cuff areas and tears or rips in its seal material.
These can be easily fixed using neoprene glue, available at most surf shops at an inexpensive price and designed specifically to bond neoprene panels together. Once applied to both sides of a tear, press them together when dry to prevent further tears reoccurring.
As an alternative, if your wetsuit needs repair work done quickly and cost-effectively, a patch can also help. A patch is a piece of neoprene cut specifically to fit into damaged areas like cuts and tears; use this piece of neoprene to fill large cuts or tears or even create seams if you feel confident enough!
Before beginning patching, clean the affected area to eliminate sand or salt that may obstruct application of your patch and ensure an even seal. This will make applying it much simpler.
After you’ve completed patching your wetsuit, it is now time to properly dry it. A good rule of thumb for proper drying would be hanging it up to air out in a room with good ventilation; although drying time could vary between several hours and several days. Keep away from direct sunlight and tumble dryers.