Caring for a wetsuit between trips

Most wetsuits are made of neoprene, a closed-cell foam rubber that holds a thin layer of water against the skin and keeps the body warm. Neoprene is durable, but it is sensitive to three things: salt and sand left in the material, heat and direct sunlight, and sharp folds or long periods of compression. Looking after a suit between trips mostly means avoiding those three problems, and the habits are simple once they become routine.

In short, rinse the suit in fresh water after every session, dry it in the shade away from heat, hang it correctly and store it loosely. Each step has a clear reason. Skipping one usually shows up later as stiffness, odor, cracked seams or a zipper that sticks.

Rinsing after every session

Rinse the wetsuit as soon as possible after leaving the water. Use clean, lukewarm fresh water and run it over the inside and outside of the suit, paying attention to the neck, wrists, ankles and the seams where sand collects. Turning the suit inside out and rinsing it again helps remove salt and grit from the lining that touches your skin, where sweat and salt build up over time.

Avoid hot water, which can weaken the neoprene and speed up aging. Use only mild cleaning products made for wetsuits when a deeper wash is needed, and avoid bleach, solvents and fabric softeners, because these can damage the material or leave residues. After a particularly sandy or silty trip, a longer soak in clean fresh water followed by a thorough rinse is usually enough.

Pay attention to smell as well as appearance. A suit that turns sour after a few dives usually holds dried sweat and bacteria in the lining. A soak in clean fresh water, a wash with a cleaner made for wetsuits and a second rinse followed by complete drying usually removes the odor. If a smell persists after careful cleaning, the lining may be worn, and a repair service can tell you whether the suit is worth refreshing or replacing.

Drying without damaging the neoprene

Dry the suit inside out in a shaded, ventilated place. Direct sunlight, a car dashboard or a heater can overheat the neoprene and make it brittle, and a dryer or hot iron will damage it. Shade is slower than heat, but it keeps the neoprene and its lining stable.

Hang the suit on a hanger wide enough to fill the shoulders, so the material keeps its shape and the weight does not stretch the shoulder area. Let the suit dry fully inside, because a suit that goes into a bag while damp can develop odor and mildew. Check the seams and the inside of the legs and arms before storing it, since water can linger in folds and cuffs.

Storing the suit between trips

Store the wetsuit loosely in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat sources and chemicals such as fuel, oil or cleaning solvents. Hang it or lay it flat rather than folding it tightly into a bag, since sharp creases can break down the neoprene over time. A dedicated wetsuit bag helps keep dust off, but make sure the suit is completely dry before you close it.

Do not store the suit compressed under heavy objects, and avoid leaving it in a car or a sealed container where temperatures rise. Many divers hang their suits in a closet, which works well as long as the closet is not warm and the suit is not pressed against other gear. A well-stored suit usually keeps its flexibility far longer than one left crumpled in a duffel bag between trips.

Transport deserves the same attention. A suit that is still damp should not sit in a sealed car trunk or a closed dive bag for hours, because warm, dark and wet conditions encourage odor and can stain the lining. If you must travel with a damp suit, use a mesh bag that lets air move, and unpack it as soon as you reach a place where it can hang.

Zippers, seams and small repairs

Zippers need the most regular attention. Rinse them after every dive, let them dry fully and, if the manufacturer recommends it, use a zipper lubricant on the teeth occasionally. A zipper that sticks should be cleaned and checked rather than forced, because a forced zipper can tear the surrounding neoprene.

Small tears and separated seams can often be repaired with a neoprene-specific adhesive, following the product's instructions for clean, dry surfaces. Larger damage, such as a tear across a high-stress area or a failed zipper, is better handled by a qualified repair service. Catching small problems early is the main way to stop them from becoming expensive repairs, so inspect the suit each time you rinse it.

Care only goes so far, because every suit eventually wears out. Neoprene thins where it is repeatedly knelt on, sat on or creased, and a suit that has thinned this way keeps less heat in even when it fits well. Bonded or taped seams can also start to separate along the edges, and a seam that lets water flush in and out with every movement means the suit needs professional repair or replacement. In cold water, a suit that no longer insulates is a safety problem as well as a comfort problem, because cold reduces dexterity and judgment, so replace a suit that has lost its warmth rather than relying on it.