Wetsuits are an investment, and with proper care, can last you seasons ahead. Not only is it better for you and the wetsuit, but it reduces the need to replace it, minimizing the environmental impact associated with the production and disposal of wetsuits.

All this can be achieved by following a few simple care tips. There’s the obvious: don’t ever machine wash, iron, or tumble dry your wetsuit. And there are the essential steps below.

Change with care
Changing in and out of a wetsuit with care helps prevent unnecessary stress and strain on the material, reducing the risk of tears or damage. By avoiding abrupt or forceful movements, you can maintain the integrity and longevity of the wetsuit. This means being careful even when you’re in a rush to hit the water. Watch your fingernails, take your time, and don’t rub it against the tarmac of the parking lot.

Rinse your wetsuit
Thoroughly rinse your wetsuit right after your sessions with cold and fresh water. This will remove all of the sand, salt, and sweat. Make sure you don’t use hot or warm water since it can heavily impact the glue and seams of your wetsuit. You can also add a bit of wetsuit shampoo when soaking your suit in a bucket to remove odor and bacteria but don’t use other cleaning products or chemicals.

Drip dry your wetsuit
Allow your wetsuit to drip dry once rinsed. Make sure you hang your wetsuit in a shaded area and never in direct sunlight. Hang your wetsuit inside out and folded at the waist, preferably on a wetsuit hanger. Don’t hang it by its shoulders in a normal coat hanger, as this can lead to unnecessary stress on the shoulder panels. Once the inside is dry, turn it back out and dry the other side.

Store your wetsuit
Store your wetsuit if you’re not headed back for another session anytime soon, or if you’re switching your wetsuit at the turn of the season. First, make sure it’s bone dry, then roll up your wetsuit to prevent creases, folds, and dents in the neoprene. It would be even better to fully lay out your wetsuit and to store it in a dry dark place. If these aren’t possible, you can use a wetsuit hanger, and store it folded at the waist again.