How to care for your wetsuit: When to clean and replace it, etc.
Properly caring for your wetsuit will help it last longer, allowing you to surf in comfort and style for many years to come. We will show you how to care for your wetsuit, including how to clean and store it, and when to replace it.
Properly caring for your wetsuit will help it last longer, allowing you to surf in comfort and style for many years to come. A high-quality wetsuit requires attention to detail to reduce damage from UV rays, salt water, sand, dirty parking lots, large waves, etc.
General wetsuit care methods <br>Wetsuit care starts from the moment you put it on. Wear your wetsuit carefully to avoid scratching or puncturing the fabric, breaking zippers, or tearing seams.
Avoid urinating in your wetsuit if possible, even during long, cold sessions in the water. You can keep the fabric in good condition for a long time, and you don't have to worry about washing away the smell. After surfing, take off your wetsuit as soon as possible. The sooner you take it off, the less sand will stick to it and the less you will have to wash it afterwards. After taking off your wetsuit, turn it inside out and use a changing mat or poncho to make cleaning and drying easier.
The main things to keep in mind when caring for your wetsuit are as follows.
- Carefully put on and take off
- Avoid touching sand or the ground as much as possible
- Always wash with fresh water after surfing
- Turn it over to dry in the shade
- Store on wide hangers or flat in a cool, dry place.
How to clean a wetsuit
From seawater to freshwater. When washing your wetsuit, simply rinse with cold, fresh water. It's a good idea to wash your wetsuit as soon as possible after getting out of the water. No washing machine, hot water, laundry detergent, fabric softener, or bleach required. Either hose off or fill a bathtub with fresh water and soak your wetsuit several times.
After surfing, thoroughly rinse the inside and outside of your wetsuit to remove dirt such as sand, seawater, and sweat. If dirt remains, it may cause an odor or damage the fabric. If you find surf wax on your wetsuit, don't try to force it off.
Even with proper cleaning care, wetsuits can retain odors over time. You don't need to use it every time, but using a special cleaning agent once in a while will remove the odor.
To keep your wetsuit clean, rinse it thoroughly after use.
How to dry a wetsuit
After washing your wetsuit, it's time to dry it. Avoid drying in a dryer or in direct sunlight. Extreme heat and UV rays can damage and degrade neoprene, reducing the stretch of the fabric and shortening the lifespan of the suit. Similarly, never iron your wetsuit.
It's best to dry your wetsuit in the shade. To prevent mold, dry it inside out, then turn it inside out to make it dry more easily. This method is useful even if you're due for your next session soon, as it allows you to put your feet through the dry underside of a wet, cold suit first. You can dry it faster by blowing air with a fan. To dry, hang your wetsuit on a smooth, round surface, such as a balcony railing or a wide hanger. Hang it at your waist so that the left and right sides are evenly balanced.
How to store your wetsuit
It is important to ensure that your wetsuit is completely dry before storing it. If there is even a slight amount of moisture, mold will grow, odor will develop, and the fabric will become ruined. Once your wetsuit is dry, store it in a cool, dry place. Choose a location out of direct sunlight. It may be best to avoid garages, as car exhaust fumes and high heat can damage the fabric.
You can store items by folding them in a well-balanced manner on the rod of a wide hanger, or by using a thick hanger with rounded and wide shoulders, so you don't have to worry about the shoulders getting dented. Large hangers also allow for better ventilation while hanging. If you have enough space, you can also store your wetsuit lying down. This method is perfect for preventing wrinkles and stretching of the fabric when hanging.
When to replace your wetsuit
No matter how well you take care of your wetsuit, your precious wetsuit will start to deteriorate over the course of many sessions. The lifespan of a wetsuit is up to 10 years, depending on how often you use it. When cleaning or storing your wetsuit, check its wear and tear to see if any repairs are needed.
Holes, broken seams, and minor zipper defects can be repaired. If you purchased from Rip Curl's official online store, please contact us using the inquiry form. If you purchased from another store, please contact the store where you purchased it first.
It may be time to get a new wetsuit if:
- There are too many holes or the holes are too large to repair.
- There are large areas where the seams are weak or broken.
- Zipper is stuck or broken
- Deterioration, drying, and cracking of neoprene materials
- Dough no longer regulates temperature properly
- Unpleasant smell won't go away
- It's getting smaller or bigger
With proper care, your wetsuit will last a long time. Learn how to care for and store your wetsuit, develop an even greater love for surfing, and continue to enjoy surfing!