Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

Now that you have a wetsuit, you need to take proper care of it. This allows you to extend the life of your wetsuit and keep you warm for many dives.

Steps

1. 1 Rinse. If you dived that day, rinse your suit in fresh water as quickly as possible. Most divers have a suit rinse container. Salt water can cause neoprene to lose its flexibility, and not a washed wetsuit smells bad.
2. 2 Soak. As soon as you can, soak the suit in clean, warm water for about 15 minutes. You should also wash the suit, occasionally using a wetsuit shampoo or baby shampoo.
3. 3 Hang to dry. Use a dedicated wetsuit hanger if you have one; if not, use a plastic hanger. Never use a thin wire hanger. The metal will ruin the neoprene. Do not hang the suit to dry in the sun, the neoprene may crack. Find a nice windy and shady spot in your yard, such as under a tree. Allow the wetsuit to dry completely before storing it to keep it looking and smelling good.
4. 4 Examine the suit for damage. Check for rips or stretch marks before folding your wetsuit. They can be easily fixed while they are small.
5. 5 Store the item correctly. Store the wetsuit flat or hanging as described above. Do not fold it or put it in a drawer. The wetsuit will wrinkle and lose its insulating properties

Tips

• Diving shops sell a special shampoo for washing your wetsuit.

Warnings

• Do not store or dry your wetsuit in direct sunlight.
• Do not fold the wetsuit into the drum. While this seems obvious, some people do it. You are warned.
• Do not store a wetsuit in the trunk of your car
• Do not use aerosol sprays or car exhaust fumes on your wetsuit. This will only spoil the neoprene.