Scuba diving is a sport that requires a lot of expensive gear, including wetsuits. To protect your investment, it is essential that you properly clean and maintain your equipment to ensure it lasts as long as possible. Cleaning a wetsuit is a difficult chore because you have to wash and rinse it and then allow it to dry. If you have a wetsuit, you may be asking yourself – Can I wash my wetsuit in the washing machine?<\/p>\n
While you can technically wash your wetsuit in a washing machine, you should avoid doing it to preserve its shape and color. It is better to hand wash a wetsuit with a mild detergent, rinse it thoroughly with tap water, and hang it inside out on a clothesline to air dry before storing it. If you elect to wash your wetsuit in the washing machine, use a cold water setting with a slow spin cycle with no detergent.<\/strong><\/p>\n Let’s look closely at your options and what method is recommended for washing your wetsuit<\/a>. Read on!<\/p>\n Check out my related articles:<\/strong> Most wetsuits are made of neoprene foam that absorbs every liquid it comes in contact with during your dive. This includes saltwater, sand, sweat, and sometimes urine.<\/p>\n For this reason, you should wash your wetsuit immediately after diving. Letting it sit for too long will cause it to smell. Worse, if you dove in seawater, the material can get damaged due to salt crystals, mold, and mildew.<\/p>\n Read my article about why your wetsuit smells<\/a>?<\/p>\n Throwing your suit in the washing machine may not be a bad idea after all, now that we recognize the importance of washing it immediately. That’s particularly true if you don’t have the luxury of time.<\/p>\n However, there are a few things you need to remember if you decide to do so. Here are some precautions you need to follow:<\/p>\n Don’t make the mistake of using hot water for washing.<\/p>\n Maybe a familiar picture for you is people running to a hot shower with a wetsuit on. However, that’s not good practice.<\/p>\n Neoprene<\/a>, the material used in most wetsuits, responds to heat by expanding. Frequent exposure to that will make your wetsuit lose flexibility and shorten its lifespan.<\/p>\n Hence, always set your washing machine at the lowest temperature possible.<\/p>\n A faster spinning cycle can easily dislodge dirt, but it can ruin your wetsuit too. It can stretch and weaken the fabric along the way.<\/p>\n Instead, use a slow spin cycle that\u2019d be just enough to remove unwanted dirt.<\/p>\n Detergents<\/a> are harsh chemicals that can easily damage neoprene.<\/p>\n Your best option is to use specially-formulated cleaning agents for wetsuits. This way, you can safely wash yours and avoid causing deterioration.<\/p>\n All the same, wetsuit shampoos aren\u2019t always necessary.<\/p>\n You know what happens when you wash clothes in the washing machine. They get tangled all over each other.<\/p>\n That’s why you should never wash your wetsuit with other pieces of clothing. Otherwise, you’ll be putting it at risk of being stretched in different directions. As a result, your wetsuit may not return to its original shape.<\/p>\n Additionally, sharp clothing details can also scratch or puncture your wetsuit. This can compromise the integrity and may render the wetsuit useless underwater<\/a>.<\/p>\n Hand washing is a better option compared to cleaning in the washing machine.<\/p>\n This way, you can control the force applied to clean your wetsuit and minimize wear and tear.<\/p>\n It’s also a cost-effective method. Unlike with a washing machine, you’ll need less energy, if at all. You’ll save on water too while helping the environment in the process.<\/p>\n Even better, hand washing your wetsuit is easy to do. Most of the time, all you need is water to get it done.<\/p>\n On occasion, you can use a wetsuit shampoo to remove odors and buildups that can damage the neoprene.<\/p>\n That said, here’s your guide to hand-washing your wetsuit:<\/a><\/p>\n
\nCan You Put a Wetsuit in the Dryer?<\/a>
\nHow to Clean a Wetsuit with Vinegar<\/a><\/p>\nWhy I Need to Wash My Wetsuit<\/h2>\n
How to Wash My Wetsuit in the Washing Machine<\/h2>\n
1.\u00a0\u00a0 Never Use Hot Water<\/h3>\n
2.\u00a0\u00a0 Use a Low-Speed Spin Cycle<\/h3>\n
3.\u00a0\u00a0 Don’t Use Detergent<\/h3>\n
4.\u00a0\u00a0 Don’t Put Other Pieces of Clothing<\/h3>\n
How to Hand Wash Your Wetsuit<\/h2>\n
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How to Dry Your Wetsuit<\/h2>\n