Properly cleaning your wetsuit is crucial to getting rid of those unpleasant odors and increasing its lifespan. Sure, rinsing your suit after each use helps clean it a bit, but soon the rubber will start to smell.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s when household cleaners, like vinegar, come in handy. Now, if you\u2019re wondering how to clean a wet suit with vinegar, keep reading this article to find out!<\/p>\n
Check out my related articles:<\/strong> The short answer is yes. However, you need to be careful, as the acidic nature of vinegar can damage the suit. You see, most wetsuits are made of neoprene<\/a>, a type of synthetic rubber.<\/p>\n The idea behind that material is that it traps a thin water layer beneath it. Body heat then warms the trapped water. As a result, the wearer maintains a warm temperature throughout the swimming journey.<\/p>\n While that sounds great, harsh chemicals and detergents can damage neoprene. So, using a high concentration of acetic acid might weaken the wetsuit in the long run. Still, with the proper cleaning technique, vinegar can help remove unpleasant odors from your wetsuit.<\/p>\n Read my article about\u00a0why your wetsuit smells<\/a>?<\/p>\n Cleaning your wetsuit with vinegar is straightforward. All you need to do is fill a tub with the water-vinegar combo and let it soak for a while before washing the wetsuit<\/a>.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a detailed explanation of how to clean a wetsuit with vinegar:<\/p>\n Although it\u2019s tempting to throw your wetsuit in the tub and let it soak, you need to do a couple of things<\/a> first. Start by opening the zippers in your suit. The former step helps water reach all corners of the wetsuit, resulting in efficient cleaning.<\/p>\n Additionally, you\u2019ll want to turn your suit inside out. Sure, water can penetrate the rubber. Still, the inside is where all the sweat, body oils, and grime accumulate.<\/p>\n The problem is that natural body bacteria feed<\/a> on those fluids. They release an enzyme that converts odorless chemicals found in sweat into thioalcohol. The former are compounds that contain sulfur, which is the culprit behind that unpleasant smell.<\/p>\n That pungent odor can get even worse if you don\u2019t rinse your suit after each surfing session\u2014something many of us are guilty of doing. For that reason, flipping your wetsuit is vital to ensure the water washes away the accumulated dirt.<\/p>\n After preparing your wetsuit, fill the bathtub with water. Keep in mind that the water should be cool to lukewarm. Using hot water to clean the wetsuit can expand the rubber. As a result, the suit stretches and loses some flexibility, eventually wearing out.<\/p>\n Now, when it comes to vinegar, you should use a distilled product with an acetic acid percentage of 5% to 8%. Higher vinegar percentages might damage the wetsuit.<\/p>\n Still, some neoprene suits can tolerate 20% acetic acid. So, it\u2019s best to check the manufacturer\u2019s care guide to know which vinegar percentage is suitable for cleaning<\/a> your wetsuit.<\/p>\n Once you fill the tub, add around half a cup of distilled vinegar. You can add more or less according to the amount of water used.<\/p>\n Generally, you can soak your wetsuit for around 20-30 minutes. The messier the suit is, the more you need to submerge it.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, you can try kneading the wetsuit to maximize the washing process while the acetic acid works its magic.<\/p>\n Vinegar helps dissolve dirt, grime, mineral deposits, and even grease, thanks to its acidic nature. The powerful cleaner can also kill bacteria<\/a> since it has some antimicrobial activity.<\/p>\n If you want to go the extra mile, you can add essential oils to the water-vinegar combo. Yes, rinsing the suit removes most of the acetic acid smell. However, mixing in a few drops of lavender, tea tree, or cinnamon oil will give your wetsuit a fresh scent.<\/p>\n After soaking, empty the vinegar-water mix from the bathtub and wash the wetsuit with cold water. Make sure to rinse well, leaving no vinegar traces behind.<\/p>\n Now comes the tricky part: drying your wetsuit. You shouldn\u2019t leave your wetsuit to dry in the sun. That\u2019s because long exposure to UV light<\/a>, as well as ozone, accelerates wetsuit deterioration.<\/p>\n Additionally, don\u2019t hang the suit using a hanger or a clothespin to avoid stretching the rubber.<\/p>\n One way to tackle the above issues is to lay the wetsuit flat on the floor and let it dry in front of a fan. Don\u2019t forget to turn the rubber suit over and keep the zippers open for better air circulation.<\/p>\n Even if you don\u2019t have vinegar on hand or aren\u2019t a fan of the pungent odor, you can use other DIY cleaners, like baking soda and mild soap.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how to wash your wetsuit with each cleaner:<\/p>\n
\nCan You Put a Wetsuit in the Dryer?<\/a>
\nCan I Wash My Wetsuit in the Washing Machine?<\/a><\/p>\nCan You Clean a Wetsuit with Vinegar?<\/h2>\n
How to Clean a Wetsuit with Vinegar<\/h2>\n
Step 1: Prepare the Suit<\/h3>\n
Step 2: Fill the Bathtub with Water and Vinegar<\/h3>\n
Step 3: Soak the Wetsuit<\/h3>\n
Step 4: Wash and Dry<\/h3>\n
Vinegar Alternatives to Clean a Wetsuit<\/h2>\n
Backing Soda<\/h3>\n