How to Wash a Wetsuit
Neoprene is polychloroprene rubber — chlorine, heat, and UV all degrade the polymer chain permanently. Cold rinse after every session is the only non-negotiable rule.
The Chemistry
Wetsuits are made from neoprene — polychloroprene, a synthetic rubber with a cross-linked polymer network. Closed-cell neoprene contains nitrogen gas bubbles trapped in the rubber matrix, which provide both thermal insulation and buoyancy. Three things permanently degrade neoprene: chlorine, heat, and UV. Chlorine from pool water attacks the polymer backbone through dehydrochlorination — removing hydrogen chloride from adjacent carbon atoms — and through oxidation of the double bonds in the polymer chain. Over time, this makes neoprene brittle and cracked. Rinsing immediately after pool use is the single most important step. Heat above 40°C softens the rubber compound and warps the closed-cell bubble structure permanently — reducing both insulation and flexibility. Tumble dryers and hot showers are the primary causes. Machine washing agitation physically tears the cell walls and stresses the seam stitching and glue bonds. UV radiation photo-oxidises the double bonds in the polychloroprene, causing the rubber to harden and lose elasticity. This is why wetsuits stored in direct sunlight for a season feel stiff and crack — the polymer chain has been chemically altered, not just dried out. Neoprene-specific wash products (Wetsuit Wash, McNett Wetsuit Shampoo) use pH-neutral surfactants that clean without attacking the rubber compound. Regular detergent and fabric softener both contain surfactants and conditioning agents that are incompatible with rubber polymers and can accelerate degradation.
Step-by-step
- 1
Rinse immediately after every use
The single most important step. Rinse inside and outside with cold fresh water within 30 minutes of leaving the water. Chlorine from pools continues reacting with neoprene while it sits wet — delaying the rinse accelerates polymer degradation.
- 2
Turn inside-out for the main wash
The inside of the wetsuit contacts sweat, sunscreen, and salt directly. Turn inside-out before soaking. Use a bathtub or large container — never a washing machine.
- 3
Soak in cool water with specialist wash
Fill a bathtub with cold or lukewarm water (max 30°C). Add a capful of neoprene-specific cleaner (Wetsuit Wash, McNett, Piss Off for urine smell). Submerge and gently agitate by hand for 5–10 minutes. Never wring or twist.
- 4
Rinse thoroughly inside and out
Drain and refill with fresh cold water. Rinse until no soap is visible. Surfactant residue left in the rubber accelerates degradation. Turn right-side out and rinse the outer surface.
- 5
Drip-dry inside-out in shade
Hang inside-out on a wide hanger (thin hangers permanently crease neoprene at the shoulders) in a cool, shaded location. Never in direct sunlight — UV degrades polychloroprene. Never tumble dry. Never near a radiator. The outside can dry in sunlight only once the inside is fully dry.
- 6
Store flat or on a wide hanger, away from light
Store folded flat or on a wide wetsuit hanger in a dark, cool location. Folding on thin hangers for months creates permanent crease marks in the rubber. Avoid compression — neoprene cells recover slowly from sustained pressure. Never store in a car boot or garage where temperatures spike.
What damages neoprene
| Cause | Effect | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Chlorine (pool water) | Dehydrochlorination — polymer backbone becomes brittle and cracks | Rinse with fresh water immediately after every pool session |
| Heat above 40°C | Softens rubber compound, warps closed-cell bubble structure permanently | Cold or lukewarm rinse only — never hot shower, radiator, or tumble dryer |
| Direct UV sunlight | Photo-oxidises polymer double bonds — rubber hardens and loses elasticity | Dry inside-out in shade; store away from windows and artificial UV |
| Machine washing | Agitation tears cell walls and stresses seam glue and stitching | Hand wash or soak only — always |
| Regular detergent / fabric softener | Surfactants incompatible with rubber accelerate surface degradation | Use neoprene-specific cleaner or very dilute baby shampoo only |
| Thin hangers / folding | Permanent crease marks in neoprene from sustained compression | Use wide wetsuit hangers; store flat if possible |
Frequently asked questions
Can you put a wetsuit in the washing machine?
No. Machine washing tears the closed-cell neoprene structure and stresses the seam glue and stitching. Hand wash in a bathtub using a neoprene-specific cleaner. Even a gentle cycle is too aggressive for neoprene.
How do you get the smell out of a wetsuit?
Wetsuit odour is primarily from urine and bacteria. Specialist products like McNett Wetsuit Wash or Piss Off use enzymes and pH-neutral surfactants to break down odour compounds without damaging neoprene. Soak for 15–30 minutes. Never use vinegar — acidity can attack neoprene surface coatings.
How often should you wash a wetsuit?
Rinse with cold fresh water after every single use — this is non-negotiable for pool sessions because chlorine keeps reacting until it is diluted. A full soak with cleaner every 5–10 sessions, or whenever there is visible salt buildup, sunscreen residue, or odour.
Can you use regular detergent on a wetsuit?
No. Regular laundry detergents and fabric softeners contain surfactants and conditioning polymers that are incompatible with neoprene rubber and accelerate surface degradation. Use neoprene-specific cleaner or, in an emergency, a very small amount of baby shampoo.