1. Dry Your Wetsuit in Direct Sunlight
It is hard to do something worse for your wetsuit than this. Sunlight even on a hazy day will ruin a good wetsuit really quickly
2. Pee in Your Wetsuit
Okay, we have all done it. Urine is really corrosive and eats away at the stitching, glue and neoprene in your wetsuit. It is the quickest way to premature leaking in the crotch area. Plus it makes your wetsuit stink
If you do it, then make sure your thoroughly wash your wetsuit with a good wetsuit shampoo immediately after. Even look at using some odor eliminator that kills bacteria. According to one of the top wetsuit repair shops in the country, “there is no faster way to get a leaking crotch in your wetsuit”.
“Surfing for over 40 years. I couldn’t believe how much better my wetsuit felt after washing with a wetsuit shampoo. It took out all the grit. I always freshwater rinsed my suit after surfing." - A.P.
3. Wash Your Wetsuit in the Washing Machine
Definitely worse than a dryer. Avoid bleaches and other chemicals like chlorine found in pools.
4. Dry Your Wetsuit in the Dryer
We have all been tempted. We even done it. The dryer is a great way to ruin your wetsuit. Better bet is to buy an electric wetsuit hanger that circulates air inside your wetsuit. Or blow a fan on your wetsuit to help it dry faster.
5. Throw it in the Trunk of Your Car after a Surf
No freshwater rinse. Pile other crap on top of your wetsuit. Quick way to send your wetsuit to the landfill.
1. Freshwater Rinse After Every Session
If you do nothing else rinse your wetsuit with freshwater inside|out after every use. Salt water will corrode your wetsuit faster than you can say” time to buy a new one”
2. Dry Your Wetsuit in the Shade
Drying your wetsuit in direct sunlight will destroy your wetsuit really fast. Even on a cloudy day dry your suit out of the sun. Turn it inside|out until dry
3. Hang Up Your Wetsuit Correctly
Use a good wetsuit hanger. Definitely don’t hang the wetsuit by the neck|shoulders. It will stretch out the wetsuit really fast. You can gently squeeze any excess water out of the wetsuit to shorten drying time.
4. Do Use an Occasional Wetsuit Shampoo
Grit, Sand and Salt will build up in your suit over time even after a freshwater rinse. A good wetsuit shampoo will make your wetsuit feel like new.
“Been surfing and teaching surfing for over 40 years. I couldn’t believe how much better my wetsuit felt after washing with a wetsuit shampoo. It took out the grit and made the inside feel like new." - A.P.
5. Take Care When Taking off Your Wetsuit
Neoprene is durable if handled gently. When getting into|out of your wetsuit don’t pull on the seams. Be careful around the entry of the wetsuit. Try not to dig your thumbs or your finger nails into the neoprene when taking off your wetsuit. Particularly around the smoothy material. Standing on one leg while trying to pull the other leg out of your wetsuit is recipe for ripped seams. Definitely, never pull too hard.