Your wetsuit just carried you through a gritty open-water session or a chlorinated pool workout, and now it’s balled up in the trunk of your car. You know you should wash it-but how? And does it really matter?
It does. A swim-specific wetsuit is a precision piece of equipment, and how you wash and care for it directly affects how long it performs. Chlorine, salt, bacteria, and even plain old lake gunk work against the neoprene, the seams, and the lining. A few minutes of post-swim attention will add seasons to your suit’s life and keep it feeling the way it did on day one.
Why Proper Washing Matters
Every blueseventy wetsuit is built with high-grade Yamamoto neoprene, chosen for its flexibility, buoyancy, and feel for the water. But even the best neoprene has enemies:
- Chlorine degrades the material over time, robbing it of flexibility.
- Salt crystals dry inside the fabric and abrade the neoprene cells.
- Bacteria and algae from lakes, rivers, or oceans settle into the lining and invite that unmistakable “wetsuit funk.”
A thorough fresh-water rinse and an occasional gentle wash keep the suit supple, the seams intact, and the thermal properties working. It’s simple, quick, and non-negotiable.
The Golden Rule: Rinse Immediately
The single most effective thing you can do happens right after you peel the suit off. Rinse it-inside and out-with cool, fresh water. Don’t wait until you get home. A post-race rinse station, a lakeside hose, or a gallon jug of water in the car will do the job.
If you have to travel, at least get the suit into a wet bag or a bucket of water to keep salt and chlorine from drying into the fabric. Then do a proper rinse as soon as you can.
Step-by-Step Washing
When you’re ready for a full wash, follow this sequence. It takes less than five minutes.
- Use cool water only. Hot water can damage neoprene and weaken glued seams. Lukewarm at most.
- Turn the suit inside out. The inner jersey lining is where sweat, body oils, and bacteria accumulate. Exposing it ensures a deeper clean.
- Apply a mild, neoprene-safe soap. A dedicated wetsuit shampoo is ideal, but a tiny drop of gentle, dye-free liquid soap works in a pinch. Never use laundry detergent, bleach, fabric softener, or dish soap-they strip the natural oils from the neoprene and can leave residues that irritate skin.
- Hand wash only. Gently squeeze and massage the soapy water through the fabric. Pay special attention to the underarm and crotch areas, where gunk loves to hide. Do not wring, twist, or scrub aggressively.
- Rinse until the water runs clear. Any soap left behind can trap moisture and lead to odor. Thorough rinsing is just as important as washing.
- Turn the suit right-side-out and rinse the exterior. A quick pass removes any last grit or sunscreen.
Drying Without Damage
How you dry a wetsuit can ruin it faster than a bad swim. Two non-negotiables:
- Never hang a wet wetsuit by the shoulders on a thin hanger. The weight of the water will stretch the neoprene, distort the fit, and eventually crack the shoulder material. If you must hang it, use a wide, padded hanger and fold the suit at the waist so the shoulders aren’t bearing the full load.
- Never dry in direct sunlight or near a heat source. UV rays break down neoprene. Heat from radiators, dryers, or a hot car trunk will delaminate seams. Air-dry only, in the shade.
The best method: Lay the suit flat on a clean, dry towel in a well-ventilated area, out of the sun. Flip it once the inside is dry, then let the outside finish. If you’re short on space, drape it over a thick bar or a drying rack, again folded at the waist so the shoulders are unburdened. The suit should be completely dry inside before you store it.
Dealing with Funky Smells
Even with diligent rinsing, wetsuit odor can creep in. The culprit is bacteria trapped deep in the lining. If a regular wash isn’t cutting it, give the suit a longer soak in cool water mixed with wetsuit shampoo (or a small amount of white vinegar) for 15-20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. The key is to kill bacteria without damaging the neoprene-so avoid strong chemicals or prolonged soaking, which can break down adhesives.
For stubborn smells, a purpose-made wetsuit cleaner with an enzymatic formula can work wonders. Always rinse completely afterward.
Special Care for Delicate Race Suits
Some suits deserve an extra measure of gentleness. The Helix, our flagship race wetsuit, uses extremely thin, ultra-flexible neoprene in the arms and shoulders to deliver total freedom of movement. That high-performance material is more delicate and will break down more quickly with heavy training use. If you’re swimming frequently in a Helix, treat every wash with care-light handling, no soaking, and always dry it flat. The payoff is race-day responsiveness that lasts.
For frequent training, many swimmers choose a more durable suit like the Reaction or Fusion, then save the Helix for key events. Either way, the same wash principles apply, but the thinner neoprene just demands a softer touch.
The Bottom Line
Washing your blueseventy wetsuit isn’t a chore; it’s part of the swimming ritual. A quick rinse after every swim, a gentle hand wash when needed, and a shady spot to air-dry will keep your suit performing the way it was designed to-swim after swim, season after season.
If a small tear or fingernail puncture does appear, a tube of quality neoprene cement (like the Aquaseal we stock) can get you back in the water. But day-to-day prevention starts with how you treat your suit the moment you unzip it.
Take care of your gear, and it will take care of you in the open water.
Want more pointers on suit fit and longevity? Dive into our Fitting & Wear Guide for step-by-step videos and pro tips.
Happy Swimming!
