The best way to clean a neoprene wetsuit is to rinse it in cool fresh water after every swim and wash it by hand with a mild cleaner when it starts to hold odor or residue. This routine protects the neoprene and the glued seams. It also keeps a suit from becoming stiff or sour between sessions.
blueseventy wetsuits use Yamamoto neoprene in 38, 39, and 40 cell grades. Higher cell numbers mean more flexibility. A clean suit flexes the way it should. Salt, chlorine, sunscreen, body oil, and lake sediment sit against the material after a swim. Rinsing them out before they dry is the single most useful cleaning step you can take.
Rinse after every swim
Rinse the outside of the suit first. Use cool or lukewarm fresh water from a hose, shower, or sink. Hot water isn't needed and can stress the neoprene. Then turn the suit inside out and rinse the interior thoroughly. The inside holds the most sweat, body oil, and sunscreen.
Pay attention to the neck, underarms, and lower legs. These areas collect product residue. Let water run through the zipper area, but don't force the zipper open or closed while the suit is coated in grit.
Don't wring or twist the suit. Squeeze it gently from the shoulders down to the ankles. That removes excess water without pulling on the seams.
Wash by hand when the suit needs it
After several swims, especially in chlorinated pools or after long saltwater sessions, a rinse alone leaves behind a film. Wash the suit by hand when the interior feels slick, looks dull, or holds a smell.
Fill a clean tub or sink with cool water. Add a wetsuit cleaner or a small amount of mild soap. Turn the suit inside out and submerge it. Work suds through the fabric with your hands, focusing on the neck, armpits, and crotch. Rinse in cool water until the water runs clear.
Don't machine wash a blueseventy wetsuit. The agitation and spin cycle put stress on thin shoulder panels, glued seams, and the zipper. Avoid these:
- Machine washing
- Dry cleaning
- Ironing
- Fabric softener
Fabric softener coats the neoprene and can reduce its flexibility.
Dry it without stretching the shoulders
Dry the suit inside out first. Once the interior feels dry to the touch, turn it right side out to finish drying. Lay it flat on a towel or drape it over a wide, rounded rail. If you hang it, use a wide hanger that supports the full width of the shoulders. Never hang a wet wetsuit by the neck or by a narrow hook. Wet neoprene is heavy and will stretch or crease.
Keep the suit out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, dryers, and radiators. UV and concentrated heat break down neoprene over time. Air drying in a shaded, ventilated spot is enough.
Store it flat and completely dry
Wait until the suit is completely dry before putting it away. Store it flat or lightly folded in a cool, dry place. Avoid sharp folds that crease the neoprene. Don't leave it in a hot car trunk, a closed plastic bag, or next to pool chemicals.
For a blueseventy suit, a little care at this stage protects the thin neoprene in the arms and shoulders on the Helix and Reaction models. It also protects the zirconium jersey lining on the Thermal Reaction.
Repair small damage while it is small
A clean, dry suit is also easier to repair. If you catch a fingernail puncture or tear while putting the suit on, let the area dry completely, then use Aquaseal neoprene cement. Follow the directions and give the repair time to cure before the next swim. For larger tears or zipper damage, contact blueseventy support at us@blueseventy.com.
The warranty covers manufacturing and material defects for one year from the original owner. It doesn't cover fingernail punctures, heel tears, or zipper damage from force. Cleaning the suit after each swim doesn't change that coverage, but it helps you catch small damage before it spreads. Happy swimming.
