How to Wash a Wetsuit Properly (So It Doesn't End Up Smelling Like a Crime Scene)

There is a smell. You know the one. It hits you when you unzip the swim bag that's been sitting in the boot since last Saturday. It's somewhere between a forgotten gym towel and an aquarium that hasn't been cleaned since 2019. It's your kid's wetsuit, and it is trying to communicate something important: you need to wash me, and you needed to wash me three beach trips ago.

Wetsuit care is one of those things nobody tells you about when you buy one. You're so focused on getting the right size and thickness that the aftercare doesn't even cross your mind. Then six weeks later, you're holding a wetsuit at arm's length and wondering if it's salvageable or if you should just set it on fire in the backyard.

Good news: it's almost certainly salvageable. And keeping it fresh going forward is genuinely easy once you know the basics. Let's sort it out.

Why Wetsuits Smell (It's Not Just Salt Water)

That distinctive wetsuit stench isn't actually from the ocean. It's from bacteria. When your kid wears a wetsuit, it collects a cocktail of salt water, sweat, skin cells, sunscreen residue, and whatever else was floating around at the beach that day. Leave all of that to marinate in a warm, damp environment — say, a rolled-up bag in the back of your car — and bacteria absolutely thrive.

The bacteria break down the organic matter and produce that unmistakable funk. The longer you leave it, the deeper the bacteria colonise the rubber. This is true for all wetsuit materials, whether traditional neoprene or plant-based rubber like Yulex.

The solution is simple and boring: don't let the bacteria set up camp in the first place.

The Golden Rule: Rinse After Every Single Use

This is the one non-negotiable. Every time your kid wears their wetsuit, it needs a fresh water rinse before it goes anywhere near a bag. Every time. Yes, even if you're tired. Even if the kids are losing it in the car park. Even if you "just had it in for twenty minutes."

Here's what a post-swim rinse looks like:

1. Turn the wetsuit inside out
2. Run it under fresh water — a garden hose at home works perfectly, or the beach showers if they have decent pressure
3. Make sure you flush the inside thoroughly, where all the sweat and body oils collect
4. Hang it to drip dry before you put it away

That's it. Two minutes. This single habit will prevent about 90% of wetsuit stink problems and significantly extend the life of the suit. If you do nothing else from this entire article, do this.

How to Properly Wash a Wetsuit (The Deeper Clean)

Every few weeks — or after a particularly big beach day — your wetsuit deserves a proper wash. Not a machine wash (we'll get to that), but a gentle hand wash.

What you need:

• A bathtub, laundry tub, or large bucket
• Cool to lukewarm water (never hot)
• Wetsuit shampoo, baby shampoo, or a very mild detergent — a few drops is all you need

The method:

1. Fill your tub with cool or lukewarm water
2. Add a small amount of wetsuit shampoo or baby shampoo
3. Turn the wetsuit inside out and submerge it completely
4. Gently agitate it — knead it, swish it around, work the soapy water through the fabric
5. Let it soak for 15-20 minutes
6. Drain the soapy water and rinse thoroughly with fresh cool water
7. Gently squeeze out excess water (don't wring it — more on that below)

If you have an AVALY wetsuit made from Yulex plant-based rubber, the care process is exactly the same as for neoprene. Yulex is just as durable and responds to the same gentle cleaning. No special products required.

How to Dry a Wetsuit Without Ruining It

Never put a wetsuit in a dryer or hang it in direct sunlight — heat degrades the rubber. Hang it inside-out over a wide hanger or thick rail in the shade. Let one side dry, then flip it. Allow 24 to 48 hours for full drying. A well-ventilated shaded area like a covered patio works best.

Drying matters just as much as washing. Get this wrong and you'll either damage the material or create a new breeding ground for bacteria.

Do this:

• Hang it inside out first, then flip it and hang it right-side out once the inside is dry
• Dry it in the shade — a covered clothesline, a shaded area of the yard, or inside a well-ventilated garage
• Use a wide hanger or drape it over the line at the waist to avoid stretching the shoulders
• Make sure it's completely dry before storing it

Don't do this:

• Direct sunlight. UV degrades rubber over time — both neoprene and Yulex. A wetsuit left in the sun regularly will become stiff and brittle far sooner than it should
• Thin wire hangers. They create pressure points at the shoulders that stretch and deform the material
• The dryer. Not even on low. Not even "just to speed things up." No.

How to Store a Wetsuit

Store a completely dry wetsuit either hanging on a wide padded hanger or loosely folded on a shelf. Never use thin wire hangers which create permanent creases in the rubber. Keep it away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and sharp objects. A cool, dry cupboard or garage shelf is ideal for long-term storage.

Once it's completely dry, you have two good options:

Hanging: On a wide, padded hanger or a purpose-made wetsuit hanger. This is ideal for regular-use suits because it keeps the material relaxed and crease-free. Flat: Loosely folded or rolled and stored flat in a cool, dry place. Good for off-season storage.

What you absolutely do not want to do is crumple it into a ball and shove it in a cupboard, or leave it in a bag in the garage for three months. Creases become permanent weak points in the rubber, and trapped moisture means mould. Neither of those are problems you want to deal with.

What NOT to Do (The Wetsuit Care Crime List)

Let's be very clear about the things that will shorten your wetsuit's life dramatically:

• Washing machine: The agitation and spin cycle will damage seams, stretch panels, and generally destroy the suit. Hand wash only.
• Tumble dryer: Heat degrades rubber. Your wetsuit will come out stiff, warped, and one step closer to the bin.
• Hot water: Anything above lukewarm can weaken the glue in bonded seams and degrade the flexibility of the rubber.
• Direct sunlight for extended periods: Fine for a quick dry in dappled shade. Not fine draped over the back fence in the midday sun for eight hours.
• Leaving it in the car boot: A warm, sealed, dark environment is a bacterial paradise. Rinse it, dry it, then store it properly.
• Harsh detergents or bleach: These will break down the rubber and fabric lining. Stick to wetsuit shampoo, baby shampoo, or very mild detergent.
• Wringing it out: Twisting the material stresses the seams and can cause internal tears in the rubber. Squeeze gently instead.

Rescuing a Wetsuit That Already Smells Terrible

If you're reading this article because the damage is already done and your kid's wetsuit smells like it's been through something deeply traumatic, there's hope. The vinegar soak method works remarkably well.

The rescue mission:

1. Fill a bathtub or large tub with cool water
2. Add one cup of plain white vinegar
3. Turn the wetsuit inside out and submerge it fully
4. Let it soak for 30 minutes to an hour
5. Drain, then wash with wetsuit shampoo or baby shampoo as described above
6. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water
7. Hang to dry completely in the shade

The vinegar kills the bacteria causing the smell without damaging the rubber or fabric. You might need to repeat this once for a particularly committed stench, but most wetsuits come back to life after one treatment.

For truly extreme cases, dedicated wetsuit deodoriser products are available at most surf shops. They're essentially enzyme-based cleaners that break down the organic matter bacteria feed on.

How Often Should You Deep Clean?

Deep clean your child's wetsuit once a month during regular use, or every 10 to 15 sessions. Use a wetsuit-specific cleaner in a tub of cool fresh water, soak for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Between deep cleans, a thorough fresh water rinse after every single use is the most important habit.

A rough guide:

• Fresh water rinse: After every single use. Non-negotiable.
• Proper shampoo wash: Every 4-6 uses, or whenever the suit starts to feel slimy on the inside.
• Vinegar soak: Only when things have gone sideways, smell-wise. This is the emergency protocol, not routine maintenance.

For AVALY wetsuits and other Yulex-based suits, this schedule keeps the plant-based rubber in great condition for years. Proper care is genuinely the difference between a wetsuit that lasts two seasons and one that lasts five or more — which matters even more when you're investing in sustainable materials.

The Quick-Reference Wetsuit Care Checklist

For the fridge, the notes app, or wherever you keep things you'll actually look at:

• After every swim: Rinse inside out with fresh water. Hang to dry in the shade. Do not leave in the car.
• Every few weeks: Hand wash in cool water with wetsuit shampoo or baby shampoo. Soak 15-20 minutes. Rinse well.
• For storage: Hang on a wide hanger or store flat. Keep it dry, cool, and out of direct sunlight.
• Never: Washing machine, dryer, hot water, bleach, direct sun, or the crumple-and-shove method.
• If it stinks: Vinegar soak (one cup white vinegar in cool water, 30-60 minutes), then wash and dry as normal.

Wetsuit care is not exciting. Nobody has ever described rinsing a wetsuit as the highlight of their beach day. But two minutes of rinsing after each swim saves you from the moment where you open the bag, recoil in horror, and seriously consider whether $120 is worth spending on a replacement when the current one is technically still intact.

Your future self — the one who doesn't have to hold their breath while helping a child into a wetsuit — will be very grateful.

FAQ

Can I put a wetsuit in the washing machine on a gentle cycle?

No. Even a gentle cycle creates more agitation and stress on the seams and rubber than a wetsuit is designed to handle. The spin cycle is particularly damaging. Hand washing in a tub takes the same amount of time and won't wreck your suit. It's always a hand wash, no exceptions.

How do I get sunscreen stains out of a wetsuit?

Sunscreen residue usually comes out during a normal wash with wetsuit shampoo or baby shampoo. For stubborn marks, let the suit soak a little longer (up to 30 minutes) and gently rub the stained area with your fingers. Avoid scrubbing brushes or abrasive cleaners — they'll damage the fabric lining.

Is wetsuit care different for Yulex or plant-based rubber compared to neoprene?

The day-to-day care is identical. Rinse with fresh water after every use, hand wash periodically, dry in the shade, store properly. Yulex plant-based rubber, like the material used in AVALY wetsuits, has the same durability and care requirements as traditional neoprene. The difference is in how it's made and what happens at end of life, not in how you look after it.

My kid's wetsuit smells fine but feels slimy inside. What's going on?

That sliminess is a biofilm — a layer of bacteria and organic residue building up on the interior fabric. It's the early warning system before the smell arrives. Give it a proper wash with wetsuit shampoo, making sure to turn it inside out and soak it for 15-20 minutes. The sliminess should come right off.

How long should a well-maintained kids wetsuit last?

With proper care — consistent rinsing, periodic washing, correct drying and storage — a quality kids wetsuit should last 2-4 seasons of regular use, or longer if your child isn't growing out of it. The most common reason wetsuits fail prematurely isn't material breakdown from use; it's material breakdown from neglect. The care routine in this guide genuinely makes the difference.