Best wetsuit cleaners: How to effectively wash your wetsuit

The dreaded wetsuit funk is inevitable, but thankfully avoidable with the help of wetsuit cleaners. To really take care of your wetsuit and ensure its longevity, you should be regularly using a reliable wetsuit cleaner.

We’ve all been hit with a waft of nasty dampness after opening a kit bag full of salty and smelly neoprene gear, so using a specialised wetsuit shampoo now and then is a handy solution to a stinky problem.

Cleaning your wetsuit with wetsuit cleaner can also help increase its lifespan, and many cleaning solutions aim to keep your triathlon neoprene gear in a stretchy, supple and flexible state.

In our list, you’ll find a range of bottle sizes so you can decide if you want a neat travel size, or a large bottle that’ll keep you going for a long time. We’ve selected our items through in-depth research and analysis of user reviews.

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1. Rip Curl Piss Off Wetsuit Detergent

• $13 / £9.99

This wetsuit cleaner from Rip Curl is biodegradable, so it shouldn’t contain any unwanted nasty chemicals that could harm the environment.

Designed for a range of neoprene equipment – including wetsuits, gloves, boots and hoods – you should find plenty of uses for this useful product. At 250ml, it’s a fairly neat size, so you can easily chuck it in your kit bag and wash on the go if necessary.

As well as keeping your equipment fresh, it’s designed to ensure your wetsuit remains stretchy too. It also claims you don’t need to rinse, so it’s a quick and faff-free choice.

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2. McNett Wet and Dry Wetsuit Shampoo

• $10.95 / £9.99

Designed to remove salt deposits, chlorine and organic residue, this wetsuit shampoo should keep your wetsuit in good condition.

Again, it’s said to be suitable for all neoprene water sports equipment and you can use it on your dry suit too if you’re a kayaking fan.

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3. Coco Loco Wetsuit Cleaner

• £29.99 (UK only)

If you want to bulk buy, this five-litre option is sure to last a while. Its decent size makes it a solid choice for keeping in the back of your car, so you can wash on the go.

Described as a neutral cleaner and deodoriser, this wetsuit cleaner claims to be both biodegradable and non-toxic.

The Coco Loco wetsuit cleaner is made with eucalyptus oil and it’s designed to remove salt, chlorine and organic residue from your neoprene gear.

It contains organic live cultures to tackle odour-causing bacteria and help you can get rid of any unpleasant whiffs.

Just add a few capfuls of solution to your bucket, or bath, of water and slosh your suit around for five minutes, then hang it to dry.

4. Jaws Slosh Wetsuit Shampoo

• $10.95 / £6.95

Another biodegradable option, this Slosh wetsuit shampoo promises a fresh scent. There’s both a 30ml and 118ml option, so you can opt for a tiny travel size if you’re heading off for a race and are looking to pack light.

It also claims to be suitable for dry suits, scuba gear and even ski gear, so it’s sure to come in handy whatever your water or snow sport of choice.

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5. O’Neill Wetsuit Cleaner

• $17.95 / £14.50

For a larger size that can see you through plenty of training sessions, this 250ml bottle of wetsuit cleaner could do the job nicely.

You just need a couple of capfuls, and you should rinse your wetsuit with clean water after using this one. It’s another pick offering a pleasant smell, and it’s said to keep your kit in supple condition, too.

6. Gear Aid Revivex Wetsuit and Drysuit Shampoo

• $9.95 / £7.99

This wetsuit shampoo is a bit of an all-rounder, as you can use it on fishing waders, water shoes and gloves in addition to your wetsuit.

It aims to remove the organic bacteria that causes unpleasant smells and neutralise chlorine and salt deposits in order to protect the neoprene. So it’s a handy choice, wherever you choose to swim and train.

Rather than a plastic bottle, it comes in a squishy pouch. You can use this wetsuit shampoo for heavily soiled areas too.

Features to look out for in a wetsuit cleaner

Eco-friendly and biodegradable: Avoid harsh, toxic chemicals that can be harmful to marine life, sensitive skin, and the longevity of the neoprene.

Antibacterial: Look for a detergent that aims to remove build-up of bacteria, mould, and mildew. It should also tackle the nasty smalls caused by a combination of sweat and salt.

Gentle: The wetsuit shampoo should preserve neoprene elasticity and avoid degrading seams, stitching, or wetsuit glue.

Fresh scent: If you like a scented shampoo, look for an option that leaves the suit fresh smelling, some detergents have mint or citrus scents.

Concentrated: A wetsuit cleaner that’s concentrated will likely be better value for money and long-lasting. Look for options that can be diluted for the most cost-effective purchase.

Multipurpose: Many wetsuit cleaners will also be designed to be able to clean other gear like drysuits, wetsuit caps, booties, and rash guards. Look for an all-in-one cleaner that can look after all your water sports gear.

How do you wash a wetsuit at home?

Start by rinsing your wetsuit in fresh water to remove the salt. Do this by showering off with clean water immediately after use, if possible.

You can now wash your wetsuit properly with the correct shampoo/detergent. Use a large bucket, container, or even a bath. Drop the specified amount of solution into water, mix, and fully submerge your wetsuit.

Most soaking times are generally around the 10-minute mark and you can knead it too, like you would for a normal hand clothes wash, for a thorough clean. Just be careful not to pull and scratch at the delicate fabric.

Check instructions to find out whether rinsing is required as products vary.

Should you wash a wetsuit inside out?

Though you can wash your wetsuit the right way round and won’t be more likely to damage it this way, it’s best to wash a wetsuit inside out as it’s the inner that will have the most accumulated sweat and bacteria.

Gentle turn your suit inside out (ensure your nails are not long or you’re wearing gloves to avoid damage), and submerge it fully in warm but not boiling water.

Massage in your chosen wetsuit cleaner, focusing on one section at a time. Follow the instructions on the bottle and dry as instructed below.

Can you rinse and spin a wetsuit?

It’s best to avoid washing machine use, as hot water and fast spin cycles can damage neoprene. Though it’s absolutely fine to hand wash a suit in warm water, boiling hot water can damage the integrity of a suit.

Treat it like your favourite pair of undies, and stick to hand washing just to be safe!

How to dry a wetsuit

For the best care, hang dry your beloved wetsuit. Using a wetsuit hanger, double your wetsuit over at the waist. This prevents it from becoming misshapen and over-stretched.

Try to dry your wetsuit in an airy and shaded area out of direct sunlight. If you’ve got the space, and easy-going flatmates, you could hang it in your bathroom.

Make sure that your wetsuit is in an environment where it can dry within 48-hours of using it, otherwise the damp and humidity can start to fester and smell funky, even if it’s clean.

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