How To Dry A Wetsuit Properly: The Ultimate Gear Preservation Guide

Improperly drying a wetsuit can permanently degrade neoprene elasticity, promote stubborn microbial growth, and break down vital glued and blind-stitched seams. By mastering the sequence of rinsing, turning, hanging, and storing, you can extend the operational lifespan of your neoprene gear by up to three years while maintaining maximum thermal efficiency.

Pre-Operation & Equipment Checklist

Drying a wetsuit effectively is the final, critical stage of post-session maintenance that prevents the accumulation of salt crystals, chlorine, and organic residues. Neoprene is a closed-cell polychloroprene foam that reacts poorly to environmental stressors like ultraviolet radiation and excessive heat, meaning that casual or haphazard drying methods will rapidly compromise its structural integrity.

• Essential Gear & Tools: Heavy-duty wide plastic or rubberized wetsuit hanger, fresh municipal tap water, a dedicated technical wetsuit shampoo or antibacterial cleanser, and a well-ventilated, shaded drying area.
• Mandatory Prerequisite Standards: Complete elimination of saltwater and sand residue before hanging, absolute avoidance of wire hangers that can deform shoulder panels, and complete protection from direct sunlight.
• Duration & Environmental Benchmarks: Total drying time typically ranges from 24 to 48 hours depending on neoprene thickness (ranging from 2mm tropical variants to 6mm cold-water steamers) and ambient humidity levels.

Step-by-Step Wetsuit Drying Workflow

Step 1: Post-Session Rinse and Decontamination

1. Immediately submerge your wetsuit in a large basin or clean tub filled with cold or lukewarm fresh water. Never use hot water, as temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) will melt the glue laminates and ruin the nylon or polyester inner and outer jersey linings.
2. Agitate the suit thoroughly to flush out sweat, urine, salt crystals, and microscopic organic matter from the interior lining and exterior skin.
3. If the suit has been exposed to heavy saltwater or pool chlorine, add a specialized neoprene shampoo to neutralize chemical residues and eliminate odor-causing bacteria. Rinse thoroughly with clean fresh water after washing.

Warning: Never use standard household laundry detergents, bleach, fabric softeners, or dish soap to wash your wetsuit. These harsh chemical agents strip the natural oils from the neoprene, dissolve bonding glues, and cause rapid material stiffening.

Step 2: The Inside-Out Hanging Technique

1. Hang the wetsuit inside out for the initial drying phase. The interior plush or thermal lining retains moisture far longer than the smoothskin or nylon exterior, so exposing the wettest side to the circulating air accelerates the overall drying timeline.
2. Drape the wetsuit evenly over the center bar of a specialized wide wetsuit hanger, or use a hanger designed to support the suit at the waist or the fold of the shoulders.
3. Ensure the arms and legs are fully extended and free from major folds or creases that trap moisture and slow down air circulation.

Pro-Tip: Avoid standard wire coat hangers at all costs. The thin gauge creates heavy pressure points that stretch out the shoulder and neck neoprene panels, permanently warping the fit and letting in cold water during future sessions.

Step 3: Flipping and Exterior Drying

1. After 12 to 24 hours, check the moisture levels of the interior lining. Once the inside is completely dry to the touch, carefully peel the wetsuit right-side out.
2. Re-hang the suit on the wide hanger to allow the exterior nylon or smoothskin panels to finish drying completely.
3. Confirm that gussets, underarms, and the crotch area—the thickest convergence points of seams and panels—are completely free of dampness before removing the suit from the drying area.

Step 4: Long-Term Storage Positioning

1. Remove the fully dried wetsuit from the hanging location to prevent gravity-induced shoulder stretching during storage.
2. Fold the wetsuit loosely at the waist, placing it flat in a cool, dry closet, or store it draped smoothly over a wide-bar hanger in a temperature-controlled environment.
3. Keep the suit away from ozone-generating appliances such as electric motors, furnaces, or unventilated garage spaces where chemical fumes can degrade the rubber compounds.

Neoprene Material Properties and Drying Parameters

Common Wetsuit Drying Failures and Field Fixes

• Root Cause: Hanging the wetsuit outdoors in direct, intense sunlight to speed up the process.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Immediately relocate the suit to a shaded, covered porch or indoor room. UV radiation breaks down the elastomeric bonds in neoprene, causing it to crack, fade, and lose its stretch memory.
• Root Cause: Draping a soaking wet, heavy fullsuit directly over a thin wire hanger or a narrow clothesline rope.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Replace the hanging apparatus with a contoured, thick plastic shoulder hanger or fold the suit evenly across a waist-support bar to distribute the heavy water weight.
• Root Cause: Storing the wetsuit in a damp, unventilated gear bag while still slightly moist after a session.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Hang the suit immediately upon returning home. If mildew or musty odors develop, wash the suit in a basin mixed with a cup of white vinegar and water, then dry completely in a well-ventilated space.
• Root Cause: Using a standard household clothes dryer or placing the wetsuit near a space heater, wood stove, or radiator.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Allow the suit to dry exclusively via ambient air circulation at room temperature. Heat sources permanently melt neoprene foam and ruin glued seam tape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a hair dryer or clothes dryer to speed up wetsuit drying?

No, using any artificial heat source like a clothes dryer, hair dryer, or heater will instantly destroy a wetsuit. High heat melts the petroleum-based neoprene cell structure and dissolves the proprietary adhesives used to seal the seams, rendering the suit useless.

Why does my wetsuit smell musty even after drying?

Musty odors are caused by trapped bacterial and fungal growth that survived because the suit took too long to dry or was stored while damp. Combat this by soaking the suit in a specialized enzymatic wetsuit cleaner or a mild solution of baby shampoo and warm water, followed by complete air drying in a high-airflow area.

Should I store my wetsuit folded or hanging up?

While hanging is fine for short intervals, long-term hanging places continuous stress on the shoulder panels and can stretch the neoprene out of shape. For extended storage periods, fold the wetsuit loosely at the waist and lay it flat in a dry, temperature-stable environment.

Is it okay to leave my wetsuit inside-out permanently?

Leaving a wetsuit inside out during storage exposes the thermal fleece or plush lining to dust and debris while putting the outer smoothskin or nylon shell at a disadvantage. Always flip the suit right-side out once both sides are completely dry and you are preparing it for storage or your next session.

Maximize the performance and lifespan of your gear by outfitting your maintenance routine with professional-grade cleaning solutions and proper drying accessories today.