Wetsuit Care and Storage

Wetsuit care and storage guide

A well-cared-for wetsuit lasts five or more seasons. A neglected one is done in two. The difference almost always comes down to three habits: rinsing in fresh water after every session, hanging properly to dry, and cleaning regularly. Here's the full routine and the gear that makes it easy.

Rinse after every session — the most important step

Salt water left sitting in neoprene degrades the material significantly faster than salt water that gets rinsed out. The goal is to rinse your wetsuit before you even leave the parking lot — while the salt is still dissolved and not yet dried into the neoprene. A portable rinse tank makes this possible at any break, regardless of whether there are shower facilities.

The Block Surf Shower Tank is a pressurised portable shower that provides enough fresh water for a full wetsuit rinse. Fill it at home, pressurize with the included pump, and you have a usable shower at the car. The Water Buddha Post Surf Shower Kit is a gravity-fed alternative — simpler, no pressurization needed, ideal for anyone who wants the most low-maintenance option. Both live in the back of your car and become a natural part of the post-surf routine.

Hanging — do it right

Never fold a wetsuit. Folding creates sharp creases that become weak points in the neoprene over time. Always hang your wetsuit inside-out on a wide-shoulder wetsuit hanger that distributes the weight of the suit evenly. A narrow hanger creates a pressure point at the fold and will distort the suit over time. The HangPro Wetsuit Hanger is built specifically for wetsuits — wide shoulder profile, rust-proof construction, and ventilated to allow airflow through the drying suit. For booties, a dedicated bootie hanger keeps them ventilated and off the floor, preventing the odour that builds up in booties stored flat.

Cleaning — every 5 to 10 sessions

Salt, bacteria, and organic material from the ocean build up in neoprene and lining over time. The result is odour, degraded lining, and a suit that feels less comfortable than it should. A wetsuit-specific cleaner removes all of this without attacking the neoprene or lining. Never use dish soap or laundry detergent — both strip the natural oils from neoprene and degrade it. The routine is simple: fill a tub or bucket with clean water, add the recommended amount of wetsuit cleaner, submerge the suit inside-out, gently agitate, soak for 15 minutes, rinse thoroughly, and hang to dry.

Repair — act immediately on small damage

A small tear becomes a large tear fast once water starts working into the neoprene. Neoprene cement fixes most small tears, delamination, and seam separations at home. Apply cement to both surfaces, let it cure to the touch for around 5 minutes, press firmly together, and hold under pressure for several hours. Leave overnight before getting back in the water. Repair patches cover larger damage and can reinforce high-wear areas like the knees and chest entry panel before damage develops.

Dry bags for transport

A dry bag or wet/dry bag keeps a soaking wetsuit contained in your car. Some changing mats — the cinch-bag style — do this job without needing a separate bag. For surfers who want a dedicated bag, we carry options from 25L to 30L. Browse wetsuit changing mats for the cinch-bag mat option.

Storage between sessions

Store your wetsuit hanging, not folded, in a cool and dry location out of direct sunlight. UV degrades neoprene faster than almost anything else. A garage or closet is ideal. A hot car is the worst option — both the UV through the windows and the heat build-up accelerate degradation significantly.

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