One of the most frequently asked questions by divers in scuba equipment maintenance forums is “How do I get rid of that foul odor from my wetsuit?”

A wetsuit’s design doesn’t work like cotton or fabric outerwear that breathes well in the open air. Neoprene contains tiny bubbles that trap the air inside the wetsuit and insulates divers against the elements. They also trap sweat, urine, bacteria, and other undesirable substances. These toxic elements make keeping an odor-free wetsuit a never-ending challenge.

Luckily, we’re here to help you keep that “wetsuit smell” away with some tips and products that you can use in cleaning (and caring) for your scuba suit….

Why does your wetsuit smell funky?

If your wetsuit is exceptionally malodorous, there are two possible reasons for the stench: 

Leaving your wetsuit in a bag, a bin, or any other closed environment and not washing it after use; or

Sweat, body oils, and odors coming from the body. (These elements get trapped inside your suit as scuba diving, snorkeling, and other watersports causes us to sweat a lot.)

How should you clean a smelly wetsuit?

Now that we’ve tackled what makes your wetsuit smell, it’s time to discuss wetsuit cleaning. Here are a few essential steps you should do in cleaning your trusty suit.

Can you wash a wetsuit in the washing machine?

Generally, you shouldn’t wash your suit in your washing machine since the latter can damage your wetsuit. Don’t use detergent. Don’t use hot water. Air dry your wetsuit.

Once you’ve washed your wetsuit, you’ll need to air it out, or the water inside the neoprene will turn stagnant and stinky. Hang your suit inside out in a well-ventilated area. Turn your suit right side in once this section is dry, then dry the outside.

Also, keep in mind that your wetsuit won’t last long with UV exposure. So don’t leave it to dry in the sun.