Wetsuit TLC: The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Your Second Skin Fresh

Whether you’re chasing barrels, cruising mellow point breaks, or diving into chilly dawn patrols, your wetsuit is your trusty sidekick. But even legends like Rip Curl, Billabong, and O’Neill agree—your neoprene buddy needs some love to perform its best and last the distance. Here's the ultimate, surf-approved guide to wetsuit care that’s as fun as a clean set and as legit as a pro’s quiver.

1. Rinse and Repeat (Seriously, Every Time)

First rule of wetsuit club: rinse it after every session. Saltwater, sand, and grime are neoprene’s worst enemies. After you peel it off (bonus points if you don’t step on it), give it a good soak in fresh, cold water.

💡 Pro Tip: Never use hot water—it breaks down the glue and rubber faster than a reef break eats soft tops.

2. Shade Is Your Wetsuit’s Best Friend

Hanging your wetsuit in direct sun? Might as well kiss it goodbye. UV rays can crisp your suit like a stale chip. Instead, hang it in the shade and let it dry naturally.

🌥️ Rip Curl Says: Turn it inside out, hang it from the waist (not the shoulders), and once the inside’s dry, flip it back to dry the outside. Easy.

3. Ditch the Wire Hangers

We’re not airing out laundry here—your wetsuit is gear, not a T-shirt. Those skinny wire hangers will stretch out the shoulders faster than a crowded Sunday at Snapper.

🧥 O’Neill Recommends: Use a thick wetsuit hanger or fold it over a clean rod to avoid those dreaded shoulder wings.

4. Rolling > Folding

Got to stash it? Skip the fold. Creases are neoprene killers. Roll your wetsuit loosely like a sleeping bag, and you’ll dodge cracks, warps, and weird folds.

📦 Billabong Pro Insight: Keep it cool, dry, and laid out flat or rolled—never bunched or wedged into the back of your car.

5. Be Gentle, Legends

Treat your wetsuit like your favorite board—no yanking, no rough treatment. Pulling too hard when it’s wet or dragging it across the gravel? That’s a no-go.

🧼 Lay down a mat or towel when suiting up, and slide in like you’re suiting up for battle—because, let’s face it, you kinda are.

6. Clean It Like a Pro (But Not Too Much)

Yes, your wetsuit can smell like old bait after a few sessions. But resist the urge to toss it in the washing machine. Instead, give it a soak in cool water with a wetsuit-specific cleaner every now and then.

🚿 Rip Curl Wisdom: Skip harsh soaps and chemicals. Neoprene isn’t a fan of bleach, detergents, or that random body wash you got for Christmas. Instead use a product like Rip Curl Piss Off Wetsuit Wash 

7. Zip Care = No Snags

Your zip is the MVP of quick changes and warm cores. Keep it gliding smoothly by giving it a light rinse and the occasional rub with zipper lube (yep, that’s a thing).

⚙️ Bonus points if you work the zipper a few times after each rinse—it keeps it moving like a dream.

8. The No-No List (Read and Remember)

Just like surfing etiquette, there are hard rules in wetsuit care:

 ❌ No dryers
❌ No direct sunlight
❌ No hot water
❌ No ironing (seriously...)
❌ No bleach or regular detergent
❌ No car boots on a hot day

All three brands—Rip Curl, O’Neill, and Billabong—say the same thing: treat your suit right, and it’ll have your back for many seasons.

Final Wave: Respect the Rubber

Your wetsuit is more than just neoprene—it’s your armor, your insulation, your partner in crime when the swell's pumping and the wind is howling. Whether you’re rocking a steamer or a spring suit, giving it a little TLC means more sessions, fewer repairs, and more stoke.

So rinse it, dry it, store it right—and keep charging.

Want more gear care tips and surf wisdom? Stay tuned to Jungle Surf for the lowdown on everything from wetsuit tech to board hacks.