Drysuit Maintenance

Drysuit Care and Cleaning

Always wash the Drysuit after each dive with fresh water. Never use solvents since they may attack the fabrics, glues and fasteners.

Fresh water is all that is normally needed to clean your Drysuit, though you may use a mild detergent liquid diluted in fresh water or a commercial Drysuit conditioner in the final rinse to inhibit the growth of mould or mildew and to keep the Drysuit fresh and odour-free.

Cleaning is especially recommended immediately after use in a chlorinated pool, as chlorinated water will quickly break down rubbers and plastics. Most manufacturers also recommend regular an annual servicing consisting of cleaning, inspection, pressure testing and lubrication of specified parts.

The best way to prevent the growth of harmful moulds and bacteria is to use the Drysuit frequently in salt water. Salt water effectively inhibits the growth of fungus and moulds and most materials used in the Drysuit are impervious to salt water. However, once evaporated salt water will leave salt crystals some large enough to act like pieces of glass and tear seals. A good rinse will eliminate this.

The valves on a drysuit also need extra TLC. The inlet valve may not always require rinsing. Just rinse with the suit, occasionally removing it from the suit and soaking in fresh water. If the inlet leaks at any given point be sure to rinse it well in running water to make sure it is salt & sand free for your next dive. The exhaust valve should be soaked in fresh water after every use. To make sure it is working properly before placing it back into the suit, close the valve all the way and suck on the back to be sure no air is coming through. If so, it may need servicing. That is something we would be happy to do for you while you wait.

If you want to give your suit some extra care, there are various products available to protect and prolong the life of the seals and zips.

If you are ever in doubt on how to safely disassemble and re-assemble any part of your equipment, don't do it. Let a professional do it for you.

* Add 10% when fitting to neoprene suits

Repairs completed off site. Please add £18.00 postage per drysuit.