Washing wetsuits in the washing machine

[fookisan]

..
..
..

Recently I have been washing my 3 mm wetsuits in the washing machine with it set on gentle and only using half the normal detergent with double water rinses. I contacted many wetsuit manufactures and got all sorts of different replies on how to wash them. Used to wash in the tub - a rinse more than a wash - with special wetsuit cleaner. Got sick of this so wanted to try a new way. Most of the time I dive fresh water.

Any idea if this is good or bad in the long run?

 

[Hawkeye Mark]

I have been doing this for several years. No seeming adverse affect to wetsuit. Some people say you should not do it. Run on gentle. and then hang up afterwards.

 

[Don Burke]

Recently I have been washing my 3 mm wetsuits in the washing machine with it set on gentle and only using half the normal detergent with double water rinses. I contacted many wetsuit manufactures and got all sorts of different replies on how to wash them. Used to wash in the tub - a rinse more than a wash - with special wetsuit cleaner. Got sick of this so wanted to try a new way. Most of the time I dive fresh water.

Any idea if this is good or bad in the long run?

I soak mine in a 44 gallon trashcan dedicated to that purpose.

If the suit is especially funky, the gentle cycle with about one quarter normal detergent and cold water seems to do the trick. I suspect I lose a little bit of suit life this way, so I only do it about once a year.

 

[texdiveguy]

I dive FW and only wash my suit/boots after several dives (in the washing machine)...other dives I rinse off with a garden hose and dry outside in the shade.

 

[jdr159]

I"ve been washing all our wetsuits (4 total) like that for 10+ years. I haven't seen any damage to the suits. All suits are 3mm.