Best Wetsuit Cleaner Products

Why a Real Wetsuit Cleaner Matters

If your suit smells like a locker room after a few sessions, you are not alone. Salt, sweat, sunscreen, and the odd warm-up moment all soak into the neoprene, and ocean water alone does not rinse it out. That is where a proper wetsuit cleaner earns its keep. A good cleaner breaks down bacteria and body oils without stripping the rubber, so your suit stays stretchy and lasts season after season. The wrong stuff does the opposite. Regular laundry detergent, hot water, and bleach all feel like they should work, but they dry out the neoprene, crack the seams, and shorten the life of a suit you paid real money for. The best wetsuit cleaner products share three traits: they are made for neoprene, they neutralize odor instead of masking it, and they need nothing more than a cold-water soak. Get those three right and your suit thanks you with years of comfortable paddles. In this guide we walk through the cleaners worth your time, how to use them, and the small storage habits that matter just as much as the soap.

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Surfer rinsing a wetsuit with cleaner in a bucket of cold water

A cold-water soak with the right cleaner does more than a quick hose rinse ever will.

Best Wetsuit Cleaner Products, Ranked by What They Do Well

Dedicated neoprene wash (enzyme-based). Enzyme cleaners eat the bacteria causing the smell rather than covering it. Best all-round pick for regular surfers. Look for a pH-neutral formula and a cold-water soak time of 15 to 20 minutes.

Anti-bacterial wetsuit shampoo. A step up if your suit has gone past funky into truly ripe. Stronger on odor, still gentle on seams. Use it once a month, not every session, so you do not overdo it.

Tea tree or eucalyptus natural soak. A milder, plant-based option for sensitive skin and lighter use. It will not rescue a badly neglected suit, but for weekly upkeep it works and smells clean without being harsh.

Conditioning rinse. Not a cleaner on its own, but pairs with one. It keeps the neoprene supple and helps zips and seams move freely. Handy for older suits that have started to feel stiff.

Plain cold fresh water. Free, and still the most important step. Rinse after every single session. Save the real cleaner for once a week or whenever the smell shows up.

How to Clean Your Wetsuit the Right Way

Start with the water temperature, because this is where most people go wrong. Always use cold or lukewarm water. Hot water feels like it cleans better, but it relaxes the glue in the seams and the suit never fully recovers. Fill a tub or bucket, add the recommended amount of cleaner, and let the suit soak inside out for around 15 minutes. No scrubbing, no wringing. Gently move it around, then rinse with fresh cold water until the suds are gone. Drying is the other half of the job. Hang it inside out, in the shade, on a wide hanger so the shoulders do not stretch into points. Direct sun is the enemy. UV breaks down neoprene faster than almost anything else. Once the inside is dry, flip it and dry the outside. The smarter move is to not let salt and damp sit in the first place. Carry your suit home in a waterproof bag instead of a soggy plastic sack on the car floor, and you cut the bacteria problem off before it starts. Clean gear plus dry transport is the whole secret.

Common Questions

Can I use regular soap or laundry detergent on my wetsuit?

Better not to. Household detergents and bleach strip the oils from neoprene and dry out the seams, which leads to cracks and a shorter lifespan. A cleaner made for wetsuits is gentle on the rubber and still gets rid of the smell.

How often should I use a wetsuit cleaner?

Rinse with cold fresh water after every session, and use an actual wetsuit cleaner about once a week, or any time the suit starts to smell. Cleaning too often with strong products can wear the neoprene down, so there is no need to overdo it.

How do I get the bad smell out of an old wetsuit?

Soak it inside out in cold water with an enzyme-based or anti-bacterial wetsuit cleaner for around 20 minutes, rinse well, then dry it fully in the shade. The smell comes from bacteria, so the suit has to dry completely or it comes straight back.

Does the way I store my wetsuit affect the smell?

A lot, yes. Leaving a wet suit balled up in a bag or car boot is what breeds the bacteria in the first place. Hang it to dry after every surf, and use a waterproof bag for transport so it is not sitting in its own damp for hours.

Keep the Smell Out Before It Starts

The cleanest suit still ends up funky if it rides home soaking wet in a plastic bag. The Dry Bag keeps your wet gear contained and your car dry, so cleaning day is quick instead of a rescue mission. Pair it with a weekly soak and your suit stays fresh for years.

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