That pong when you unzip your wetsuit after a session is more than a bit unpleasant. If you’re wondering how to stop wetsuit odour, the answer is usually not stronger deodoriser or a last-minute rinse before the next surf. It comes down to what happens in the first hour after you leave the beach.
A wetsuit holds onto saltwater, sand, skin oils and moisture in its seams and lining. Leave it bundled in the boot of the car, a damp surf bag or a shady heap in the laundry, and bacteria get a comfy place to multiply. The good news is that a few straightforward habits will keep your neoprene fresher, help it last longer and make early winter dawn patrols a lot more pleasant.
Why wetsuits start to smell
Wetsuit odour is usually a moisture problem, not a sign that your suit is done for. Warm, damp neoprene is the perfect environment for bacteria and mildew, especially when it is left folded or turned the same way for days. Salt crystals and fine sand can also sit in the fabric, making the suit feel rougher and stopping it from drying properly.
Urine gets blamed for every smelly wetsuit, and fair enough - it can add to the problem. But even surfers who never wee in their suit can end up with a stink if they do not rinse and dry it well. Sweat, sunscreen, wax residue and the murky water from a river mouth or crowded lineup all build up over time.
The aim is not to make a wetsuit smell like a laundry aisle. Neoprene has its own scent, particularly when it is new. You are trying to prevent that sour, musty smell that sticks to your hands, your car and everyone within a few metres of the change mat.
How to stop wetsuit odour: the after-surf routine
The best routine is the one you can stick to when you are tired, sandy and keen for food. Start by rinsing your wetsuit with clean, cool fresh water as soon as practical after every surf. A hose at home is ideal. If you are driving a while from the beach, a quick freshwater rinse at a shower before you head off is a good move, then give it a more thorough rinse when you get home.
Turn the suit inside out first. The inner lining spends the session against your skin and generally holds the most sweat, sunscreen and moisture. Run water through the chest, underarms, crotch, knees, ankles and cuffs. These areas dry slowly and are where odour often starts.
Do not just splash the outside and call it done. Open the neck and flush water through the suit so any sand and salt can escape. There is no need to scrub aggressively. A gentle squeeze through the lining is enough to help rinse out trapped water without stretching the neoprene.
Then dry it properly. Hang the wetsuit inside out in a cool, shaded spot with good airflow. Direct, blazing sun can make neoprene brittle over time, while heaters and hot garages can damage glues and seam tape. A broad wetsuit hanger, a purpose-made drying hanger or a rail that supports the suit around the waist will reduce stretching around the shoulders.
Once the lining is dry, turn it right-side out and let the outer layer finish drying too. This extra step is one of the biggest differences between a suit that stays fresh and one that never quite loses that damp smell. It takes a little longer, but it is worth it.
The habits that make the biggest difference
A wetsuit should never live permanently in the boot, surf bag or a sealed plastic tub. Even if it feels mostly dry, trapped humidity can bring the pong back quickly. If you need to transport it wet, get it out as soon as you arrive home.
Avoid drying it over a fence in full sun all afternoon, draping it on a hot clothesline, or putting it through a dryer. High heat is hard on neoprene, glue and flexible linings. The same goes for washing machines. The spinning, rubbing and hot-water settings can distort panels and shorten the life of a quality suit.
It is also worth keeping your changing gear clean. A wet towel, dirty surf poncho or soggy board bag can transfer smells straight back onto a freshly rinsed wetsuit. Give these a wash or proper air-out regularly, particularly if they spend most of the week in the car.
For families with a few wetsuits on the go, label the hangers or give everyone their own drying spot. Kids’ suits are often bundled up after lessons or Nippers, and they can become whiffy fast. A simple rinse-and-hang rule saves a lot of nagging later.
What to use when your wetsuit already smells
If the odour has set in, do not panic and reach for bleach, household disinfectant or heavily perfumed washing liquid. These can strip the suit’s materials, irritate your skin or leave a residue that is just as unpleasant in the water.
Instead, fill a clean tub with cool or lukewarm fresh water and use a cleaner made specifically for wetsuits. Follow the directions on the bottle and the care label inside your suit, as formulas and recommended soak times vary. These cleaners are designed to lift salt, body oils and bacteria without being too harsh on neoprene and its glues.
Let the suit soak for the recommended time, gently work the water through the lining, then rinse it very thoroughly. Any cleaner left behind can cause skin irritation or create its own stale smell. Dry it inside out in the shade, turn it through when that side is dry, and allow plenty of time before storing it.
For a suit with stubborn mildew-like odour, repeat the process rather than making the mix stronger. If the smell remains after a couple of proper cleans, inspect the suit closely. Check the seams, lining and any areas where water seems trapped. A suit that is old, damaged or always stored damp may need professional repair advice or, eventually, replacing.
Store your wetsuit dry, not just dry-ish
Before putting your wetsuit away for more than a day or two, make sure both sides are fully dry to the touch. Feel inside the arms, behind the knees, around the chest zip and along sealed seams. Those spots can stay damp long after the main panels feel dry.
Store the suit hanging in a cool, ventilated area away from direct sunlight. If hanging space is tight, fold it loosely only when it is completely dry and avoid putting heavy gear on top. Do not leave it crammed under boards, towels and leg ropes in the garage. Creases can weaken neoprene over time, and poor airflow invites the same odour problem back.
In wet Newcastle and Lake Macquarie weather, drying can take longer than you expect. A covered outdoor area or airy laundry works well. If conditions are humid, moving air helps more than heat. A fan in a safe, dry position can speed things up without cooking the suit.
A fresher suit is a longer-lasting suit
Looking after your wetsuit is not fussy gear maintenance. It is part of keeping a piece of performance equipment comfortable, flexible and ready for the next decent bank. Freshwater rinsing after every surf, complete shade drying and sensible storage will solve most smells before they get a chance to settle in.
If you are unsure whether a cleaner is right for your particular neoprene, follow the manufacturer’s care instructions or ask a crew member at Oceanfire Surf. A few minutes of care after a session means your wetsuit is ready to pull on when the swell arrives - no worries, no nose-holding required. See you in the surf.