Can You Tumble Dry Wetsuits?

tumble dryers in cleaners

We all want to dry out our wetsuit after scuba diving as quickly as possible. You should take care of your wetsuit properly as this guarantees to extend the lifespan of the wetsuit plus it will save you money in the long run. So can you tumble dry wetsuits?

No, wetsuits do not do help when exposed to warm temperatures as is it one of the reasons why you should store your wetsuit in the shade and a cool area. Tumble dryers dry clothes by tumbling the clothes with a fan that circulates hot air. So under no circumstances should you dry a wetsuit in the tumble drier as the heat and tumbling will damage the wetsuit.

In today’s post, we will go through in more detail can you tumble dry wetsuits, so let’s get started!

Read more on common questions asked by divers

Can You Tumble Dry Wetsuits?

No, you should not put your wetsuit in a tumble dryer. The fabric a wetsuit is made from does not do well in hot temperatures. This is one of the reasons why you are advised to dry a wetsuit in the shade and in a cool area. 

Tumble dryers use heat and tumbling to dry clothes. So under no circumstances should you dry a wetsuit in the tumble dryer as the heat will damage the wetsuit. Some tumble dryers have the option to reduce the temperature used but it is not worth the risk.

Also, the tumbling may damage your wetsuits stitchings which can be particularly bad with taped seams.

Wetsuit Drying

Can You Put A Wetsuit In The Washing Machine?

You should NOT put your wetsuit in a washing machine. The tumbling alone may damage your wetsuits stitchings which can be particularly bad with taped seams.

Which can or will become loose and when that does happen it will start leaking water. The hot water a washing machine generates can also damage the wetsuit.

How Can I Dry My Wetsuit Fast?

The best way to dry your wetsuit is by placing your wetsuit on a coat hanger and keeping its shape. And let it will dry out naturally.

To dry it out faster you can squeeze the water out of each wetsuit, particularly the arm and leg, and then leave it hanging in the breeze for another hour or two.

How Long Does It Take Wetsuit To Dry?

After scuba diving, you should wash it out with fresh water first and give it a good cleaning. Then hang it out on a hanger to let it dry. How long it takes to dry depends on the thickness of the neoprene.

It can take a few hours to dry out if the wetsuit is left hanging in a warm room with a gentle wind that allows the air to pass through the suit.

Does Hot Water Shrink Neoprene?

Simply, hot water is not good for a wetsuit. Really hot water will damage the neoprene fabric which will affect the elasticity of the wetsuit. Therefore the wetsuit will start to shrink.
wetsuits diving

Do Wetsuits Get Bigger When Wet?

Wetsuits should be tight-fitting but neoprene does stretch when it gets wet and stretches with use over time. 

Do You Wear Anything Under A Wetsuit?

This is really up to you what to wear but there are a number of reasons to wear something underneath a wetsuit such as a short, a bikini, compression shorts, and a swimsuit. Some of those reasons are extra insulation, protection, and most importantly especially if you are renting a wetsuit is hygiene. People do pee in wetsuits.

We have a more detailed article on what to wear underneath a wetsuit.

Wrapping Up

Finally, you shouldn’t use tumble dryers to dry out your wetsuit. Wetsuits do not do help when exposed to warm temperatures as is it one of the reasons why you should store your wetsuit in the shade and a cool area. Tumble dryers use heat to dry clothes along with tumbling which will ultimately damage your wetsuit.

And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on can you tumble dry wetsuits has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.

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Can You Tumble Dry Wetsuits

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