Your diving suit - drysuit, neoprene or tri-laminate, two pieces suit (jacket and pants) - is no exception.
The better you keep it, the longer you use it.
There are some things to know about the maintenance of a diving suit, in this article we aim to indicate the main guidelines, which you will then accept according to your personal tastes.
First, a diving suit should be washed after each use!
"Washed" means rinsed in cold fresh water both outside and inside.
The intent is to remove residual salt, the smell of the lake, pool chlorine and wipe the interior well.
It is never advisable to use classic soap, and - especially if the diving suit is in neoprene - liquid soap should not be used either.
You can instead use soaps designed specifically for neoprene suits.
It would be wise to wash the diving suit by soaking in a tub just after the dive so - if you do not live near the dive site - it is advisable to use the tub of the diving center which you have approached.
In the absence of a tub, you can use a basin and help with a shower with an underpowered jet.
Alternatively you can settle for rinsing most of the excess salt (or other) with one or two bottles of water and then wash it properly at home.
The important thing is not to let the diving suit wet and closed in the bag too long, and people who have already made that mistake are well aware of what we're talking about!
Some divers periodically wash the diving suit in the washing machine, even before storing it for the winter period.
Although this is a tempting technique to save time and effort, just remember that the suits are delicate objects, and that in a washing machine they could easily be harmed.
In any case, consider that the diving suit must never get close to heat sources that exceed 40 ° C and it has to be washed with cold water.
Second step: drying.
In order to properly dry a diving suit, hang it, using a coat hanger with broad shoulders, so that the weight of the wet diving suit does not weight on the shoulders of a small surface therefore ruining the inner liner.
When the diving suit is completely dry outside, flip it and let it dry inside.
The diving suit must be hung in the shade, since the UV rays can damage the latex.
Hair dryers or machine dryers should never be used.
When the diving suit is completely dry both inside and outside it's time to store it.
In the case of a diving suit with a zipper, first you must clean between its teeth thoroughly with a brush and lubricate it with paraffin, beeswax, or with the substance provided upon purchase.
Remember not to use as lubricant substances like silicone spray, because the propellant could irreparably damage the zipper.
Open and close the zipper a few times and, if it is located on the back of the suit, leave it open (for example in the case of the Polaris Rofos).
On this third phase there are different opinions: someone wants to see the diving suit hanging and others bent.
In both cases, there are some good rules to keep in mind.
It is advisable to use a little talcum powder on wrists and neck, so that they do not stick.
The diving suit should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and any exhaust gases (so do not think of a wet basement, the garage or the back of a chip shop!).
If you want to hang it, you can simply use, as mentioned above, a coat hanger with very broad shoulders, to fill well your diving suit.
If you prefer to roll the diving suit to put it on a shelf, you can do it from the shoes, and then wrap it with the sleeves, once finished.
Do not place weights on the diving suit, so that the material is not being pressed.
The only care to use in this case concerns the suits with the zipper, which must be folded so as not to make tight turns and as to remain outside the "roll".
Roll ankles or boots towards the belly if the zip is on the back (as in the Polaris or Hybrid Rofos) and towards the back if the zip is front (as in the case of trilaminate dry suits Rofos).
You can also fit a cylinder of rubber or cardboard inside the "roll", to help with the folds.
In summary:
YES to rinse your suit after each dive in fresh water and cold;
NO residues of salt, chlorine, algae, sweat, etc .;
NO use of soap;
YES to wash and dry both internal and external;
NO to washing machine, dryer, hair dryer, etc .;
NO to direct sunlight, heat sources above 40 ° C, humidity, gas impregnation;
YES to brush the zipper and lubricate with paraffin or beeswax;
NO to silicone spray or similar to the zip;
YES to put the suit either hung with wide hangers or rolled up;
NO zipper folded on itself or crushed.
And what is your experience?
Suggest us other mistakes that must be avoided with a diving suit!