Surfski Knowledge Base

Suggestions on how clean neoprene used frequently in salt water.

D. Thompson Jun 3 #31720

Hi,

What do all y'all do and use to keep your neoprene (Farmer Johns, tops/bottoms/shorts et al), “clean” when you use them frequently in salt water?

Anything you do not do or use is helpful too.

I rinse with fresh water and hang to dry every time but there is some yucky stuff in the water in our marina getting in and out of the boat that worries me will build up in the neoprene overtime with frequent use and not cleaning it properly.

Thanks,

Denise T

gsouthstone Jun 3 #31721

Hey Denise;

I keep a spray bottle of Simple Green next to the rinse station, A light spray before rinsing seems to keep the flys off the gear. The booties sometimes require an extra squirt. Finally, it is important for the gear to be dry before storing,

G

Amy Hammer Jun 3 #31722

Soak 15 min in Mirazyme or Odor Eliminator by Gear Aid works great for cleanliness.

Jason Tedrow Jun 3 #31723

Hi Denise,

I don’t paddle in salt water very often but I use Gear Aid wetsuit shampoo in a 5 gallon bucket after about 20 paddles.

Jason

Waterman Larry Jun 3 #31725

I use a capful of Listerine in a half bath of water. Soak wetsuit over night. Booties live on a forced air booty drier between uses. I occasionally throw the boots in the Listerene brew. Salt and fresh water.

Larry Goodson

Reivers Dustin Jun 3 #31726

I'm told that everyone in Norther Europe has a drying cabinet (not a dryer) for their outdoor gear. Mine looks a little like this one:

Amazon.com: Residential Drying Cabinet : Appliances

BUT I paid about 300 bucks for mine. Can't find it now - that was many years ago. All it is: a box with a small blower and a heater. Same deal as a boot dryer. If you huck the neoprene in a normal dryer it will degrade the materials. If you leave the stuff hanging out in the bathroom it will freak out your significant other. Long time wet equals long time smelly.

LB took a long look and built one. Maybe we can get him to 3-D print us up a few.

Denise Weeks Jun 3 #31727

Unless your significant other is also a paddler . . . and the (less used) bathroom happens to be the warmest room in the house.