Typhoon International is a leading manufacturer and distributor of drysuits along with other protective gear and accessories for leisure watersports, diving and the commercial industry. We are often asked by our customers, on the best kit care practises when it comes to drysuit maintenance and increasing the longevity of the product.
Our latest generation of fabrics has made our drysuits more comfortable than ever before while at the same time providing an advanced level of protection. To get the very best out of your drysuit for as long as possible, there are some important steps to follow in order to take care of it.
- Make sure you refer to the label inside the drysuit and follow the washing instructions exactly. Use only liquid soap, and don’t use any fabric softeners or biological washing powders.
- Your kit is likely to be covered in salt water each time you are out on the boat so it should be rinsed off in fresh water. Preventing the build-up of dried salt stops the ‘pores’ of your breathable kit clogging up, making it feel cold and clammy, while at the same time attracting more unwanted moisture.
- Once rinsed off, hang your drysuit where it can completely dry out before you put it away somewhere safe, dry and not exposed to direct sunlight.
- When storing your drysuit, ensure that the zip is undone and avoid excessive folding of the zip to prevent damage.
- Whether your suit has latex or neoprene neck and cuffs, the general mantra of fresh water and keeping the garment dry and salt free still applies.
- Latex seals are vulnerable to salt water and sun damage and can eventually crack through wear and tear. As well as the steps above it’s worth applying a small amount of lubricant and rubbing it in. Use a sprinkling of talcum powder to absorb any excess lubricant.
- Pay plenty of attention to the zips – a small amount of lubricant can help here too, once you have ensured that all salt has been cleaned off. Keep the zip open during storage so it can’t jam up. At the same time this allows any remaining moisture to escape from inside the suit.