A high-quality dry suit is the best companion for your adventure on the water. To ensure you enjoy your SUPSKIN dry suit for a long time, the right care is crucial. Here you can find out how to clean, dry and store your suit optimally - for maximum longevity and performance!
1. After every use: get rid of salt, sand & dirt
Whether you've been out on the sea, a lake or a river - your suit comes into contact with all kinds of elements. Rinse it thoroughly with clean water after each use to remove salt, sand and other residues. Pay particular attention to the zippers and seals.
2. Gentle cleaning: Less is more
Only wash your dry suit when it is really necessary - excessive washing can damage the materials. Use lukewarm water and a mild soap.
Wash in the washing machine on a warm cycle (105º F/40º C) with a little liquid detergent and rinse sufficiently twice. Spin as little as possible to avoid creasing. Do not use aggressive detergents, fabric softeners or bleach as they can damage the waterproof coating.
Do not wash together with heavily soiled items of clothing;
We recommend the special detergent Eco Textile Wash from Toko:
- Ideal for breathable and other textile fabrics
- Restores the optimal functionality of membrane textiles (e.g. GORE-TEX®)
- Caring and thorough cleaning by carefully selected, active washing substances
- Contains no dyes, optical bleaches, whiteners or phosphates
- Based on renewable raw materials
- Very biodegradable
- Concentrate - one bottle is sufficient for approx. 10 wash cycles (250 ml) or approx. 40 wash cycles (1000 ml)
But products such as Nikwax Tech Wash, Hey Sport Tex Wash, Holmenkol Textile Wash also work very well.
3. Dry correctly: air instead of heat
After washing or rinsing, you should leave your suit to dry in a shady, well-ventilated place. Hang it inside out so that the inner lining also dries well. Direct sunlight and heat sources such as radiators can make the material brittle - so let it dry naturally if possible! Or tumble dry at a warm temperature, or after the garment is dry, put it in the tumble dryer for 20 minutes at a low temperature on a gentle cycle to reactivate the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish of the outer fabric.
Alternative to the tumble dryer
If you do not have a tumble dryer, iron the dry garment at a low temperature (warm, without steam) and place a towel or other cloth between the garment and the iron. As already mentioned, heat reactivates the permanent water-repellent impregnation of the outer fabric.
4. Maintaining zippers: For long-lasting functionality
The zippers are the heart of your dry suit. Clean them regularly with water and use special care to keep them supple. Make sure that no sand or salt residue damages the teeth of the zipper.
Cleaning: Rinse the zipper thoroughly with clean water after use to remove dirt and debris.
Lubrication: After cleaning, apply a suitable lubricant or kerosene wax to maintain the watertightness and ease of movement of the zipper.
For closed ends on our models Magic, Paddleskin or Hifly:
Apply the lubricant to the upper sealing surface.
Apply a small amount of kerosene wax along the zipper elements.
For open ends or one-sided seals such as on our models Dynamic, Ultimate and X-Lite:
Apply kerosene wax along the zipper elements.
5. Dry Cleaning
If professional dry cleaning is necessary, ask your dry cleaner to use pure, distilled hydrocarbon solvent to rinse the garment and spray a water-repellent impregnation onto the outer material before drying. Follow the care instructions.
6. Impregnation
As soon as the factory-applied impregnation can no longer be reactivated, re-treat the outer fabric of your garment with a DWR impregnation.
7. Keep an eye on seals & seams
Check the seals at the wrists, neck and ankles regularly for tears or wear. If necessary, you can keep them supple with a special care product for latex or neoprene. Small tears should be repaired at an early stage to prevent major damage.
Care of latex cuffs
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Regular rinsing: Rinse with clear water after each use to remove salt, sweat and dirt.
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Care with silicone or talcum powder:
- Silicone spray or grease keeps the latex supple and prevents drying out or cracking. Apply thinly and spread evenly.
- Talcum powder (baby powder without additives) helps to keep the cuffs supple and makes them easier to put on.
- Silicone spray or grease keeps the latex supple and prevents drying out or cracking. Apply thinly and spread evenly.
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No oils or solvents: Avoid sun cream, oil or products containing alcohol, as they can attack the latex.
- Correct storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from light. Avoid direct sunlight and heat to prevent material fatigue.
8. Correct storage: No stress for the material
Store your dry suit in a dry, cool place - preferably hung up or loosely folded. Avoid direct sunlight and moisture to prevent mold growth or material fatigue. If you are not using it for a long time, you can store it in a breathable bag.
Bags for storage are available from us and you can find inflatable hangers here.
9. Carry out minor repairs yourself
You can often repair minor damage yourself. A small repair kit with waterproof glue and patches can work wonders if a seam starts to leak. For larger repairs, it is worth sending the suit to us. In the interests of longevity and sustainability, please send it to our atelier. See repair service.
10. repair service
SUPSKIN products are designed for durability and longevity. But if you are unlucky and your fabric tears or other damage occurs, don't worry. Send the suit back to our atelier and repair center in Austria - we will repair it.
SUPSKIN & More, Seeuferplatz 30, 7121 Weiden am See, Austria
The cost of the repair service varies depending on the time and materials required. Please send us pictures of the damaged parts of your suit and we will take a look: office@supskinandmore.com.
We will get back to you with a proposal of what needs to be done, a price and time estimate and next steps.
The timing depends on how busy our repair team is, but you should have your suit back within four weeks.
Conclusion: Enjoy your suit for a long time with little effort
Proper care of your SUPSKIN & MORE dry suit pays off: You extend its lifespan, maintain its functionality and can rely on dry, comfortable adventures on the water. A little attention after every tour saves you time and money in the long run - and ensures that your suit is always ready for the next adventure!
Have fun on the water and happy paddling! 🌊🚀
