Caring for your watersports gear
Aquadesign care guide
Regular care can double the lifespan of your gear. Rinse, dry, store: here are the right habits — and the mistakes to avoid — for every type of equipment.
Select your equipment
The 3 golden rules
Rinse
After every outing, rinse with clean, cold water. Salt, chlorine, sand and silt are your gear's worst enemies.
Dry
Always in the shade and in open air, away from direct sun and any heat source (radiator, tumble dryer, hot car boot).
Store
Clean and 100 % dry, in a cool, dry, ventilated place, away from light and ozone sources (electric motors).
Wetsuits and neoprene
Full wetsuits, shorties, long johns, boleros and neoprene tops.
Do
- Rinse with clean, cold water after every use, inside and out.
- Dry on a wide hanger, inside-out first then the right way round, in the shade.
- Wash occasionally with a dedicated wetsuit shampoo (or a mild, pH-neutral soap).
- Store flat or on a wide hanger, never tightly folded for long periods.
- Close the zip and lubricate it with a suitable stick or wax.
Don't
- Hot water, tumble dryer, radiator and direct sun (heat cooks neoprene).
- Washing machine, spin cycle and ironing.
- Harsh detergent, bleach, fabric softener and solvents.
- Leaving it wet and bunched up in a bag (odours, mould, delamination).
- Long exposure to UV.
Odour tip: a lukewarm bath with wetsuit shampoo, a thorough rinse and a complete dry in the shade usually do the trick.
Neoprene gloves, boots and socks
Neoprene gloves, pogies, boots, booties and socks.
Do
- Rinse with clean water after every use.
- Dry the inside thoroughly (turn them inside-out if possible), in the shade.
- Store them flat and perfectly dry.
- Regularly check the glued seams.
Don't
- Tumble dryer, radiator and direct sun.
- Storing them damp (guaranteed odours and mould).
- Pulling hard on the seams when putting them on while still wet.
Tip: once dry, a little talc inside makes them easier to put on next time.
Buoyancy aids and life jackets
Buoyancy aids (50N, 70N, 140N) and life jackets. These are personal protective equipment (PPE): their buoyancy must stay intact.
Do
- Rinse with clean water after every outing, especially at sea.
- Dry hung up, in the shade, away from any heat source.
- Regularly check the straps, buckles, seams and zips.
- Check the foam (neither compressed nor hardened) and test the buoyancy at least once a year.
- Store flat or hung up, dry and away from light.
Don't
- Using it as a cushion or seat: this crushes the foam and reduces buoyancy.
- Drying it in direct sun or on a radiator.
- Washing machine, dry cleaning, ironing and bleach.
- Storing it damp or compressed.
- Continuing to use it if the foam is compressed or the straps/buckles are damaged.
Safety: a PFD is PPE. If you have any doubt about its buoyancy, or after a heavy impact, replace it and refer to the product manual.
Helmets
Whitewater helmets: river, kayak, raft, canyoning.
Do
- Clean the shell and the inside with lukewarm soapy water and a soft cloth.
- Dry at room temperature, in a dry and ventilated place.
- Check the chinstrap, buckle, adjustment system and the shell for cracks or deformation.
- Make sure the inner foam (non-removable) is not detached or deteriorated.
- Store away from impacts, sun and heat.
Don't
- Solvents, chemicals or abrasive products on the shell (they weaken the plastic).
- Leaving it in a car in full sun (heat warps the shell).
- Continuing to use a cracked helmet or one that has taken a heavy impact.
- Stickers and solvent-based paints that can attack the shell.
A helmet that has taken a big impact can be weakened even without a visible crack: when in doubt, replace it.
Spray tops and technical wear
Spray tops, dry tops and dry suits, trousers and breathable technical wear, with latex or neoprene seals.
Do
- Rinse with clean water and dry inside-out, in the shade.
- Wash occasionally by hand or on a cold delicate cycle, with a mild detergent.
- Care for the seals: talc on latex, thorough rinsing of neoprene.
- Close and lubricate waterproof zips with a suitable stick.
- Reactivate the water-repellency (DWR) when water no longer beads.
Don't
- Fabric softener, bleach and hot tumble drying (they destroy the membrane and water-repellency).
- Hard ironing and damp storage.
- Exposing latex seals to sun, ozone, sunscreen, oils and solvents (they crack).
Latex seals are the most fragile part: store the garment flat, away from light, without folding the seals.
Safety equipment
Throw bags, safety ropes and lifelines, cowtails, carabiners and quick-release systems.
Do
- Rinse the rope with clean water and let it dry completely (laid out or loosely coiled) before putting it back in the bag.
- Inspect the rope (abrasion, hard spots), the seams and the bag's flotation foam.
- Check carabiners, releases and buckles: play, corrosion, proper operation.
- Store dry, away from UV.
Don't
- Putting the rope back wet (mould and loss of strength).
- Prolonged UV exposure (it weakens the fibres).
- Contact with solvents, acids and hydrocarbons.
- Continuing to use a damaged item.
Life-saving gear: a damaged rope or cowtail is replaced, not repaired.
Your safety equipment (PPE)
Life jackets, helmets and rescue gear protect you: inspect them regularly, follow the manufacturer's manual and replace any worn or damaged part without hesitation. Find all the manuals and certificates of conformity on our dedicated page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to rinse after every outing, even in fresh water?
My neoprene smells bad — what should I do?
How do I remove mould?
Can I machine-wash my gear?
How long does a PFD or helmet last?
How do I store my gear for the winter?
Can I repair a small tear in neoprene?
What should I do after an outing in muddy or sandy water?
Got a question about caring for a product? Our team is here to help — Customer service · Manuals and certificates