How to Clean an NRS Drysuit and Protect Its Zipper
An NRS drysuit has three care systems that should not be treated alike: technical face fabric, waterproof zipper and latex or neoprene gaskets. NRS recommends a fresh-water rinse after use, especially after saltwater or smoke, and a hand wash with a technical-outerwear cleaner when soil requires more. Liquid laundry detergent, bleach and harsh chemicals are excluded. Zippers need their own cleaning and approved lubrication, while storage position depends on zipper type. This guide covers NRS drysuits, dry tops and related dry wear. The exact garment label controls whether low tumble heat may reactivate durable water repellent; it is not a blanket permission to put every suit in a dryer.
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Primary reference: NRS official dry-wear cleaning and care guide. Always check the manual for your exact model.
Quick reference
- Rinse
- Fresh water after use; mandatory after salt or smoke.
- Wash
- Hand-wash with technical outerwear cleaner.
- Avoid
- Liquid detergent, bleach, harsh chemicals and high heat.
- Zipper
- Brush clean and use approved lubricant only.
- Storage
- Dry, cool; plastic zipper closed, metal zipper open.
What you will need
- Fresh clean water
- Technical synthetic-fabric cleaner approved for dry wear
- Clean tub or gentle hose
- Soft cloth or sponge
- Soft toothbrush reserved for zipper cleaning
- NRS-recommended zipper cleaner and lubricant
- Gasket treatment specified by NRS
- Shaded ventilated drying area
Step-by-step instructions
Before you begin: Inspect and prepare
Empty every pocket, close hook-and-loop tabs so they cannot abrade fabric, and identify whether the entry and relief zippers are metal or plastic before cleaning. Mark suspected pinholes or gasket damage instead of losing their location during washing. A torn gasket, separating seam tape, damaged zipper tooth or persistent leak is a repair decision. Do not use a cleaned but untested drysuit as the only protection in cold water.
Step 1: Empty and inspect the drysuit
Remove accessories and empty pockets. Examine face fabric, seam tape, knees, seat, cuffs, gaskets and zipper for abrasion, holes, lifting tape or bent teeth. Do not force a gritty zipper or clean a torn gasket aggressively. Repairs and pressure testing are separate procedures.
Step 2: Rinse salt or smoke promptly
Use a gentle fresh-water hose or shower to rinse the exterior after use. NRS says salt water and smoke are particularly hard on dry-wear fabric, so rinse thoroughly after either exposure. Flush around socks, relief zipper, pockets and gasket edges without pressure-washing.
Step 3: Choose a technical cleaner when needed
For a more thorough wash, use a product designed for technical outerwear, following its dilution. NRS names products such as synthetic-fabric cleaner or Tech Wash. Do not use ordinary liquid laundry detergent, bleach, fabric softener or harsh chemicals that can affect the membrane or durable water repellent.
Step 4: Hand-wash the face fabric
Support the suit in a clean tub and move the wash solution gently through soiled areas. Use a soft cloth on mud and body-contact zones. Do not scrub seam tape, wring the suit or grind sand into fabric. Treat stubborn contamination according to NRS support rather than escalating to solvent.
Step 5: Rinse until no cleaner remains
Drain the bath and rinse repeatedly with clean water. Pay attention to folds, socks, cuffs, zipper backing and pockets. Residual product can interfere with breathability or attract dirt. Let the garment drain while supporting its weight so the wet suit does not hang from one gasket.
Step 6: Clean the waterproof zipper separately
Open the zipper as its design permits and use the applicator brush or a soft toothbrush to remove salt and grit from the teeth. Apply only NRS-recommended zipper cleaner and lubricant, working the slider to distribute it. Do not use household oil, petroleum jelly or a metal brush.
Step 7: Care for gaskets without contamination
Rinse neck and wrist gaskets with fresh water and inspect for cracks or tackiness. Apply only the silicone treatment NRS specifies before long storage, keeping it off surfaces where it could affect seam repair or DWR. Do not expose latex to ozone, solvent or high heat.
Step 8: Air-dry, then follow the DWR label
Hang the suit freely or lay it open in shade with airflow, repositioning it so interior and exterior dry. If the exact label permits low tumble heat to reactivate DWR, follow its temperature and time precisely. Otherwise air-dry; never improvise with high dryer heat, a radiator or hot vehicle.
Step 9: Store for the zipper type
Store completely dry in cool, low-humidity conditions away from sun and combustion appliances that can generate ozone. NRS says plastic zippers remain closed for extended storage while metal zippers remain open. Hang or loosely roll the suit without bending or kinking the zipper.
Specific cleaning questions
Open a question for a concise answer about stains, odors, safety, frequency, and troubleshooting.