How to Clean Your Outdoor Gear Properly After Wild Swimming
Wild swimming is a joyful escape into nature, but muddy boots, gritty wetsuits, and algae-covered kit come with the territory. Properly cleaning your gear isn’t just about keeping it fresh – it’s a vital part of protecting our rivers and lakes from invasive species and pollution.
Here’s a simple, effective guide to cleaning your outdoor gear after a wild swim, so you can adventure responsibly and keep your kit in top shape.
1. Why Cleaning Your Gear Matters
Every time you swim in a river, lake or sea, your gear can pick up hitchhikers: invasive species like zebra mussels or floating pennywort. If you move to another body of water without cleaning your kit, you could be spreading these damaging species without knowing it.
The UK Government's "Check, Clean, Dry" campaign recommends thoroughly cleaning all equipment to stop the spread of invasive non-native species (INNS)[1].
Clean kit also lasts longer, performs better, and won’t stink up your car or bag.
2. What Needs Cleaning
After a wild swim, clean these key items:
- Wetsuits, swimsuits, and rash vests
- Swim shoes or neoprene boots
- Tow floats and dry bags
- Goggles, caps, and snorkels
- Microfibre towels
- Changing robes
Even a small trace of mud, algae, or moisture can carry unwanted organisms.
3. Step-by-Step Gear Cleaning Guide
Step 1: Rinse On-Site (If Possible)
Use clean, fresh water to rinse your gear before you pack it away. A portable shower like the NewFlow 8L pressurised shower is perfect for this. It helps remove most of the silt and debris before it sets in or spreads.
Step 2: Wash Thoroughly at Home
When you get home:
- Fill a bucket with warm, soapy water (eco-friendly soap is best)
- Scrub off dirt and algae with a soft brush or cloth
- Turn wetsuits inside out to clean both sides
Step 3: Disinfect (Optional but Recommended)
For added protection, especially if you're swimming in different locations:
- Use a gear-safe disinfectant
- Soak kit for 15 minutes
Step 4: Dry Completely
Hang gear in a dry, ventilated space until it’s bone dry. Most aquatic invasive species can’t survive without moisture.
4. Extra Tips
- Leave No Trace: Pick up litter, including hair ties and plastic wrappers.
- Rotate Towels and Kit: Having spares lets you dry gear properly between swims.
- Keep Your Boot Clean: A boot liner and a separate wet gear bag help stop the spread.
5. Protect Nature with Every Swim
We swim in wild waters because we love them. Cleaning your kit is a simple act that has a real environmental impact. Whether you’re a weekend dipper or a year-round wild swimmer, taking 10 minutes to clean and dry your gear helps keep the UK's waterways safe.
The NewFlow Portable Shower makes cleaning convenient, eco-friendly, and mobile. Rinse anywhere, responsibly.
References: [1] Non-native Species Secretariat. Check, Clean, Dry Campaign. https://www.nonnativespecies.org/check-clean-dry/
