The Surprisingly Stylish Way to Dry Your Wetsuit in a Tiny Apartment

Let’s talk about a problem that only divers truly understand: Where on earth do you hang a soaking wetsuit to dry when you live in a matchbox-sized apartment?

The bathroom door? Too drippy.
The balcony railing? Too public.
The shower curtain rod? Too saggy.

That’s the exact problem Matteo Mortari faced. “I was looking for a practical way in my very small apartment to dry my wetsuit,” he says, “When I saw the ÄLGANÄS on the IKEA website, I knew immediately what I could use it for.”

Why the ÄLGANÄS?

The ÄLGANÄS has a slim, modern profile and a tall, narrow build, which makes it ideal for smaller homes. Matteo instantly saw its potential beyond the entryway.

With a few tweaks, he turned it into — what he calls SCUBANÄS — a clever wetsuit bathtub drying rack that’s portable and affordable.

What You’ll Need

• 1x ÄLGANÄS clothes rack with shoe storage
• Cordless drill with a drill bit for metal
• A small file (to smooth things out after drilling)
• A zip tie
• Optional: Felt pads for wall protection

DIY IKEA Bathtub Drying Rack Hack

1. Assemble your ÄLGANÄS as per IKEA instructions but skip the bottom shelf. This gives your wetsuit more clearance to hang freely without bunching up.

2. Drill a small drainage hole into the circular plate near the top. This allows water to flow out.

3. Use the small file to smooth any rough edges from the hole. Use this handy plate to dry your scuba mask and dive computer.

4. Secure a zip tie on the upper horizontal bar. This helps keep your hanger in place and also gives you an extra spot to hang smaller gear like your hood. Smart, right?

5. Place the rack in your bathtub post-dive. Simply move the SCUBANÄS into your bathtub or shower stall. Then, hang your wetsuit on the top rail and rinse your suit using your shower hose. The water drips off directly down the drain. When you’re done cleaning, leave your wetsuit to air dry in the tub or shower.

6. Move it out of the way once your wetsuit is dry. The rack is lightweight and slim enough to tuck into a corner or closet — wetsuit and all — until your next dive.

7. Use a garment bag over the wetsuit for longer-term storage.

Bonus Tips from Matteo

• Stick felt pads (the kind used under chair legs) behind the top where the rack leans against the wall. This helps protect your wall and paint job, especially important if you’re renting.
• The hack cost Matteo around $25 for the rack.

Why We Love This Hack

We love how Matteo spotted the potential in an unassuming clothes rack and made it work in the most unexpected but useful way for his small apartment.

And even if scuba diving isn’t your thing, the SCUBANÄS bathtub drying rack is just as handy for swim gear, active wear, or even drying off hand-washed garments.

Got an IKEA hack you’re proud of? We want to see it! Send it over.

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NEXT: More Clever Laundry Room Hacks.