How to Care for Your Swimsuit

This is a collaborative post.

We all know that a quality swimsuit is a good investment and with proper care it will last for many trips to the pool. Good quality tall swimsuits, luxury bikinis or two piece tankinis should be able to last a few holidays. There are a few hard and fast rules around how to care for your swimwear properly. Here’s what you should (and shouldn’t be doing) to make your swimwear stay bright and well-fitting for many more summers to come.

Rinse Immediately After Wearing

Did you know that one of the biggest culprits of your swimsuit fading is exposure to chlorine, saltwater, and sun creams? As soon as you’ve stepped out of the pool or sea, rinse your swimsuit with cool, fresh water. Otherwise, you may find that chlorine and salt water will break down the fibres of your swimsuit. This is what causes the colour to fade. The loss of fibre elasticity is also what causes your swimsuit to start to sag. Even just a very quick rinse will help to remove any residual chlorine or salt from your swimwear.

Hand Wash With Gentle Soap

It’s not a great idea to throw your swimsuit in with your weekly wash. If you do use a washing machine, run it on a delicate cycle at 30 degrees. A faster, hotter wash can stretch and weaken the swimwear fabric. It is best to handwash your swimsuit using a detergent designed for handwashing or delicates.

Don’t Wring It

After washing your swimsuit, don’t wring out the excess water, as again, this stretches the fabric and ruins the colour and shape of your swimwear. You should gently press the water out by rolling the swimsuit in a clean, dry towel. Lay it flat to absorb moisture before air-drying.

Dry It Properly

Another absolute no-no is tumble drying your swimsuit. Heat from a drier can cause so many problems. It can shrink your swimsuit – or go the other way – and make it stretched and saggy. If you can, lay your swimsuit flat on a towel in a shaded, well-ventilated area. We’ve all done it, but it’s best not to dry your swimsuit in direct sunlight, as UV rays can fade the colour over time.

Be Mindful of Where You Sit

Rough surfaces, such as the side of a pool or a sea wall can cause problems with the finish of your swimsuit. If you snag or pull your swimsuit against a rough surface it may cause bobbling or other fabric damage. It’s best to always sit on a towel or sarong to protect your swimsuit from unnecessary wear and tear.

Rotate Between Multiple Swimsuits

If you are going on holiday or even if you swim regularly, it’s a good idea to have a few swimsuits or bikinis. That way you can use a different one each day. This allows the swimwear material to recover from stretching, exposure to chlorine, and the inevitable washing. Alternating between suits will prolong the life of each one and ensure you always have a fresh option available.

Store Your Swimsuit Correctly

Proper storage of your swim gear is just as important as proper washing. Once your swimsuit is completely dry, keep it safe in a cool, dry place. Try not to stuff it into the back of a tight cupboard. You can get small swimwear storage bags which will help keep your cossie in tip-top condition.

Looking after your swimwear isn’t a complicated task. It just takes a few extra minutes after you’ve come out of the water. It’ll give your swimwear extra life for many holidays and pool trips to come – so it’s well worth the extra effort.