How to Wash & Care for Your Swimsuit

Whether it’s your beloved knit sweater or your lucky swimsuit, properly caring for your clothes actually matters. Without proper swimsuit care, that favorite swimsuit you’ve loved since day one won’t be around for long.

The cute swim piece you’ve been sporting all summer can get pretty dingy and dirty if you don’t care for it properly. Between the chlorine from the pool, heat from the day, and sand at the beach, it’s no surprise that washing your swimsuit is a must.

So, how do you wash a swimsuit? And does washing bathing suits in baking soda actually work? Learn how to wash swimsuits below.

1. Always Rinse After Every Use

We will be the first to let you know that even if you don’t go in the water while wearing your lucky swimsuit, it still needs to be washed. Sweat and sunscreen can slowly damage the fabric of a swimsuit and often cause stains.

A freshwater rinse after a long day at the pool is better than nothing. If you’re in a hurry, consider jumping in the shower with your swimsuit on to give it a quick rinse using a gentle shampoo to remove the chlorine and keep your suit looking its best.

Fact: Chlorine wears down swimsuit material faster than fresh or saltwater.

2. How To Wash A New Swimsuit

As natural as it may feel to toss your swimsuit in with the rest of your laundry, resist the urge ladies. Proper swimsuit care requires a personal touch, literally. Washing your swimsuit by hand keeps the integrity of the swimsuit fabric while removing chemicals and oils from your long day at the beach. Here are some hand-washing tips:

• • Use a detergent specifically meant for delicates or high-spandex fabric. One we recommend using is Dawn dish soap as it works as well as laundry detergents.
  • Consider using lukewarm water to wash and rinse
  • If you must use a washing machine, use the delicate cycle on cold
  • Soak (don’t scrub!) your swimsuit for 30 minutes before drying

Remember, if you’re in a bind or on vacation that doesn’t have access to laundry facilities, rinse your swimsuit after each use.

Men’s suits, on the other hand, can be thrown in with the regular laundry because most swim trunks don’t have as much of the spandex material that is used in women’s swimsuits.

3. Swimsuit Care When It Comes to Stains

There are times when stains are unavoidable. Sunscreens, deodorants, oils, and even your favorite food or drink can leave stubborn stains on your swimsuit. If a good rinse or soak in detergent isn’t cutting it, think about washing your bathing suit in baking soda or vinegar.

If a stain happens—and let’s face it, it will probably happen at some point in time—apply a healthy amount of baking soda directly on the stain. Let the baking soda work its magic and leave it on the stain for 1-2 hours before rinsing.

Don’t have access to baking soda? If you have distilled white vinegar on hand, you can soak your bathing suit in one part distilled white vinegar and three parts warm water.

4. How To Keep A Swimsuit From Fading & Stretching

After washing your swimsuit, keep in mind that how you dry your suit makes a difference as well (especially to prevent fading).

Here is what you absolutely shouldn’t do when it comes to drying your swimsuit:

• • Don’t lay it out in the sun to dry
  • Don’t use the dryer
  • Don’t wring out your swimsuit

It may feel natural to wring your freshly washed swimsuit out, but try to avoid it if you can. Wringing out your swimsuit can damage the structure of the fabric fibers, leaving you with a loose swimsuit. Best practice when it comes to removing excess water? Squeeze, don’t twist, the water out of your swimsuit.

To keep the elasticity in your swimsuit, leave your garment to dry inside and flat on the ground. Don’t worry about your swimsuit drying in the shade, almost all swimsuits are designed to dry within a couple of hours.

You’ll thank us later when your favorite swimsuit still looks as incredible as it did when you originally bought it.

Swimsuit Care Done Right

Now that you have mastered the art of swimsuit washing, remember when you’re out on the water to avoid rough surfaces that can damage the bottom of your suit. Laying a towel down first is a simple solution to prevent those unflattering fabric snags.

Even after following the proper care instructions, we understand that there will eventually come a day that you will require a new swimsuit. We have you covered! We are proud to offer a broad range of swimwear for every body, with plus size swim pieces, mastectomy swimsuits, and modern swimsuits & clothing for women. Make a statement this spring and summer with our high-quality swimwear that will leave you feeling unstoppable.