Swimwear Care Tips
No swimsuit will last forever but taking good care and choosing the right type of fabric will help preserve your swim clothes for several seasons.
Most swimsuits are made from nylon or polyester with a mixture of Spandex for elasticity so they keep their shape and stay lightweight in the water. These fabrics also dry quickly and some are chlorine resistant so they can be worn in a number of venues.
The first thing that attracts us is the design, color and shape, but we sometimes forget about the quality and health effect on our skin while using the swimsuit in the sun or chlorinated pools.
After few uses we may realize we made a bad choice perhaps not so about the design or color, but about the fabric quality.
Many swimsuits lose their firmness over time and the elastic becomes weaker and breaks down.
Ensure that your swimwear provides you with the best possible performance for a long time to come.
We recommend you take the following precautions:
- Rinse immediately after use, in non-chlorinated water
- Do not leave wet swimsuits in a bag or other container for a long time
- Do not expose wet swimsuits to direct sunlight for a long time
- Wash with detergents suitable for delicate clothes
- Air-dry away from heat sources
- Hand wash only
- Do not dry clean
- Do not bleach
- Do not machine dry
- Do not iron
Read the Label
When purchasing new swimsuits or water clothes, read information printed on the label, care tag or product swing tag, to identify the type of fabric used and what features it offers.
For best results it must be chlorine resistant and fade resistant, to retain colors and elasticity if used in sea waters or chlorinated pools.
This means you can use this swimsuit over several seasons without fabric loosing its colors and elasticity functions. Unfortunately many cheaper swimsuits may look good but after couple of uses the suit will be useless to wear.
No swimsuit will hold up forever under the conditions of chlorinated water but there are certain things you can do to make sure your swimsuit lasts as long as possible.
You can help preserve your favorite swimsuit by rinsing it after each use with cold water, preferably hand wash.
Avoid drying, bleach, hot waters and machine wash if possible.
Think Function
If you only wear a swimsuit to sunbathe or go to the beach a few times per year, you may be fine with a less expensive suit that will last only a season.
If you are a frequent swimmer and live in a swimsuit, choose a well-made, more expensive suit that will fit your level of activity and comfort.
Wash before first use
Wash your swimsuits separately and in cool or lukewarm water before wearing them for the first time to remove some chemicals from manufacturing. Alternatively you can wear it in your bath without strong bath foam. Then hang it up to dry.
Elasticity
Swimsuits are made from materials that allow them to stretch and fit correctly, while enduring constant soaking and drying.
The chlorine in pools can harm your swimsuit's elasticity and cause the fabric to go yellow. Almost every swimsuit contains Spandex (aka Eleastene or Lycra), so prompt cleaning is important to reduce exposure time. Machine washing or drying can stretch or damage the special and sometimes sensitive materials.
Perspiration and body oils react with the elasticity of the fibers causing them to stretch.
Removing them as soon as possible is important.
Take a shower whenever possible to rinse it out.
Watch where you sit
Rocks and sand on the beach can damage your swimwear. Most pool sides and decks are rough so that you won't slip when they are wet. Even if it doesn't seem too rough, it is to your suit. Always sit or lay on a towel. Be careful when rising from a pool or hot tub bench. Once a swimsuit is snagged it cannot be repaired.
Sunbathe first, then swim
If you plan to sunbathe after swimming, change into a dry suit or enjoy a fresh water shower before relaxing in the sun. The combination of chlorine from the pool, body perspiration and suntanning lotions are damaging to the swimsuit fabric.
Sunscreens can leave stains on your swimwear that are hard to remove. Avoid them. Sun and chlorine together will fade the colours faster.
Always put swimsuits on when dry
It is really difficult to put on a full body swimsuit when either you or the suit is wet. The fabric won't slip over your skin as easily as when it is dry.
Skip the Hot Tub
Hot tubs offer a double whammy of excessive chemicals and high heat which will fade and stretch a suit out very quickly. If possible, wear an older suit that you won't mind losing. Or, rinse out your suit as quickly as possible.
For frequent hot tub use, choose a suit that is made of 100 percent polyester or chlorine resistant material.
Cotton and natural fibers will not hold up long in the chlorinated water.
Rinse and Dry
Bunched up swimwear doesn't rinse well. Wear your swimsuit in the bath or shower right after your swim to rinse out sand, salt or chlorine, and hang to dry. Don't roll it up in a towel and leave it for a while.
If you have the time, allow the suit to soak for 30 minutes in the bath. This will remove most of the chemicals, sand and body perspiration that harm the fabric. Plain water does not remove all the salt, dirt or chlorine. Add just a tablespoon of mild shampoo.
Cleaning
Swimsuits take a beating from all the chlorine, salt, sand, sun, sunscreen and other lotions we use while having a great time at the beach or in the pool.
These materials can be sensitive to harsh cleaners and high temperatures, so its best to hand-wash most of your swimwear. When in doubt, check the sewn-in tag.
Do not iron, do not dry clean. Do not use liquid chlorine bleach as it can lead to discolouration, stretch and eventual breakage of the Lycra fibres. Aside from that, you need only provide the care determined by the other fabrics. Wash in warm (not hot) water.
Avoid strong detergents.
Don't use washing powders because they may not dissolve completely or rinse away well.
Be sure to check the care label in the garment for washing instructions.
Only "All-fabric Bleach" may be used for cleaning any garments with Lycra,
useful for preventing any graying of the fabric caused by absorption of soils and detergents.
Drying
Keep your swimwear looking fabulous for longer with a little TLC! Avoid using a tumble dryer or placing your swimsuit near a radiator or other heat source. Heat can warp elastic and fade colours. Instead, rinse your suit gently in cool, fresh water after each swim to wash away chlorine, salt, or pool chemicals that can damage the fabric over time.
Once rinsed, squeeze (don’t wring!), out the excess water. Wringing can twist the fibres and spoil the shape. For an extra touch of care, hand wash your swimwear occasionally with a mild detergent designed for delicate fabrics. Avoid bleach or harsh cleaning products, which can be far too rough for performance materials.
Lay your suit flat on a towel in a cool, shaded spot to air-dry naturally.
Avoid direct sunlight.
Strong UV rays can cause vibrant colours to go dull and weaken the material.
Do not wrap your swimsuit in your towel.
The towel has soaked up all of the chemicals and will expose your swimsuit to their harsh effects.
Storage
When it’s fully dry, fold it neatly and store it flat in a dry place. Store your swimming clothes in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Never stuff it damp into a bag or drawer! Do not stash it away while still damp.
Fabric Memory: Let it Rest
You probably know that most swimwear is typically made from Spandex fabric. But did you know that Spandex is actually a memory fabric? This means when it gets stretched out it goes back to its original shape which takes about a day.
So don’t wear the same swimsuit on consecutive days. Make sure you give it a break. If you want to use your swimsuit daily, invest in several. Giving your suit an entire day to dry and regain its shape will increase its lifespan. Besides, you probably have a bunch of beautiful swim clothes or sportswear in your wardrobe just waiting to be worn in the water.
Easy Tips for Swimsuit Care
DO
- Take a shower before swimming.
Your swimsuit soaks up water with less chlorine rather than pool water.
This may help a little.
Avoid shower gels.
- Suntan lotions can damage and discolour the swimsuit fabric.
When applying try not to get it on your swim clothes.
- Be cautious in spas or heated pools as these have extra chemicals in and so can shorten the life of your swimwear.
- Do avoid rough surfaces. They will make the delicate fabric will look tatty and worn.
If you are in rough terrain, wear jeans and hoodie on top.
- If you’ve been swimming in open water, ensure any salt, sand or dirt is removed as soon as possible.
- Rinse your swimsuit in lukewarm water after swimming.
Keep your suit on in the bath or shower rather than wash it bunched up in a wash basin.
Avoid any shower gels!
- Rinse again by hand in cold water after removing your swimwear, separately after each use.
- Hang your swim clothes out to dry in the shade or inside to dry naturally. Let it fully dry out before wearing again.
DON'T
- Do not wear your new Lycra swimsuit in spas.
Nylon T-shirts and shorts might be a better choice as the fabric is more robust.
- Don’t throw your swimwear in a bag to rinse out when you get home,
rinse it through before you leave the pool..
- Don't leave your wet swimwear rolled up in the towel after use;
this gives the chlorine more time to rot the fabric and allows bacteria to breed.
- Don’t wash your swimwear in a washing machine or put it in a dryer.
Washing machines and detergents can be very harsh
and will damage your swimwear even if done just the once.
- Do not use an iron as the high temperatures can cause your swimsuit to disintegrate.
If you want to get rid of any wrinkles, rinse in water again and the creases should fall out.
- Do not use chlorine bleach even if your swimsuit is chlorine resistant, as chlorine resistant does not mean it is totally chlorine proof.