Swimsuit Care 101: How To Care for Your Swimsuit

What are some good tips on how to care for a swimsuit?

1. Rinse Immediately
2. Don’t Wring it Out
3. Pretreat Stains
4. Try Handwashing
5. Avoid Harsh Detergents
6. Air Dry in the Shade
7. Avoid Rough Surfaces
8. Alternate Your Swimsuits

Everyone knows how tricky it is to find that one swimsuit that fits you perfectly. So when you’ve found one that you love, you want to be able to use it for as many beach trips and pool parties as possible. To do so, it's important to invest some of your time into the proper care techniques. So, here is our quick and easy guide on how to care for a swimsuit. With these, you make sure your swimsuits stay vibrant and beautiful for the next summer season. 

Rinse Immediately

Make sure to rinse out your swimsuit after each use — even if you don’t take a dip into the pool or ocean. Your sunscreen and suntan oils can seep into the fabric and contribute to the breakdown of the material. They can also yellow or stain over time if not rinsed out quickly. 

If you did take a swim, chlorine and saltwater can also negatively affect your swimsuit if it stays in the fabric for a while. While these substances don’t exactly degrade the material, they can cause its colors to fade quickly. Chlorine is incredibly harsh and causes a stronger effect than saltwater. 

So, rinse out your swimsuit as soon as possible with cool tap water after each use. It doesn’t even have to be done in the sink. After stepping out from the pool or the beach, taking a shower will rinse these substances well enough. But if you have enough time, make sure to soak the fabric for at least 30 minutes. This ensures that the chemicals, salt, and oils are lifted from it.

Don’t Wring it Out

When removing water from your swimsuit, always use squeezing motions rather than wringing it out. As tempting as it is, wringing it out will damage the fibers of your suit’s material. Instead, to remove the water you could use a towel to absorb as much liquid as possible from the material. Simply place your swimsuit on a dry towel, roll it up and squeeze gently, then lay your swimsuit out to dry.

Pretreat Stains

After a day out, you might end up with a few blemishes on your bathing suit. Don’t put off cleaning it till the end of the day, as they may permanently stain your bathing suit. In these cases, using some dish soap can lift most of this out before they stain the fabric. Gently scrub the soap into the spot, and use a clean towel to soak up the soap residue. You could also use baking soda to remove tougher spots. Just sprinkle some and let it sit for an hour before washing off with cool water. 

Try Handwashing

Using a washing machine might seem easy and convenient, but it can cause a lot of damage to delicate clothes — like your swimsuit. Putting these into the wash can cause snags, holes, and stretched-out fabrics. The warm water used in washing machines can also cause the swimsuit’s colors to fade. To have clean swimsuits that retain their color and shape, handwashing is the recommended method.

Avoid Harsh Detergents

Some laundry detergents have harsh chemicals that can damage not only your skin but also your swimsuits. These chemicals can eat away at the fabric, especially if left to soak for more than a few minutes. This can cause a breakdown of shape and elasticity in your swimsuit. So we recommend double-checking what detergents you’re using before starting a new load of laundry. Ensure you’re using only gentle detergent or swimsuit cleaner when washing your swimwear to preserve its fabric.

Air Dry in the Shade

 

When drying your freshly washed suits, make sure not to use a dryer. The intense heat used in this machine can cause damage to the swimsuit. The best way to dry them is by air drying them — just make sure not to hang them up. Much like wringing them out, hanging your swimsuits by their straps can stretch out the fabric. Additionally, most swimsuit fabrics will fade under strong sunlight. So when air drying your suits, make sure to lie them flat on a cool, smooth surface with plenty of shade and ventilation.

Avoid Rough Surfaces

Pilling is a nightmare to deal with. The tiny, fuzzy balls of fiber that appear on your swimsuit are a strong sign of fabric deterioration. To prevent this, avoid sitting or lying directly on any rough surfaces, including pool decks and chairs. Instead, make sure to put down a towel or any other fabric in between your swimsuit and the surface. This extra layer will protect it from any snags and tears. 

Alternate Your Swimsuits

Your swimsuit is made from stretchy material so it can fit perfectly to your body’s curves. However, this material can still get too stretched out by frequent use. A good idea to prevent this is to alternate between your swimsuits. Most swimsuits will need about a day to snap back to their original form. So if you’re planning on going on a beach trip, it's essential to bring more than one swimsuit. Remember to bring enough so that each piece has enough time to be washed, dried, and bounce back to its proper shape.

Key Takeaway

Having one of your favorite swimsuits get worn out or faded can be disappointing, but there are a few things you can do to preserve your clothes for a bit longer. Use this guide on how to care for your swimsuit to save your favorite pieces for your next trip. 

In case you find that some of your beach outfits need to be replaced, check out EIKA’s extensive collection of swimwear! Shop for stylish pieces that will surely become your new favorites.