The average swimsuit lasts one summer. The fabric goes baggy, the color fades, the elastic dies. Most people accept this and buy new pieces every spring.
It does not have to be that way. With about 30 seconds of care after each wear, your swimsuit can last three summers easily. Maybe four. Here is exactly how.
The 30 second rule
Right when you get out of the pool, ocean, or hot tub, find fresh water and rinse your suit. Even if you are not done with the day yet. Even if you are just going to lay out and put the suit back on later.
Why? Chlorine, salt, sunscreen, body oils, and bacteria all chew through swimwear fabric. The longer they sit on the fabric, the more damage they do. A 30 second rinse removes most of it before it has a chance to settle in.
Tap water works. A pool shower works. A hose works. You do not need anything special.
The wash
When you get home, hand wash your suit with cool water and a mild detergent. The fancy swimwear detergents (Soak, Tide Studio, Eucalan) work great, but a tiny drop of regular gentle laundry detergent or even a clean dish soap works too.
How to actually hand wash:
- Fill a sink or basin with cool fresh water.
- Add a small amount of detergent (less than you think, swimwear is small).
- Submerge the suit and gently swish for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Drain the water and refill with clean cool water to rinse.
- Press the suit between your hands to push out excess water. Do not wring.
Whole process takes about 4 minutes. That is the entire commitment.
The dry
Lay flat to dry on a clean dry towel, out of direct sunlight. Roll the suit in the towel and gently press to remove more water before laying flat.
Do not:
- Hang dry by the straps (gravity stretches the elastic out of shape)
- Use the dryer (the heat kills lycra and spandex)
- Dry in direct sun (UV bleaches the print and breaks down fibers)
- Iron (please do not iron your swimsuit)
The suit should be fully dry within a few hours. Flip it halfway through to dry both sides evenly.
The storage
Once dry, store flat in a drawer. Do not hang. Do not roll. Just lay flat. If you have multiple suits, separate them with a piece of tissue paper or a clean cotton t shirt so the prints do not transfer color in warm storage.
If you are putting suits away for winter, make sure they are completely dry, store in a cool dark place, and avoid plastic bags which trap moisture.
The five things that destroy swimwear fastest
- Chlorine. The worst offender. Always rinse right after pool.
- Sunscreen and tanning oils. Especially mineral SPF with zinc and avobenzone. Let SPF soak in for 15 minutes before putting your suit on if possible.
- Hot tubs and saunas. The heat plus chlorine plus chemicals destroy elastic. Rinse twice if you are a hot tub regular.
- The washing machine. Tossing your suit in with the rest of your laundry stretches it permanently. Hand wash always.
- Rough surfaces. Concrete pool decks, wood docks, and rough beach chairs all snag swimwear. Sit on a towel.
If your color already faded
Faded swimwear is generally not coming back. But you can slow further fading with a vinegar rinse: add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to your final rinse water. This helps set the remaining color.
If the elastic already went
Elastic that has lost its snap is replaceable only with major surgery. Easier to retire the piece. A swimsuit that does not stay put is not a swimsuit, it is a problem.
What we make
Bikini Break pieces are quick dry stretch fabric with full lining. With this care routine, they should hold up beautifully for three summers and counting. Shop the Breakout Collection if you want suits that earn the care.