Love your suit
You finally found that adorable swimsuit you love! Now, how do you keep it looking new and lasting longer?
Show it some love!
We've had a lot of questions about this so we have compiled some tips to make your favorite suit last longer.
Hot water, chlorine, and sunscreen are not your swimsuit's friends. These things are not only hard on suits but can ruin them. The spandex in fabric that makes them cling just right to your body makes them vulnerable to heat and harsh chemicals.
RINSE ASAP:
The absolute best thing you can do for the health of your bathing suit is to always, always—rinse it out after you've taken a dip, regardless of whether you do your swimming in fresh, salt, or chlorinated water.
The rinse rule also applies to suits you've worn only to sun yourself—rinsing is still ideal to wash away sunscreen, sweat, and your own natural oils, which can cause the fibers to become stained, yellow, or broken down over time.
PREVENT DISCOLORING:
Unfortunately, darker bathing suits can suffer from fading over time—sunshine will do its thing and, if you're a pool gal, the chlorine will take a toll as well. To ward off fading, be religious about the post-wear rinse. I know I'm really banging on about this one, but it's such a simple thing that will go a long way in preserving your favorite suit. Wash with a small amount of detergent that is formulated especially for use on dark clothing.
On the flip side, your white or lighter colored suits can suffer from yellowing. That's due to a combination of chlorine damage and a buildup of skin, body oil, and sweat. Rinse immediately after use is the best way to prevent this. The internet is filled with ways to remove these stains if you get them.
HAND WASH:
The issue with washing machines is that they agitate all the delicate parts (like the cups, padding, ties, etc.). All this movement can damage a suit, leaving things bunched, stretched, or otherwise ill-fitting.
Soap Up. Wash a suit with mild hand soap or a detergent meant for delicates using COLD water. A standard laundry detergent is too harsh.
Dry Off. Resist the urge to wring out every last drop of water. Doing so can damage the fibers, leaving your suit sagging in all the wrong places. Hanging a swimsuit (especially by the ties) can stretch it out, too. Instead, lay the suit out on a towel, roll the towel up and squeeze gently, then lay your swimsuit out to dry. Avoid drying it in sunshine, which can fade the color. Always dry the suit out completely before putting it away.
ROTATE SUITS:
Spandex is a “memory fabric,” meaning it needs a full day to snap back to its usual position. If you’re on vacation or wearing bathing suits often, it’s essential to have more than one so that each suit has 24 hours to bounce back (not to mention time to wash and dry it completely).
KEEP COOL:
Hot water is hard on swimwear. Never wash your bathing suit in hot water, and avoid too many dips in the hot tub with a favorite suit. Hot tub daily? Reserve one suit just for the hot tub.
SIT ON A TOWEL:
Whenever you’re sitting on the ground- next to the hot tub or pool, on a wooden bench, or on any other rough surface, try to sit on a towel. Those impromptu seats can snag and tear the material.