How to Care for Your Swimwear So It Lasts for Seasons

You’ve finally found a swimsuit that fits perfectly. The last thing you want is for it to fade, sag or go thin at the seams after one summer. Swimwear lives a hard life: chlorine, salt water, sun, sand, sunscreen and heat all work against the delicate stretch fibres that give it its shape.

The good news is that a few simple habits make a big difference. This guide covers what damages swimwear, how to wash and dry it properly, and how to store it between seasons so your favourite suits stay in rotation for years rather than months.

What actually damages swimwear

Most swimsuits are made from nylon or polyester blended with elastane (also called spandex). Elastane is what gives your suit its stretch and hold, and it’s also the most vulnerable part of the fabric. If you want to know more about how different fibres behave, our swimwear fabrics guide explains the differences.

Here’s what wears swimwear down:

• Chlorine: pool chemicals gradually break down elastane and fade colours. This is the single biggest cause of saggy, thin swimsuits for regular pool swimmers.
• Salt water: salt dries into the fabric, and can dull colours and stiffen fibres if it isn’t rinsed out.
• Sun: UV light fades dyes and weakens fibres over time, particularly bright and dark colours.
• Heat: hot water, dryers, hot tubs and direct heat damage elastane quickly.
• Sunscreen and oils: many sunscreens, tanning oils and body oils can leave stains and contribute to fabric breakdown.
• Rough surfaces: pool edges, rocks, concrete and wooden decks snag and pill fabric.
• Wringing and twisting: this stretches fibres unevenly and can distort the shape of cups and seams.

Step 1: Rinse right after swimming

The most important habit is a quick rinse in cool, fresh water as soon as you can after wearing your swimsuit, even if you only sat by the pool. Rinsing removes most of the chlorine, salt, sand and sunscreen before they have time to sit in the fabric.

If you’re at the beach with no shower nearby, rinse as soon as you get back. A quick rinse in the hotel sink is far better than leaving the suit balled up in a bag until the next day.

Pro tip: Pack a zip-lock or waterproof pouch in your beach bag for your wet swimsuit. It stops it from staying crumpled in a damp towel, which can lead to musty smells and colour transfer.

Step 2: Hand wash gently

A rinse is enough after most wears, but give your swimsuit a proper hand wash every few wears, or after every wear if you swim regularly in a pool.

• Fill a sink or bowl with cool or lukewarm water. Avoid hot water.
• Add a small amount of mild detergent. A gentle wash for delicates or a detergent made for swimwear works well.
• Turn the swimsuit inside out and gently swish it through the water for a minute or two.
• Let it soak for a few minutes if it’s particularly sandy or has sunscreen marks.
• Rinse thoroughly in cool water until no suds remain.

Avoid bleach, stain removers with harsh chemicals, and fabric softener. Softener coats the fibres and can reduce the fabric’s stretch and quick-drying ability.

Can you machine wash swimwear?

Check the care label first. Many swimsuits say hand wash only. If the label allows machine washing, use a mesh laundry bag, a cold delicate cycle and a mild detergent. Keep swimwear away from items with zips, hooks or rough fabrics like denim, which can snag it.

Swimsuits with underwire, molded cups or embellishments are best hand washed regardless of the label, as the machine can bend wires and crease cups.

Step 3: Dry flat in the shade

How you dry your swimsuit matters as much as how you wash it.

• Don’t wring it. Gently squeeze out excess water, then roll the suit in a clean towel and press to absorb more.
• Lay it flat on a drying rack or dry towel. Hanging a wet swimsuit, especially from the straps, lets the weight of the water stretch it out.
• Dry it in the shade or indoors, away from direct sunlight, to prevent fading.
• Never use a tumble dryer. The heat is one of the fastest ways to ruin elastane.
• Avoid radiators and heaters for the same reason.

Pro tip: Shape molded cups by hand while the top is still damp, and dry them face up so they keep their curve.

Special care for pools, hot tubs and the beach

For regular pool swimmers

If you swim laps several times a week, chlorine exposure adds up fast. Rinse immediately after each swim and consider wearing a chlorine-resistant polyester suit for training, keeping your softer nylon suits for beach days. Some people also shower and wet their swimsuit with fresh water before entering the pool, so the fabric absorbs less pool water.

For hot tubs

Hot tubs combine heat and chemicals, which is hard on any swimsuit. If you use hot tubs often, keep an older suit just for that purpose.

For the beach

Sand works its way into seams and linings. Shake your suit out, then rinse it well, paying attention to the lining and any gathered or textured areas where sand collects. If you’re planning a trip, our beach vacation packing list covers how many swimsuits to bring so each has time to dry.

Protecting your swimsuit from sunscreen stains

Sunscreen is essential, so keep using it and reapply it regularly. To reduce marks on your swimsuit, apply sunscreen and let it absorb for a while before putting on your swimsuit. Some sunscreen ingredients can leave yellowish stains, especially on white and light fabrics.

If you notice a stain, rinse the area in cool water as soon as possible and wash gently with a mild detergent. Avoid scrubbing hard or using bleach, which can damage the fabric and elastic.

Rotating your swimsuits

Elastane needs time to recover after it’s been stretched and exposed to water. Wearing the same swimsuit every day, especially if it doesn’t fully dry between wears, speeds up wear. Rotating between two or three suits gives each one time to dry completely and bounce back.

How to store swimwear between seasons

At the end of summer, give each swimsuit a thorough hand wash and make sure it’s completely dry before storing it. Any moisture left in the fabric can lead to mildew and odours.

• Store swimsuits flat or loosely folded in a drawer or breathable fabric bag.
• Avoid plastic bags for long-term storage, as they trap moisture.
• Keep molded cups nested together so they don’t get crushed.
• Keep swimwear away from heat and direct light.

Signs your swimsuit needs replacing

Even with great care, swimsuits don’t last forever. It’s time to replace yours when:

• The fabric has gone thin or see-through when wet.
• The elastic at the leg openings, waist or band has lost its grip.
• You see small white threads poking through the fabric, a sign the elastane is breaking down.
• The colours have faded noticeably or the fabric feels rough and stiff.
• The fit has changed and the suit no longer stays in place.

If you’re shopping for a replacement, it’s a good time to check your measurements. Our guide on how to measure yourself for a swimsuit walks you through it.

FAQ

How often should I wash my swimsuit?

Rinse it in cool fresh water after every wear. Give it a gentle hand wash with mild detergent every few wears, or after every wear if you swim in chlorinated pools.

Can I put my swimsuit in the dryer?

It’s best not to. The heat from a tumble dryer damages elastane, which causes swimsuits to lose their stretch and shape. Always dry flat in the shade instead.

How do I get rid of a chlorine smell?

Rinse your swimsuit thoroughly after swimming, then hand wash it in cool water with a mild detergent. Make sure it dries completely in a well-ventilated space. Persistent smells often mean the suit wasn’t rinsed quickly enough after swimming.

Why is my swimsuit going baggy?

Baggy swimsuits are usually the result of elastane breaking down from chlorine, heat or sunscreen. Rinsing promptly, avoiding heat and rotating between suits helps slow this process.

Is it OK to wear a swimsuit that’s still damp?

It’s better to let each swimsuit dry completely between wears. Rotating suits helps the elastic recover and prevents musty smells.

Small habits, longer-lasting swimwear

Swimwear care doesn’t need to be complicated: rinse, wash gently, dry flat and keep it away from heat. Build those habits into your routine and your favourite swimsuits will fit and look great for many more summers. When the time comes to replace one, choosing a durable fabric is another easy way to extend its life. Our sustainable swimwear guide covers that too.