How Often Should You Wash Your Swimsuit? (And How to Do It Right)

Swimsuits take more abuse per wear than almost any piece of clothing. Chlorine, saltwater, sunscreen, sweat, and sand all degrade fabric fast — but how you clean them (and how often) determines how long they actually last. Most people either wash too rarely or wash incorrectly, and both habits shorten swimsuit life dramatically.

This guide covers exactly how often to wash swimsuits, the right method for different fabrics, and the mistakes that ruin elastic and color fastest.

Why Swimsuits Need to Be Washed So Frequently

Unlike regular clothing, swimsuits are exposed to a combination of harsh chemicals and body fluids simultaneously. Each exposure compounds damage if not rinsed out quickly:

• Chlorine: Bleaches color and breaks down elastic (spandex/lycra) fibers at the molecular level
• Saltwater: Draws moisture from fabric, stiffens fibers, and causes color fade
• Sunscreen and oils: Penetrate fabric weave and are difficult to remove if left to set
• Sweat and body oils: Cause yellowing and odor buildup, especially under heat
• Sand: Acts as an abrasive — particles caught in fabric wear down fibers with movement

A swimsuit rinsed thoroughly after each use will last 2–3 times longer than one that isn't. This is the single most impactful habit you can build.

The Post-Swim Rinse: Do It Every Time

The moment you finish swimming, rinse the swimsuit in cool, clean water — ideally within 30 minutes. This removes the bulk of chlorine, salt, and surface sunscreen before they can set into the fibers.

Use cool water only. Hot water opens fabric fibers, allowing chemicals and oils to penetrate deeper rather than rinsing out. Pool showers (even if brief) count toward this rinse — take your swimsuit off and rinse it while showering.

How Often to Do a Full Wash

A post-swim rinse removes surface contaminants but not everything. A proper wash is needed to clear oils, residual chlorine, sunscreen ingredients, and sweat that have soaked into the fabric. The guideline:

• After every pool swim: Chlorine is highly corrosive — wash after every chlorinated session, not just rinse
• After every ocean swim: Saltwater is less damaging than chlorine but still warrants a full wash within 24 hours
• After 1–2 uses in a lake or calm water: Wash after each use if sunscreen was applied; every 2 uses otherwise
• After wearing as beachwear without swimming: Wash after 2–3 wears if you sweat heavily, or after any time you apply sunscreen directly to the suit

How to Hand Wash a Swimsuit (Best Method)

Hand washing is the safest method for swimsuits and takes under 5 minutes. It's gentler on elastic than machine washing and is the recommended method for high-quality or structured suits.

1. Fill a basin or sink with cool water (never warm or hot)
2. Add a small amount of gentle, swimsuit-specific detergent or a mild liquid detergent (fragrance-free is ideal)
3. Submerge the swimsuit and gently work the fabric between your fingers — squeeze rather than scrub
4. Pay extra attention to areas with sunscreen buildup: bust lining, waistband, back panel
5. Rinse thoroughly in cool water until no suds remain
6. Press (do not wring) excess water out by folding the suit and squeezing gently against the side of the basin
7. Lay flat on a clean towel to dry — do not hang (hanging stretches fabric under its own wet weight)

Can You Machine Wash Swimsuits?

Yes, but with caution. Machine washing is faster and fine for sturdier suits, but requires the right settings:

• Use the delicates or gentle cycle only
• Use cold water — never warm or hot
• Place the swimsuit in a mesh laundry bag to prevent snags and reduce agitation
• Use a mild, fragrance-free detergent at half the normal amount
• Skip fabric softener — it coats elastic fibers and degrades stretch over time
• Remove promptly and air dry flat — never put in the dryer

Suits That Should Never Be Machine Washed

• Swimsuits with underwire or molded cups (washing machine deforms the structure)
• Suits with embellishments, sequins, or glued decorations
• High-performance technical swim suits (competition suits designed for pool training)
• Anything labeled "hand wash only"

Drying Swimsuits: The Rules

How you dry a swimsuit matters almost as much as how you wash it.

Common Mistakes That Ruin Swimsuits

• Wringing the suit dry: Twisting damages elastic fibers — always squeeze, never wring
• Leaving it in a wet bag too long: A damp swimsuit in a sealed bag grows mildew within hours in warm weather — rinse and air out as soon as possible
• Using regular detergent in large quantities: Heavy detergent residue stiffens fabric and is hard to fully rinse
• Sitting on rough surfaces in a wet suit: Textured concrete or rough pool decking abrades the fabric from the outside while it's most vulnerable
• Spraying sunscreen directly onto the suit: Spray sunscreen is particularly damaging — apply to skin first, let dry, then put the suit on

How Long Should a Swimsuit Last?

With proper care, a quality swimsuit should last 1–2 seasons (roughly 100–200 wears) for casual use, or one season for frequent swimmers. Signs a swimsuit is past its prime:

• Fabric has turned sheer (lining shows through)
• Elastic is loose or wavy — the suit doesn't bounce back after stretching
• Pilling or fuzzing on the surface
• Persistent odor that doesn't wash out
• Color has faded significantly or become uneven

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I wash a brand-new swimsuit before wearing it?

Yes. New swimsuits may have sizing agents, dyes, or manufacturing residues. Wash once before the first wear to remove these and set the color.

Can I use dish soap to wash a swimsuit?

A tiny drop of mild dish soap can work in a pinch, but it's not ideal — some formulas are too harsh for delicate swimsuit fabric. A pH-neutral, gentle laundry detergent is a better choice.

Why does my swimsuit smell even after washing?

Odor that persists after washing is usually sunscreen or oil that wasn't fully removed. Soak the suit in a solution of cool water and a tablespoon of white vinegar for 30 minutes before washing — this helps break down oil residue and neutralize odor.

Is it safe to wash multiple swimsuits together?

Yes, as long as colors are similar (dark suits can bleed onto light ones in the first few washes). Washing in cool water reduces bleeding risk significantly.

How do I get sunscreen stains out of a swimsuit?

Apply a small amount of gentle dish soap directly to the stain, work it in with your fingers, let sit 5 minutes, then rinse before a full wash. For set-in mineral sunscreen (white residue), a soft toothbrush can help work the product out of the weave.

Can I use baking soda or vinegar on swimsuits?

A diluted white vinegar soak (1 tablespoon per liter of water) is effective for odor and mild mildew. Baking soda paste can spot-treat stains. Avoid using them together (they neutralize each other) and always rinse thoroughly afterward.

Conclusion

The rule is simple: rinse after every single swim, and do a proper gentle wash every 1–3 uses depending on exposure. The 5 minutes it takes to hand wash your swimsuit after a pool session adds months of life to the fabric and keeps it looking its best. Avoid the dryer, skip the heavy detergent, and lay flat to dry — that's really all it takes.

Taking care of your swimsuit is part of a larger approach to fabric care. See our guide on how to wash athletic wear and how often to wash bath towels for more on caring for performance fabrics.