How to Wash Swimsuits: Extend Life and Maintain Fit

Swimsuits are delicate and expensive — proper washing extends their life from one season to years. Machine washing, hot water, and machine drying are the fastest ways to damage elastic and fade colors. This guide covers gentle care that keeps swimsuits fitting and looking like new.

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Why Swimsuit Care Matters

Swimsuits combine elastic, spandex, and delicate nylon or polyester. Chlorine and salt water degrade elastic immediately, hot water accelerates this breakdown, and machine washing creates excessive friction. Proper care restores the fit and color after each swim.

Rinse Immediately After Swimming

This is the most important step. Chlorine and salt embed in fabric fibers, degrading elastic and causing color fading. Rinsing immediately after swimming removes these chemicals before they damage the suit.

Process: Hold the wet swimsuit under cool running water (or shower) and gently squeeze the water through the fabric. Avoid agitation or wringing — just let fresh water flow through it.

If you can't rinse immediately, at least rinse before washing a few hours later.

Hand Washing (Only Method)

Never machine wash swimsuits — even on a delicate cycle, the agitation damages elastic and accelerates degradation.

Process:

1. Fill a sink or basin with cool (not cold) fresh water.
2. Add a small amount of gentle detergent or swimsuit wash — use much less than normal (a few drops).
3. Submerge the swimsuit and gently agitate with your hands for 2–3 minutes.
4. Do not scrub, wring, or twist — gentleness is key.
5. Drain and rinse thoroughly in fresh cool water until all soap is gone (usually 3–4 rinses).
6. Gently squeeze out excess water (don't wring).

Drying Swimsuits

Best method: Air dry flat: Lay the swimsuit on a clean, dry towel away from direct sunlight. Turn it occasionally so both sides dry evenly. This takes 12–24 hours but is gentlest on elastic.

Alternative: Hang on a hanger: Hang from the straps if the suit is still wet (to avoid stretching), or lay it flat once mostly dry. Never hang when fully wet for extended periods — the weight stretches the elastic.

Never use a dryer: High heat permanently damages elastic and can melt synthetic fabrics.

Chlorine and Salt Prevention

Shower before swimming: Rinsing your body before entering the pool or ocean reduces the amount of sweat, oils, and other contaminants that get into your suit.

Avoid sitting wet: Don't sit around in a wet, chlorinated suit for hours. The longer chlorine is in contact with the suit, the more damage occurs.

Rotate swimsuits: If you swim frequently, owning 2–3 suits allows them to dry fully between uses and extends elastic life significantly.

What NOT to Do

Never machine wash or machine dry.

Never use hot water — cool water only.

Never wring or twist — gently squeeze only.

Never hang heavy when soaking wet — this permanently stretches the elastic.

Never use fabric softener or bleach.

Never dry in direct sunlight — UV rays fade colors and can damage synthetic fibers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I wash a swimsuit? After every swim or wear. Chlorine and salt degrade the suit with each exposure, so washing immediately removes these chemicals and extends the suit's life.

Can I machine wash on a delicate cycle? Even a delicate cycle causes more agitation than hand washing and is not recommended. Hand washing takes 5 minutes and is worth the effort to extend suit life.

Why does my swimsuit smell like chlorine even after washing? Thorough rinsing is critical. Make sure you rinse 3–4 times until no soapy water remains. If smell persists, soak for 30 minutes in cool water with a tiny bit of white vinegar (1 tablespoon per sink) before rinsing again.

How long should a swimsuit last? With proper care (hand washing, cool water, no machine drying), a quality swimsuit lasts 1–2 years or 100+ wears. Without care, 1 season or fewer.

The Bottom Line

Swimsuit care is simple: rinse immediately, hand wash gently, and air dry. These steps extend suit life dramatically and maintain the elastic stretch that keeps your swimsuit fitting properly. The 5 minutes of hand washing is a small investment for a suit that lasts years instead of one season.

For related delicate care, see washing bras properly and washing silk and delicate fabrics.