How to Wash a Swimsuit Without Damaging It

A swimsuit needs gentler care than an everyday T-shirt, but “hand wash only” is not a universal rule. The correct method starts with the care label because swimwear can combine nylon, polyester, elastane, lining, padding, metal hardware and decorative details.

For most swimsuits, the safest routine is simple: rinse after use, wash gently with a small amount of suitable detergent, avoid wringing and air-dry away from direct heat. If the label permits machine washing, use a mesh bag and a low-agitation cycle.

Quick answer

1. Read the swimsuit care label.
2. Rinse the suit in cool fresh water after swimming or wearing it.
3. Hand wash for the gentlest option.
4. Machine wash only if the care label allows it.
5. Use a mild detergent labeled for delicates or synthetic fabrics and dose it according to the product instructions.
6. Skip fabric softener and bleach unless both the garment and product labels explicitly allow them.
7. Press out water gently; do not wring or twist.
8. Reshape and air-dry using the method shown on the care label.
9. Keep the suit away from a tumble dryer, radiator and direct heat unless the label specifically permits them.
10. Store it only when completely dry.

Start with the care label

Care label or construction	Direction
Hand wash or delicate trim	Use a supported, gentle hand wash within the label limits.
Machine washing permitted	Use a mesh bag, a gentle cycle and low spin as permitted.
Heavy wet garment or flat-dry symbol	Support the full garment; do not hang it by thin straps.
Line drying permitted	Use a rack or line without stretching the garment.

Swimsuits do not all have the same construction. A plain polyester training suit may tolerate a different wash process from a lined fashion swimsuit with elastane, padding, underwire, beads or metal trim.

Look for:

• hand-wash or machine-wash symbol;
• maximum water temperature;
• delicate-cycle lines under the washtub;
• bleach restrictions;
• tumble-dry restrictions;
• flat-dry or line-dry instructions.

If the label says hand wash, follow the hand-washing method below. If it allows a washing machine, the machine method can be used with extra protection.

Use Laundry Symbols Explained to read the garment care instructions.

Rinse after every use

Rinse the swimsuit in cool fresh water as soon as practical after a pool, ocean or hot-tub session. This helps remove chlorine, salt, sunscreen, body oils and other residue before the suit is stored.

Rinsing is not always the same as a full wash. Manufacturer advice varies, so use the care label, how soiled the suit is and how soon you will wear it again to decide when detergent is needed.

Do not leave a wet swimsuit sealed in a bag or rolled inside a towel for hours. If you cannot wash it immediately, rinse it and allow airflow until you can clean it properly.

How to hand wash a swimsuit

Hand washing is the lowest-friction option and is suitable when the label requires it or when the suit has delicate straps, padding, hardware or decoration.

1. Prepare the basin

Use a clean sink or basin and fill it with cool or lukewarm water within the temperature allowed by the care label.

2. Add suitable detergent

Choose a mild detergent labeled for delicates or the swimsuit’s fiber type. Dose it according to the detergent label and the amount of water.

More detergent does not mean a cleaner suit. Excess product is harder to rinse and may leave residue.

3. Wash gently

Submerge the swimsuit and move it gently through the water. Avoid scrubbing, stretching the straps, rubbing fabric against itself or pulling on padding and trim.

Use the wash or soak time stated by the garment or detergent instructions. Do not use an arbitrary long soak.

4. Rinse thoroughly

Drain the wash water and rinse with fresh water until detergent residue is gone. Support the full garment instead of lifting a heavy wet suit by one strap.

5. Remove excess water

Press the suit gently against the side of the basin. Do not wring or twist it.

If the care instructions allow it, lay the suit on a clean towel, roll the towel around it and press gently to absorb moisture.

For the general basin technique, see how to hand wash clothes; keep the swimsuit label as the limit.

How to machine wash a swimsuit

Use a washing machine only when the care label permits it.

1. Fasten any closures that could catch on fabric.
2. Turn the swimsuit inside out if the construction allows it.
3. Place it in a mesh laundry bag.
4. Wash it with lightweight, smooth items—not towels, jeans or garments with exposed zippers and hooks.
5. Select the label-approved delicate or gentle cycle, low spin and cool water.
6. Use a small, label-directed dose of mild detergent.
7. Skip fabric softener and unapproved bleach.
8. Remove the swimsuit promptly when the cycle ends.
9. Reshape and air-dry according to the care label.

A machine-safe swimsuit does not need to be treated as hand-wash-only. The label is the deciding factor.

For the reasoning behind the softener restriction, see what not to wash with fabric softener.

How to dry a swimsuit

Most swimwear should be air-dried, but the correct position depends on the label and construction.

• Lay flat when the label shows a flat-dry symbol or the wet garment is heavy.
• Use a drying rack or line when the label permits it.
• Avoid hanging a saturated suit from thin straps because the wet weight can distort them.
• Dry in shade or indoors with airflow.
• Keep away from radiators, hair dryers and other direct heat.
• Do not tumble dry unless the care label explicitly allows it.

Reshape cups, lining and straps while the swimsuit is damp. Make sure the suit is fully dry before folding or storing it.

How often should you wash a swimsuit?

Rinse after every use.

A full detergent wash is appropriate when the suit contains noticeable chlorine, salt, sunscreen, sweat, body oil or odor, and before longer storage. Some manufacturers recommend washing after every use, while others distinguish between an immediate rinse and a deeper wash as needed.

When in doubt, follow the swimsuit label or brand care instructions rather than a universal schedule.

What about sunscreen stains?

Routine rinsing helps reduce sunscreen buildup, but a visible greasy, white, yellow or orange mark is a stain-removal task.

Do not scrub the stain or apply a strong cleaner without checking the fabric. Follow the dedicated sunscreen-stain guide, which separates ordinary oily residue from possible iron-related orange discoloration.

For a visible mark, follow the sunscreen stain guide, not a stronger routine wash.

What if the swimsuit still smells like chlorine?

Rinse it thoroughly, then wash it with a compatible mild detergent according to the care label. Repeat the rinse if detergent or pool residue remains.

Do not automatically add vinegar, bleach or another household chemical. If ordinary washing does not help, use a product specifically labeled for chlorine odor and the swimsuit fabric, or ask the manufacturer.

A persistent odor can also mean the suit was stored while damp or was not rinsed thoroughly.

What if sand is trapped in the fabric?

Let the swimsuit dry enough that loose sand can fall away, then shake it gently outdoors. Rinse seams and lining with fresh water without scrubbing the fabric.

Do not put a sand-filled suit straight into the washer. Sand can remain in the drum, filter or seals.

See removing sand from a washing machine if sand has already entered the appliance.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Ignoring the care label.
• Saying every swimsuit must be hand washed.
• Washing with towels, denim, hooks or exposed zippers.
• Using a universal teaspoon or “few drops” of detergent.
• Treating baby shampoo or dish soap as the default cleaner.
• Adding fabric softener to elastane swimwear.
• Wringing or twisting the wet suit.
• Hanging a heavy wet suit by thin straps.
• Using direct heat to speed up drying.
• Leaving the suit wet in a sealed bag.
• Applying vinegar or bleach to solve odor without label approval.
• Claiming an exact number of years or wears for every swimsuit.

FAQ

Can you wash a swimsuit in the washing machine?

Yes, if the care label allows it. Use a mesh bag, a gentle cycle, low spin, cool water and a suitable mild detergent. Hand washing remains the gentlest option.

Should you wash a swimsuit after every use?

Rinse it after every use. Use detergent when the suit has chlorine, salt, sunscreen, body oil, sweat or odor, and before storage. Follow the manufacturer’s schedule when available.

What detergent should you use for swimwear?

Use a mild laundry detergent labeled for delicates or the relevant synthetic fabric. Follow its dosing instructions. Personal-care products are not automatically suitable for textile care.

Can you use fabric softener on a swimsuit?

The practical default is no, especially for elastane swimwear. Use it only if the garment and product labels explicitly permit it.

Can a swimsuit go in the dryer?

Only if the care label says it can. Most swimsuits are safer air-dried away from direct heat.

How do you remove chlorine smell from a swimsuit?

Rinse thoroughly and wash with a compatible mild detergent. Avoid improvised vinegar or bleach treatments. If odor remains, use a product specifically approved for the fabric or contact the manufacturer.

How do you remove sunscreen from a swimsuit?

Use the dedicated sunscreen-stain method and check the care label first. Avoid aggressive rubbing, long unapproved soaks and strong chemicals on stretch fabric.

Can you fix a stretched or shrunken swimsuit?

Usually not completely. Stop using heat or aggressive washing, follow the care label and reshape the suit while damp. Damaged elastic may not recover and may require replacement.

The bottom line

The best swimsuit-care routine is not a universal list of “never” rules. Read the label, rinse after use, choose the gentlest permitted wash method, use a suitable detergent, avoid wringing and dry the suit without direct heat.

Hand washing is usually the lowest-risk option. A washing machine is also acceptable when the manufacturer allows it and you protect the suit with a mesh bag, gentle cycle and low spin.

Sources

• Maytag: How to Wash a Swimsuit