A Comprehensive Guide on How to Wash Swimwear and Dry It

Every time you step into the swimming pool or ocean, your swimwear takes a beating. Chlorine, saltwater, sunscreen, and natural body oils embed themselves directly into the fabric. If left to sit, these elements act as abrasives, slowly eating away at the synthetic performance fibers.

To preserve swimwear elasticity and keep your suits looking vibrant, an immediate cold water rinse is non-negotiable. From there, we learn how to wash swimwear the right way.

How to Hand Wash Swimwear (The Best Method)

Why Hand Washing Reigns Supreme

Hand-washing bikinis and one-pieces is the absolute best way to preserve swimwear elasticity. While the washing machine is convenient, the friction and spinning can permanently stretch out spandex and nylon fabric care fibers. Taking a few minutes to hand wash your suits keeps them fitting like new, prevents fading, and ensures you get the most out of your favorite pieces.

Step-by-Step Hand Washing Protocol

Follow this simple, routine-tested guide on how to clean a bathing suit safely by hand:

• Step 1: Fill the Basin
  Fill a clean sink or basin with cool or lukewarm water. Avoid hot water at all costs, as heat breaks down the elastic bonds in swimwear fabrics.
• Step 2: Add the Right Soap
  Mix in a tablespoon of mild liquid detergent or a specialized delicate wash. Never use harsh detergents, bleach, or fabric softeners, as they strip the fabric coatings and ruin the stretch.
• Step 3: Soak and Swish
  Submerge your swimsuit and gently swish it through the soapy water for a few minutes. Let it soak for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the soap to break down embedded sunscreen oils and sweat.
• Step 4: The Clean Rinse
  Drain the soapy water and refill the basin with clean, cold water. Submerge the suit and gently press the fabric to release the soap. Repeat this cold water rinse until the water runs completely clear and suds-free.

The Power of an Immediate Cold Water Rinse

Waiting until you get home to clean your swimwear is a recipe for faded colors and stretched-out fabric. A quick rinse right after you step out of the water flushes out harsh contaminants before they can lock into the fibers.

• Chlorine Neutralization: Prevents the chemical bleaching and breakdown of spandex and nylon fabric care structures.
• Salt Removal: Flushes away abrasive salt crystals that weaken fabric elasticity.
• Oil Extraction: Strips away body oils and sunscreens that cause yellowing and staining.

Can You Wash Swimsuits in the Washing Machine?

The short answer is yes—but only if you take strict precautions. While hand-washing is always the safest bet for preserving swimwear elasticity, we know that a washing machine delicate cycle is sometimes the only realistic option after a tired day at the pool or beach. If you choose to machine-wash, you must follow a strict checklist to prevent your favorite bikinis and trunks from stretching out or wearing out prematurely.

The Machine-Wash Checklist

To safely clean a bathing suit in the washer without destroying the delicate spandex and nylon fabric, always follow these rules:

• The Secret Weapon: Always use a mesh laundry bag. Tossing your swimwear loose into the drum is a recipe for disaster. A mesh bag acts as a shield, preventing straps from tangling around the agitator, snagging on hardware, or stretching out of shape.
• Select the Right Cycle: Set your machine to the delicate or hand-wash cycle. This ensures a low spin speed, which keeps the machine from violently wringing out the fabric and ruining its shape.
• Keep the Water Cold: Only use cold water. Hot water breaks down the elastic fibers in swimwear, leading to a saggy fit.
• Wash Swimwear Solo: Never wash your swimsuits with heavy clothing, denim, or abrasive beach towels. Coarse fabrics and heavy zippers will rub against the smooth nylon, causing pilling and fabric degradation. Turn your suits inside out and wash them only with other ultra-delicate items.

How to Dry Washed Swimsuit: Tumble Dryer vs. Air Drying

Can you put swimsuits in the dryer? The short answer is no. High heat is the ultimate enemy of spandex and nylon, destroying the elasticity and causing your favorite suit to sag and fade. To keep your swimwear looking and fitting like new, skip the dryer and follow this foolproof two-step drying method.

The Towel Roll Trick (How to Squeeze Out Water Safely)

Never wring or twist your swimsuit to get the excess water out. Twisting snaps the delicate synthetic fibers and permanently warps the shape. Instead, use the towel roll trick to safely prep your suit for air drying:

• Lay a clean, dry, lint-free towel flat on a hard surface.
• Place your freshly rinsed or washed bathing suit flat on top of the towel.
• Roll the towel up tightly from one end to the other, wrapping the swimsuit inside like a burrito.
• Gently press down on the rolled towel to absorb the bulk of the moisture.
• Unroll the towel and remove the suit. It will be damp but no longer dripping wet.

The Best Way to Air Dry

Once you’ve removed the excess water, it is time to finish the job correctly.

• Air dry flat: Always lay your swimsuit flat on a clean towel or a mesh drying rack.
• Avoid hangers: Never hang a wet bathing suit by its straps. The weight of the water pooling at the bottom will stretch out the fabric and ruin the fit.
• Keep out of direct sunlight: Find a shaded, well-ventilated indoor or outdoor spot. Direct sunlight bakes the fabric, bleaches the colors, and breaks down the elasticity.

Troubleshooting Common Swimwear Nightmares

Even with careful wear, your favorite suits can run into trouble. From stubborn yellow streaks to trapped beach grit, here is how to fix the most common issues and keep your beachwear looking brand new.

1.How to Get Sunscreen Stains Out

Sunscreen is essential for sun protection, but its ingredients—especially avobenzone—can leave nasty yellow stains on light fabrics. To get sunscreen stains out of swimwear, skip the bleach, which actually reacts with the chemicals and makes the stain worse.

• The Fix: Create a paste using equal parts baking soda and warm water.
• Application: Smudge the paste directly onto the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes.
• Wash: Gently scrub the area with a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush, then wash the suit as normal. For tough oil stains, a drop of dawn dish soap works wonders.

2.How to Remove Chlorine Smell and Brighten Fabrics

If your suit smells like a public pool even after a rinse, chlorine is trapped in the synthetic fibers. Over time, this chemical eats away at the fabric, causing colors to fade and whites to yellow.

• The Vinegar Soak: Submerge the suit in a basin of cold water mixed with one cup of white vinegar. Let it soak for 30 minutes. The vinegar neutralizes the chlorine, kills odor-causing bacteria, and naturally brightens the fabric without stripping the dye.
• The Baking Soda Bath: Alternatively, dissolved baking soda in a sink of cold water will effectively remove chlorine smell from swimsuit fabrics while restoring vibrancy.

3.How to Get Sand Out of Swimsuit Lining

Fine beach sand loves to get trapped inside the mesh weave of double-lined bikinis and one-pieces. Trying to rub it out while the suit is wet will only push the grains deeper into the fabric.

• Step 1: Let the swimsuit air dry completely.
• Step 2: Give the dry suit a aggressive shake to loosen the surface grains.
• Step 3: Use a hairdryer on the cool setting to blow the remaining sand out of the fabric pores, or gently stretch the dry fabric over a flat surface and vacuum it with a hose attachment.

Essential Do’s and Don’ts of Swimwear Longevity

When you invest in high-quality bikinis and one-pieces, knowing how to wash swimwear is only half the battle. How you treat your suits between washes determines how long they maintain their shape and vibrant colors.

Follow these essential rules to keep your favorite pieces looking brand new all summer long.

The Berlook Care Note: Rotate Your Suits

Give it a 24-hour rest - Spandex is a memory fabric. It needs roughly 24 hours to completely snap back into its original shape after being stretched out during a swim. If you want to preserve swimwear elasticity, avoid wearing the exact same suit two days in a row. Always rotate your collection.

Avoid Rough Surfaces

• Don’t sit directly on concrete or wood: Rough pool ledges, wooden docks, and textured concrete surfaces are the ultimate enemies of smooth spandex and nylon fabric care.
• Do sit on a towel: Snags and fabric pilling happen instantly on abrasive surfaces. Always lay down a soft beach towel before you sit down to protect the fabric.

Beware of Public Hot Tubs

• Don’t wear luxury suits in hot tubs: High-heat public hot tubs require massive amounts of chlorine to stay sanitary. This lethal combination of intense heat and heavy chemicals will quickly bleach bright colors and fry the elastic fibers.
• Do use a designated “tub suit”: Keep your favorite luxury swimwear safe. Dedicate an older, older-rotation suit specifically for hot tub sessions so you don’t ruin your best gear.

Storing Your Swimwear for the Off-Season

When summer fades, how you store your bikinis and one-pieces determines if they will survive until next year. Proper off-season storage preserves fabric elasticity and prevents your favorite pieces from stretching out or rotting in the dark.

Never Store a Damp Suit

Before packing anything away, ensure your swimwear is 100% bone-dry. Even a tiny amount of trapped moisture will breed mildew, ruin the fabric, and cause foul, musty odors that are nearly impossible to wash out later. Give your suits an extra day of air drying just to be completely sure.

Lay Flat in a Breathable Space

When it comes to long-term storage, ditch the hangers and the plastic bins.

• Lay them flat: Storing your swimsuits flat in a fabric organizer or a breathable dresser drawer is the best way to maintain their shape.
• Do not hang: Hanging swimsuits by their straps for months at a time causes gravity to pull at the wet-strength fabric, permanently stretching out the shoulders and torso.
• Avoid plastic bags: Sealed plastic containers trap residual moisture and humidity, which destroys spandex over time. Stick to cotton storage bags or lined drawers.

FAQs About How to Wash Swimwear

Can you use regular detergent on swimwear?

Standard laundry detergent is too harsh for high-performance swimwear fabrics. Heavy-duty formulas and powder detergents break down the elasticity of spandex and fade bright colors. Instead, choose a mild liquid detergent or a specialized swimsuit wash to keep your suits in perfect shape.

How often should you wash a bathing suit?

You should rinse your swimsuit in cold water after every single wear to remove chlorine, salt, and oils. However, you only need to deep clean it with a mild soap every three to five wears—unless you’ve been sweating heavily or applying heavy layers of sunscreen.

Will vinegar ruin a swimsuit?

No, white vinegar will not ruin your suit if used correctly. In fact, a tablespoon of white vinegar mixed into a cold water soak is an excellent way to remove chlorine smell from a swimsuit and neutralize odor-causing bacteria without damaging the fabric.

How do you fix a crunchy swimsuit?

A crunchy swimsuit is usually caused by dried-out chlorine or detergent buildup. To restore its softness:

• Soak: Submerge the suit in a basin of lukewarm water mixed with one tablespoon of baking soda.
• Swish: Let it sit for 30 minutes, then gently swish the fabric.
• Rinse and Dry: Rinse thoroughly with cold water and air dry flat out of direct sunlight.