Rinsing your swimsuit in cool water immediately after each swim, hand washing it gently with mild detergent, and rolling it in a towel to dry will extend its life significantly.
The average swimsuit starts to fade and stretch out long before it should, and the culprit is almost always the way it gets treated between swims. Chlorine, salt, sunscreen, and body oil attack the elastic fibers from the moment you step out of the water, and most suits are ruined not by swimming, but by the drying and washing rituals that follow. The fix is a simple routine that takes under five minutes and keeps your swimwear looking and fitting like new for seasons longer than the “just buy another one” crowd manages.
Rinsing After Every Swim
The most important step happens before you even leave the pool deck or beach. Rinse your swimsuit thoroughly under cool, clean water as soon as possible after getting out. This flushes out chlorine, saltwater, sunscreen, and body oils before they have time to break down the fibers.
A quick rinse under a shower or tap takes 30 seconds and removes the majority of damaging chemicals. Skipping this step is the single fastest way to shorten a swimsuit’s lifespan, because dried-on chemicals continue degrading the fabric even when the suit is sitting in your bag.
The Right Way to Wash Swimwear
Hand washing is the gold standard for swimsuit care. That said, there are good and bad ways to do it.
- Fill a basin or sink with lukewarm or cool water — never hot water.
- Add a small amount of mild detergent, baby shampoo, or a capful of white vinegar. Do not use regular laundry detergent with brighteners or fabric softeners.
- Submerge the suit and swish it gently with your hands. Do not wring, twist, or scrub the fabric.
- Let it soak for 15 to 30 minutes if the suit is heavily soiled or smells of chlorine.
- Rinse thoroughly under a faucet while gently squeezing the fabric until the water runs clear.
If you must use a washing machine, turn the suit inside out and place it in a mesh laundry bag. Use the delicate cycle with cool water, low spin, and the smallest amount of mild detergent possible. Never put a swimsuit in a dryer — heat destroys elasticity permanently.
Drying Without Damage
The drying method matters almost as much as the washing. Never wring or twist a wet swimsuit, because the mechanical stress snaps elastic fibers.
- Lay the suit flat on a clean, lint-free, light-colored towel.
- Roll the towel up gently and squeeze to absorb the excess moisture.
- Unroll the suit and lay it flat to dry in a well-ventilated area indoors or in the shade.
Never hang a wet swimsuit by the straps, because the weight of the water stretches them out. Direct sunlight bleaches colors and breaks down fabric elasticity, so keep it out of the sun. A suit dried properly keeps its shape. One left in a damp ball in a gym bag grows bacteria and loses its fit within weeks.
Storing and Rotating Swimsuits
A fully dry swimsuit should be stored flat or loosely folded in a cool, dry drawer or shelf. Never leave it in a damp towel, plastic bag, or beach bag overnight, because trapped moisture feeds mildew and bacteria that eat through fabric.
If you swim regularly — three or more times a week — rotate between at least two swimsuits. Alternating gives the elastic fabric in each suit a full day to recover its shape between wears. Frequent swimmers who rotate suits report their swimwear lasting two years or more, while a single suit worn daily may need replacing within months.
| Care Step | Do This | Avoid This |
|---|---|---|
| Rinsing | Rinse in cool water immediately after each swim | Letting the suit dry without rinsing first |
| Washing | Hand wash with mild detergent, soak 30 min if needed | Hot water, bleach, fabric softener, wringing |
| Machine washing | Inside out, mesh bag, delicate cycle, cool water | Regular cycle, high spin, any heat |
| Drying | Roll in a towel, lay flat in shade | Wringing, hanging by straps, direct sun, dryer |
| Storage | Flat, fully dry, cool place | Damp bags, plastic bags, hot cars |
| Rotation | Alternate suits for frequent swimming | Wearing the same suit every day |
| Detergents | Baby shampoo, mild soap, white vinegar | Fabric softener, bleach, heavy laundry soap |
Material-Specific Care for Longest Life
Not all swimsuits are made from the same fabric, and the care needs shift slightly depending on what your suit is made of.
Polyester swimsuits are the most durable and the most chlorine-resistant. If you swim daily, seek out polyester blends. Soaking polyester suits in water with a tablespoon of baking soda helps neutralize chlorine odors. Nylon swimsuits are softer and more delicate; they benefit from detergents formulated for delicates and a gentler touch during washing. Chlorine-resistant suits still need hand washing after every use — the resistance reduces damage but does not eliminate it.
| Fabric Type | Best Care Tip | Typical Lifespan (With Care) |
|---|---|---|
| Polyester | Soak with baking soda to remove chlorine odor | 2+ years with rotation |
| Nylon | Delicate-fabric detergent, gentle handling | 1-2 years with rotation |
| Chlorine-resistant | Same hand-wash routine — resistance is not immunity | Similar to polyester |
| Any suit | Rinse and dry fully every time | Months longer than poor care |
If you swim in a hot tub regularly, the heat and chemicals are especially hard on swimwear. Keep one inexpensive suit designated for hot tubs only, because the hot water accelerates elastic breakdown no matter how well you rinse afterward.
Common Mistakes That Ruin Swimsuits
Most swimsuit damage comes from a handful of avoidable habits. The dryer is the worst offender — even a few minutes on low heat can sag out the elastic and ruin the fit. Wringing or twisting a wet suit snaps internal fibers, causing permanent stretching in the areas that matter most. Bleach and fabric softeners weaken the fibers and cause colors to fade unevenly, so neither belongs anywhere near swimwear. Sitting directly on rough concrete pool decks or rocky beaches abrades the fabric and causes pilling, so always use a towel underneath you.
Our picks for the best cheap swimsuits include durable polyester options that hold up well to daily swimming.
Final Swimsuit Care Checklist
- Rinse in cool water within minutes of leaving the water.
- Hand wash with mild soap; machine wash only in a mesh bag on delicate.
- Never wring, twist, or put the suit in a dryer.
- Roll in a towel to dry, then lay flat in the shade.
- Store fully dry in a cool drawer, not in a damp bag.
- Rotate between two suits if you swim multiple times a week.
- Spot-treat sunscreen stains with baking soda before washing.
FAQs
Can I put my swimsuit in the washing machine?
Yes, but only if your machine has a delicate or hand-wash cycle with cool water. Turn the suit inside out and place it in a mesh laundry bag first. Use minimal mild detergent and the lowest spin setting. Never run a swimsuit through a regular cycle — the agitation and spin speed cause stretching and fabric wear.
How often should I wash a swimsuit I wear every day?
Every suit needs to be rinsed after every use, but a full hand wash with soap can happen every third or fourth wear unless the suit has visible sunscreen, sand, or a strong chlorine smell. Daily swimmers benefit most from rotating between two or three suits so each one gets a rest day between full wash-and-dry cycles.
Does salt water damage swimsuits more than chlorine?
They damage suits differently. Salt water crystallizes as it dries, and those sharp crystals cut fibers over time. Chlorine chemically breaks down elastic bands faster than salt does. Both require the same prevention: a thorough rinse in cool water immediately after swimming.
Can I use fabric softener on my swimsuit?
No. Fabric softener coats the fibers with a waxy layer that reduces the stretch and recovery of elastic materials. It also interferes with the fabric’s ability to dry quickly. Swimsuits washed with fabric softener tend to sag and lose shape noticeably faster than those washed with mild soap or baby shampoo.
How do I get sunscreen stains out of my swimsuit?
Treat sunscreen stains before the suit dries. Rub a paste of baking soda and water gently into the stained area, or apply a drop of mild detergent directly to the spot. Let it sit for ten minutes, then hand wash as usual. For stubborn white or yellow stains on light-colored suits, a soak in cool water with white vinegar helps lift them.
References & Sources
- Bali Swim. “How to Make Your Swimsuits Last Longer.” Detailed care guide covering rinsing, washing, drying, and storage.
- The New York Times (Wirecutter). “How to Wash Your Swimsuits.” Independent testing and recommendations for swimwear care.
- Billabong. “How To Wash And Dry Swimsuits.” Manufacturer guidelines for washing and drying bikinis and swimwear.
- Tide Cleaners. “Dos and Don’ts of Swimwear Care.” Professional cleaning advice including hot tub warnings and stain treatment.
Mo Maruf
I created WellFizz to bridge the gap between vague wellness advice and actionable solutions. My mission is simple: to decode the research and give you practical tools you can actually use.
Beyond the data, I am a passionate traveler. I believe that stepping away from the screen to explore new environments is essential for mental clarity and physical vitality.