Swimsuit Fabric Care: How to Keep Swimwear Looking New
By All About Eve - Women's Online Fashion | Online Shopping | Published: 2026-10-15
Category: 技巧與保養
Learn how to care for swimwear with a simple rinse-and-dry routine. These swimsuit washing tips help you extend swimsuit life and keep colours vibrant.
Quick answer
Rinse your swimsuit in cool fresh water immediately after every swim, then gently squeeze out excess water and lay it flat to dry in the shade. Avoid hot water, harsh detergents, and direct sunlight. This simple routine removes chlorine, salt, and sunscreen before they break down stretch fibres, and it takes less than two minutes.
Why swimsuit fabric needs different care
Swimwear is engineered to stretch and recover, but pool chlorine, saltwater, sunscreen, and body oils gradually weaken elastane fibres. Unlike cotton or linen, swim fabric holds onto these residues unless you rinse them out promptly. Heat and friction speed up the damage, which is why a hot wash or a spin cycle can leave a suit stretched, faded, or pilled after just a few wears. Treating your swimsuit more like a delicate bra than a gym towel is the single biggest shift that will extend its life.
What you need before you start
You do not need special equipment. A clean sink or basin, cool running water, and a mild liquid detergent (or a dedicated swimwear wash) are enough. Skip fabric softener, bleach, and enzyme-heavy detergents — they leave a coating that traps oils and can degrade stretch fibres. If you are travelling, a small bottle of gentle hand soap works in a pinch, but rinse thoroughly.
How often should you wash swimwear?
Rinse after every wear, and wash with a mild detergent after every two to three wears, or sooner if the suit smells or feels stiff. If you only swam in a clean pool and rinsed well, a full wash can wait. If you wore sunscreen, swam in the ocean, or sat in a hot tub, wash it that day. The goal is to remove residues before they set, not to scrub the fabric aggressively.
Drying without damage
After rinsing or washing, gently squeeze the suit — never wring or twist it. Lay it flat on a clean towel, reshape the cups and straps, and let it air-dry away from direct sun and heat. If you must hang it, use a padded hanger and avoid clipping the straps, which can stretch them out. A swimsuit that stays damp in a bag will develop mildew and odour, so never leave it rolled up wet.
Storing swimwear between wears
Once fully dry, store your swimsuit flat or folded loosely in a drawer. Avoid hanging it by the straps for long periods, as gravity can stretch them. Keep it away from rough surfaces like Velcro or zippers that can snag the fabric. If you rotate between two suits, each one gets more recovery time between wears, which helps the elastane bounce back.
Your 5-step swimsuit care routine
- Rinse immediately after swimming: Fill a sink with cool water and submerge your suit for 30 seconds, gently working the water through the fabric. If you are at the beach, a quick rinse in a shower works. Common mistake: leaving the suit in a plastic bag until you get home — chlorine and salt keep working on the fibres the whole time. Checkpoint: the water should run clear, not cloudy with sunscreen or pool chemicals.
- Wash with a mild detergent every few wears: Add a drop of gentle liquid detergent to cool water and gently squeeze the suds through the suit. Do not scrub or rub fabric against itself. Rinse thoroughly until no suds remain. Common mistake: using regular laundry detergent or fabric softener, which leaves residue that attracts oils and dulls colours. Checkpoint: if the water still feels slippery after rinsing, keep rinsing.
- Squeeze, don't wring: Cup the suit in your hands and press gently to remove excess water. Never twist or wring — that stretches the elastane and can bend underwires. For padded tops, remove the padding first and squeeze it separately. Common mistake: wringing the suit like a towel, which causes misshaping and premature stretch. Checkpoint: the suit should feel damp, not dripping, before you lay it out.
- Dry flat in the shade: Lay the suit flat on a clean, dry towel, reshaping cups, straps, and seams. Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from radiators or hair dryers. Common mistake: hanging the suit by its straps in full sun — UV fades colours and heat weakens fibres, while the straps stretch under the suit's weight. Checkpoint: flip the suit once halfway through drying if the towel feels damp underneath.
- Store only when bone dry: Once the suit is completely dry, fold it loosely and store it flat in a drawer. Do not hang it by the straps long-term. If you are packing it for travel, place it in a breathable pouch, not a sealed plastic bag. Common mistake: putting a slightly damp suit away, which leads to mildew and a musty smell that is hard to remove. Checkpoint: if you can feel any coolness or dampness, give it more drying time.
Product care notes
- Phoenix Rib Underwire One Piece Swimsuit Red: Phoenix Rib Underwire One Piece Swimsuit Red features a concealed underwire for support and a classic fit with square neckline. The underwire and structured cups need gentle handling — never wring or twist the suit, and reshape the cups while damp to help them keep their shape.
- Phoenix Rib Triangle Bikini Top Black: Phoenix Rib Triangle Bikini Top Black has adjustable straps and lined cups with removable padding. Remove the padding before rinsing or washing so it dries fully and does not crease the cup fabric. Rinse the straps gently to avoid stretching the adjusters.
- Arlo Maxi Skirt Light Blue: Arlo Maxi Skirt Light Blue is made from 100% cotton with side pockets and a button-up front. Cotton skirt care is different from swimwear — it can be machine washed, but always check the care label and avoid hot water to prevent shrinking.
