How do you care for swimwear so it lasts?
Rinse your swimsuit in cool fresh water as soon as you can after every swim, then wash it gently by hand with a mild detergent the same day. Press the water out in a towel instead of wringing it, and dry it flat in the shade. Never put swimwear in the dryer, and keep your best suits out of hot tubs.
Chlorine, heat, sunscreen, salt and sun all break down the stretch fibers that give a swimsuit its shape. You cannot avoid them, but you can limit how long they sit in the fabric. Most of swimwear care is simply getting them out quickly.
Done consistently, this routine keeps color, shape and support for far longer, and it matters most for underwire and bra-sized tops, where a stretched band means less support.
A swimsuit lives a harder life than almost anything else you own. It is soaked in chlorine or salt water, coated in sunscreen, baked in the sun and dragged across pool edges, often all in one afternoon.
Here is what actually damages swimwear, the simple routine that protects it, how to deal with pools, the ocean, hot tubs and sunscreen, how to dry and store it, and how to tell when a suit is finished.
- Rinse in cool fresh water after every swim, as soon as you can.
- Hand-wash with mild detergent the same day, especially after chlorine.
- Press, do not wring, and dry flat in the shade.
- Never use the dryer, and avoid hot tubs in your best suit.
- Rotate two suits so the elastic can recover between wears.
What Actually Damages Swimwear
Most swimsuits fail because the stretch fiber gives out, not the fabric.
Most swimwear is made from nylon or polyester blended with elastane, also called spandex or LYCRA. The elastane provides the stretch and recovery that hold a suit against your body. It is also the most fragile part of the fabric, and almost everything a swimsuit meets attacks it.
Fabric makes a difference. Polyester and fabrics made specifically to resist chlorine generally hold up longer in the pool than standard nylon and elastane blends, so if you swim laps, check the fabric details before you buy. Even the toughest fabric lasts longer with good care.
The Routine After Every Swim
Four steps, a few minutes, every time.
At the very least, rinse the suit in fresh water and keep it out of a sealed plastic bag. A wet swimsuit left balled up in a bag for hours is one of the quickest ways to damage it.
Pool, Ocean, Lake and Hot Tub
Different water needs slightly different care.
| Where you swim | Main risk | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Chlorinated pool | Chlorine weakens elastane | Rinse right away, wash the same day |
| Ocean | Salt and sand | Rinse out salt and shake out sand |
| Lake or river | Silt and odors | Rinse and wash the same day |
| Hot tub | Heat plus chemicals | Wear an older suit you do not mind fading |
| Saltwater pool | Salt and some chlorine | Treat like a chlorinated pool |
Two habits help in any water. Wet your suit with clean water in the shower before you swim; fabric that is already damp absorbs less pool water. And sit on a towel rather than directly on pool edges, decks or rocks, which pill the fabric quickly.
Sunscreen, Oils and Stains
Protect your skin first, then protect the suit.
Apply sunscreen before you put your swimsuit on and give it time to soak in, so less of it transfers onto the fabric. Wash your suit after every day of wear in sunscreen, because lotions and oils left in the fabric weaken the elastane.
Some sunscreen ingredients can leave yellow or orange marks, especially on white and light colors. Treat marks as soon as you see them: rinse in cool water, then work a little mild detergent into the area and rinse again. Avoid chlorine bleach, which damages swimwear fabric, and avoid hot water, which can set the stain.
Self-tanner and tanning oils can stain light swimwear permanently. Let self-tanner develop fully before wearing a light suit, and keep oils for darker suits you do not mind marking.
Can You Machine Wash Swimwear?
Hand-washing is best, but a careful machine wash will not ruin a suit.
If you must use a machine, put the suit in a mesh laundry bag, choose a cold, gentle cycle and use a small amount of mild detergent. Skip fabric softener, which coats the fibers, and never wash swimwear with jeans, towels or anything with zips that can snag it. Keep underwire and molded-cup tops out of the machine altogether.
Whatever you do, keep swimwear out of the dryer. Dryer heat is one of the fastest ways to destroy elastane, and repeated cycles leave a suit noticeably looser.
How to Dry Swimwear
Flat, in the shade, and away from heat.
Caring for Special Styles
Some swimwear needs a little extra attention.
| Style | Extra care | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Underwire and molded tops | Hand-wash, dry cups up | Wringing and the machine |
| Sheer and mesh | Wash in a mesh bag or by hand | Snags on rough surfaces |
| Crochet and knit | Reshape flat while damp | Hanging, which stretches it |
| Embellished or metallic | Hand-wash, gently | Scrubbing the trims |
| White and light colors | Rinse sunscreen out quickly | Self-tanner and bleach |
| Swim skirts and dresses | Dry flat, then shake out | Hanging when heavy with water |
Our style guides have more on specific pieces: see sheer bikinis, swim dresses and one-piece swimsuits for care notes on each.
Storing Swimwear
Between trips and between seasons.
Make sure every suit is completely dry before you put it away. Store swimwear flat or loosely folded in a drawer or a breathable fabric bag, never in a sealed plastic bag where moisture can be trapped. Keep underwire and molded-cup tops with the cups nested, the same way you would store bras, so they keep their shape; our guide on how to store and pack bras explains the method.
For travel, pack a small zip bag or wet bag for the trip home, but take wet suits out and rinse them as soon as you arrive. At the end of the season, wash everything one last time, dry it fully and store it somewhere cool and dark.
When to Replace a Swimsuit
Even well-cared-for swimwear has a working life.
How long a swimsuit lasts depends on how often you wear it, where you swim and how you care for it. A suit worn for daily laps in a chlorinated pool will wear out far sooner than one worn on a few beach vacations. Rotating two suits helps either way, because elastane recovers better when it has a day to rest.
Swimwear Built to Last
Look for double lining, supportive fabric and pieces you can replace separately.
Buying tops and bottoms separately also helps a suit last: when one half wears out first, you can replace just that piece. Browse bikini tops, bikini bottoms, tankinis and plus size swimwear.
What This Means for You
Rinse your swimsuit in cool fresh water after every swim, hand-wash it with mild detergent the same day, press the water out in a towel and dry it flat in the shade. Keep it out of the dryer, away from radiators and out of hot tubs if you love it.
Put sunscreen on before your suit, treat marks quickly, sit on a towel, store suits dry and flat, and rotate two suits so each one rests. Replace a suit when it bags, sags or turns see-through when wet.
Find the Right Swimsuit
Styles, fit and support for every body.
Types of SwimsuitsPlus Size SwimBra-Sized SwimFrequently Asked Questions
Should you rinse a swimsuit after every use?
Can you put a swimsuit in the washing machine?
Can you put a swimsuit in the dryer?
Does chlorine ruin swimsuits?
How do you get sunscreen stains out of a swimsuit?
How long should a swimsuit last?
This guide is for general care information. Always follow the care label on your swimwear, as fabrics and constructions vary between brands.
