How to care for your swimwear

Care Guide

How to care for your swimwear

Chlorine, salt, sunscreen and sun are hard on swim fabric. A few small habits — especially a quick rinse after every wear — will keep your swimwear in shape long past one summer.

1

Rinse straight after swimming

Rinse in cool fresh water as soon as you can to flush out chlorine, salt and sunscreen.

2

Hand wash gently

Hand wash in cold water with a mild detergent. Don't soak for long periods.

3

Press, don't wring

Press the water out gently — wringing breaks down the elastane that holds the shape.

4

Dry flat in the shade

Lay flat out of direct sun. Heat and sunlight degrade swim fabric quickly.

Do

  • Rinse after every wear
  • Hand wash cold
  • Dry flat in the shade
  • Rotate between swims

Don't

  • Wring or twist
  • Leave it wet and bundled
  • Dry in direct sun
  • Tumble dry or iron

The one habit that matters most

Chlorine, salt, sunscreen and oils break down swim fabric over time. A quick cool rinse after every wear is the single best thing you can do for it.

How do I stop my swimwear stretching out?

Hand wash only, never wring, and dry flat. Heat and wringing are what break down the elastane.

Does sunscreen damage swimwear?

Oils and some SPF ingredients can mark or degrade the fabric, so rinse soon after contact.

Can I machine wash bikinis?

Hand washing is best. If you must machine wash, use a delicate bag on cold and skip the dryer.

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