Style Clothing Care How to Wash Swimsuits So They Look Good All Summer Plus, how to wash swimsuits in the washing machine. By Allison Chesky Allison Chesky Allison served as an associate fashion editor at Real Simple for five years. She is now the marketing director of Resy, the American Express Global Dining Network. Highlights: Accessories assistant at InStyle Rose from fashion assistant to associate fashion editor at Real Simple Editorial director at Tiger Beat Promoted from managing editor to marketing director at Resy Network Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Mary Marlowe Leverette Mary Marlowe Leverette Mary Marlowe Leverette has over four decades of experience and has been writing and consulting for more than 20 years sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, stain removal methods, and textile conservation. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 09, 2023 In This Article View All In This Article How Often to Wash a Swimsuit How to Wash a Swimsuit by Hand How to Wash a Swimsuit in the Washing Machine Tips for Caring for Your Swimsuit (and Keeping it in Great Shape) Project Overview Working Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Skill Level: Beginner Finding just the right swimsuit is one of life's perfect moments, whether you are a competitive swimmer or just want to relax by the pool. Now that you've found it, how you wash your swimsuit will make a huge difference in how well it holds its shape and retains its color. Swimsuit fabrics face lots of wear and tear from pool chemicals, sunscreen, salt, sweat, and sand, but if you learn how to wash swimsuits the right way, you can keep your bathing suit looking great throughout the season. Pepifoto/Getty Images The 25 Best Places to Buy Swimsuits of 2024 What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Soft Bristled Brush Clean Towel Mesh Laundry Bag Materials Gentle Detergent White Vinegar (Optional) Instructions How Often to Wash a Swimsuit Make sure to wash your swimsuit after each and every wear—even if you don't go in the water. "Sunscreens contain ingredients that can be damaging to the fabric and can lead to the eventual breakdown of the material," says Marysia Reeves, designer of Marysia Swim. To top it off, some SPFs are more detrimental than others, warns Lindsey J. Boyd, co-founder of the all-natural detergent line, The Laundress. Mineral-based lotions and oil formulations can cause yellowing or gradual stains over time if swimsuits are not washed properly. The best thing you can do for your swimsuit is to rinse it out in cool water as soon as you take it off. Even better, fill a sink with cool water and let the suit soak for about 30 minutes to remove most chemicals and body soil that can damage the fabric. Get a head start by filling a leak-proof plastic bag or small container with clean water and add your swimsuit to soak on the trip home from the pool or beach. How to Wash a Swimsuit by Hand Washing a swimsuit by hand is best because hand-washing is gentler and helps prevent stretching. Create some soapy water. Fill a sink with lukewarm water and add a gentle detergent formulated for activewear like Hex Performance Laundry Detergent. One teaspoon of any detergent is enough to clean a single swimsuit. In a pinch, Boyd also swears by adding a splash of white vinegar, known for its deodorizing and antibacterial properties, in lieu of detergent. Turn the swimsuit inside out. Scrubbing from the inside helps keep the exterior fabric looking newer longer, and addresses the areas most likely to have come in contact with sweat and sunscreen. Use a soft brush to scrub away stains. A dab of the laundry detergent on a soft-bristled nylon brush (an old toothbrush works great) can be used to gently scrub necklines and areas that may have sunscreen stains. Swish and squeeze your suit. Swish the suit through the sudsy water while you gently squeeze the fabric for several minutes, then empty out the sink. Give your swimsuit a good rinse. Refill the sink with cool, clean water to rinse the swimsuit. Gently squeeze out the water—no wringing! Dry your suit. Roll the swimsuit in a terrycloth towel to absorb excess water or simply hang it to air-dry in a spot with good air circulation, away from direct sunlight, which can cause colors to fade. Add a circulating fan to speed drying. Skip the dryer because high temperatures can permanently damage the fabric. How to Wash a Swimsuit in the Washing Machine Using your washing machine can be an easy way to wash your swimsuit. Just be gentle to help ensure your suit lasts longer than your tube of sunscreen. Wash it with similar materials. Don't toss it in with your beach towel—that's a recipe for swimsuit damage. Wash the swimsuit with similar types of synthetic fabrics. Protect your swimsuit. Turn the swimsuit inside out, and place it in a mesh laundry bag to help prevent snags and stretching. Pretreat stains. Apply gentle detergent to areas prone to sunscreen stains. Be gentle with your suit. Set your washing machine to the gentle cycle and use cold water and gentle detergent on it. Hang it dry. The dryer will damage your suit's fibers, so take it out of the wash and hang it to dry. Tips for Caring for Your Swimsuit (and Keeping it in Great Shape) Don't soak a swimsuit overnight. This can loosen fibers. Don't let a swimsuit dry directly in the sun. This may cause fading. Don't put a swimsuit in the dryer. The heat weakens the elasticity of the spandex. This is the same reason why you shouldn't wear your favorite bikini in a hot tub. Don't hang a swimsuit on a metal rod to dry. Hanging can alter the shape of the garment, while the metal rod could leave a rust mark that's impossible to get out. Don't sit on rough surfaces while wearing a swimsuit. The concrete beside the pool or wood from the lounge chairs may snag the swimsuit material. Always lay down a towel before you sit.