How to Wash a Swimsuit the Right Way—and Keep It Looking Like New

Whether you wear it almost every day during summer or only break it out once a season, knowing how to properly wash and care for your swimsuit will ensure it lasts for years to come. The garment can fade after coming in contact with chlorine and can accumulate stains from sunscreen and sweat if not tended to properly. Luckily, cleaning your swimsuit is an easy laundry task and can be done by hand or in the washing machine.

How Often to Wash a Swimsuit

Swimsuits should be washed after every wear, whether or not you go in the water. "A close-fitting swimsuit worn to lounge by the pool on a hot day can pick up stains from sunscreen and bodily fluids like sweat," says Mary Gagliardi, in-house scientist and cleaning expert for Clorox.

With that being said, you don't have to deep clean your bathing suit every time you wear it. "If you are swimming in a pool with a natural filtration system with minimal chlorine, you would be fine with a simple rinse while you shower off," says Melissa Poepping, founder of The Chemical Free Home. "If you are swimming in a pool with heavy chlorine use, or one that uses salt water, you will want to launder your suit at your next convenience as the chlorine, or salt, can be harsh on nylon fabrics and break down elastics."

How to Wash a Swimsuit by Hand

Washing your swimsuit by hand is ideal, as it's gentler on the fabric. The best way to do so is by using a tiny bit of gentle soap or a special wash just for swimwear, says Patric Richardson of The Laundry Evangelist.

1. Fill the sink or a wash basin with tepid water.
2. Add a few drops of soap to the water.
3. Place your swimsuit in the water and swish it around.
4. Let the swimsuit soak for 10 minutes.
5. Rinse very thoroughly with cool water, making sure no soap residue is left behind. Don't wring or twist the swimsuit.
6. Roll the suit in a cotton towel and squeeze out excess moisture.
7. Reshape the swimsuit and lay flat to dry on a clean, dry towel.
   

How to Machine Wash a Swimsuit

It is safe to launder your swimsuit in the washer, but you should treat it like you would any delicate undergarment. "When cleaning a swimsuit in a washing machine, be sure to use gentle and cold cycles to help maintain the fabric's elasticity over time," says Morgan LaLonde, laundry brand manager for Whirlpool. "You should always use cold water. Hot water can fade colors and damage the swimsuit’s elasticity."

1. Fasten any hooks or closures, then place the swimsuit in a mesh bag.
2. Place the bag in the washer with gentle soap or a special wash just for swimwear.
3. Select the gentle cycle and the coldest water temperature setting.
4. Reshape the swimsuit and lay flat to dry on a clean, dry towel.
   

How to Treat Stains on a Swimsuit

Most swimsuit stains can be addressed by pre-treating the stain with a mild soap and scrubbing it out with a horsehair brush before washing, says Richardson. On the other hand, if you are removing a stain from a fatty base oil, vinegar is a better cleaning agent. Apply distilled white vinegar to a soft cloth then dab the stain lightly. "Place a clean soft cloth beneath the stain so that you don't transfer the stain or oil deposit to the other side of the garment," says Poepping. Then wash accordingly.

How to Care for a Swimsuit

Follow these tips to maintain your swimsuit's quality.

• Never place your swimsuit in the dryer, as doing so can degrade its elasticity.
• Always lay your swimsuit flat to dry instead of hang drying it, which can stretch out the fabric.
• If you're unable to give your swimsuit a full wash after wearing it in chlorine, immediately rinse it off thoroughly in cold water.
• If machine washing, always put your swimsuit in a mesh bag and wash with cold water.
• Make sure your swimsuit is completely dry before storing it.
• Prevent pilling by limiting friction of your bathing suit's material. This can be done by washing your swimsuits in separate mesh bags, hand washing your swimsuit over machine washing, and avoiding sitting on the edge of the pool.