How to Wash a Swimsuit Without Wrecking It
The best way to wash a swimsuit is a two-part routine. After every swim, rinse it in cool fresh water, squeeze the water out without wringing, and pack it loose so it can breathe. About once a week, or every 3 to 4 swims, hand wash it in cool water with a mild, swimwear-safe cleanser and air dry it in the shade. No washing machine, no dryer, no bleach, no fabric softener. The rinse takes under a minute, and it is the step that does the most to keep a swimsuit looking new.
The 60-second post-swim routine
This is the part you do at the pool, every time. It works for lap suits, bikinis, one-pieces, jammers and swim trunks.
- Rinse (20 to 30 seconds). Hold the suit under the pool shower in cool fresh water. Rinse the outside, then flip it inside out and rinse again.
- Squeeze (10 seconds). Press the water out with your hands or roll it in your towel. If your pool has a suit dryer (the spinner by the showers), use it. Do not wring or twist.
- Spray (about 30 seconds). Give the suit about 4 sprays of a swimwear spray and let it sit for about 30 seconds.
- Bag it loose. Mesh pocket or separate bag. Not sealed plastic, not balled up in a wet towel.
At home, take it out of the bag right away and hang it to dry.
The weekly hand wash
What you need
- A clean sink or basin
- Cool water
- A small amount of mild, swimwear-safe cleanser
- A clean towel
How to hand wash a swimsuit
- Fill the sink with cool water and add the cleanser.
- Turn the suit inside out and swish it gently for a minute or two.
- Soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Rinse in cool clean water until no suds are left.
- Press, do not wring. Roll it in a towel to pull out the water.
- Air dry flat or on a plastic hanger, in the shade.
How to wash a swimsuit by type
| Suit | Tip |
|---|---|
| Competition and lap suits | Rinse after every practice. Rotate two suits if you swim most days |
| Bikinis with padding or underwire | Hand wash only. Dry flat so cups keep their shape |
| Swim trunks and board shorts | Empty pockets, rinse out sand, loosen the drawstring before washing |
| White or light suits | Rinse right away. Sunscreen and pool water can leave yellow marks if they sit |
Five swimsuit washing mistakes
- Machine washing every time. Agitation and spin wear out stretch fabric. Here is why the washing machine is the wrong place for a swimsuit.
- Using the dryer. Heat is the fastest way to ruin a suit.
- Wringing it out. Twisting stretches fibers. Squeeze or roll in a towel.
- Drying in direct sun. UV fades color and weakens fabric.
- Leaving it in the bag. A wet suit that sits closed up for hours is where pool smell and sour odors build up.
Where the spray fits in
The spray in the pool routine is TRIHARD's Fresh & Clean Swimwear Spray. Rinse, squeeze or use the suit dryer, about 4 sprays, about 30 seconds, then into the bag. It leaves the suit smelling fresh instead of like the pool, so it is ready for your next swim. It is the every-swim step, the weekly hand wash is the deep clean, and you need both. Add it to your swim bag.
Want the whole post-swim routine in one go? The Post-Swim Reset Kit pairs the spray with our Chlorine Removal Shampoo and Body Wash. The Head-to-Suit Kit adds the Chlorine Protection Conditioner: hair, skin and suit, sorted after every swim.
Wash the swimmer, not just the suit
Chlorine that soaks into your suit also soaks into hair and skin. A Chlorine Removal Shampoo and Chlorine Removal Body Wash in the post-swim shower take care of that. For the full head-to-toe version, see the complete pre and post swim routine.
Not sure if, or what you actually need?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to wash a swimsuit?
Rinse it in cool fresh water after every swim, squeeze it gently, and hand wash it in cool water with a mild, swimwear-safe cleanser about once a week. Air dry it in the shade. Avoid the washing machine, the dryer, bleach and fabric softener.
How often should you wash a swimsuit?
Rinse after every swim. Hand wash every 3 to 4 swims or once a week, and the same day after the ocean or a hot tub.
Can I wash my swimsuit with shampoo or body wash?
A small amount of a mild, gentle wash works in a pinch. Avoid harsh, heavily fragranced or clarifying formulas, and rinse the suit very well afterward.
How do you dry a swimsuit fast?
Roll it in a dry towel and press to pull out most of the water, then hang it somewhere with good airflow. A pool suit dryer helps too. Never use a clothes dryer or a radiator.
How do you wash a swimsuit when traveling?
Rinse it in the shower or sink right after swimming, squeeze it in a towel and hang it in the bathroom. A swimwear spray helps keep it fresh between proper washes when you are on the move.
