Stop Throwing Your Swimsuit in the Washing Machine
You can wash a swimsuit in the washing machine, but you should not make it a habit. The agitation, the spin cycle and any heat all stretch and weaken the spandex that gives a swimsuit its fit. Hooks, zippers and other clothes snag the fabric, and regular detergent and fabric softener are harsher than swimwear needs. Hand washing in cool water takes about 10 minutes and is far easier on the suit. If you do use the machine, use a mesh bag, cold water, the gentlest cycle, a mild detergent, and never the dryer.
Why the washing machine is hard on swimsuits
Agitation and spin stretch the fabric
A washer tumbles, twists and spins. Your everyday clothes can take it. Swimwear is built from thin, stretchy fabric that is designed to hug the body. Every cycle pulls on the spandex fibers, and stretch fibers that are already worn by chlorine lose their recovery faster.
Other clothes snag it
Jeans, zippers, bra hooks and Velcro are rough neighbors. They pull threads, pill the surface and can leave small holes in thin swim fabric.
Detergent and softener are too much
Regular laundry detergent is made to remove heavy soil from cotton and denim. Many formulas are harsher than swimwear needs, and bleach or optical brighteners can fade colors. Fabric softener coats fibers, which can trap residue and odor in the suit.
The dryer finishes the job
Heat is the fastest way to ruin a swimsuit. A few rounds in a hot dryer can leave a suit permanently saggy or rippled. Never machine dry swimwear.
Can you wash bathing suits with regular clothes?
It is better not to. If you must, put the suit in a zippered mesh laundry bag, wash on cold with the delicate or hand wash cycle, use a small amount of mild detergent, skip the softener, and keep heavy items and anything with zippers out of that load. Then hang it to dry.
How to hand wash a swimsuit in 10 minutes
- Fill a sink with cool water and a small amount of mild, swimwear-safe cleanser.
- Turn the suit inside out and swish it gently for a minute or two.
- Let it soak for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Rinse in cool clean water until no suds are left.
- Press the water out by squeezing or rolling the suit in a towel. Do not wring.
- Dry it flat or on a hanger in the shade, away from heat.
Do this every 3 to 4 swims, or about once a week. In between, a fresh-water rinse after every swim does most of the work. Our full guide on how to wash a swimsuit has the complete routine.
Why people throw swimsuits in the washer anyway
Because the suit smells. Most swimmers do not reach for the washing machine because the suit looks dirty. They reach for it because the suit smells like the pool, or worse, after a night in the swim bag. The machine feels like the only way to get the smell out. But the smell usually comes from how long the suit sat wet, not from a lack of machine washing.
A better fix for the smell
If odor is what sends your suit to the washer, fix it at the pool instead. TRIHARD's Fresh & Clean Swimwear Spray is made to neutralize pool and chlorine odor right after you swim. Rinse the suit, squeeze it or use the pool's suit dryer, give it a few mists and pack it. Fewer smelly suits means fewer trips through the machine. The weekly hand wash stays: the spray covers the swims in between. Fewer machine washes start at the pool.
Not sure if, or what you actually need?
Tell us how chlorine shows up in your life and we'll point you to the right fit.
Not sure you're actually affected?
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.
Take care of the swimmer, too
Your suit is not the only thing that comes out of the pool covered in chlorine. For hair and skin, see our complete pre and post swim routine. For goggles, caps and the rest of your kit, see how to clean your swim gear after a chlorine swim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you wash a swimsuit in the washing machine?
You can, but it shortens the life of the suit. If you do, use a mesh bag, cold water, the delicate cycle, a mild detergent and no softener, and always air dry it. Hand washing is the better habit.
Can you put a swimsuit in the dryer?
No. Dryer heat breaks down spandex quickly and can leave a suit saggy or rippled. Always air dry swimwear in the shade.
What detergent should I use for swimsuits?
A mild, gentle detergent or a cleanser made for swimwear. Avoid bleach, heavy-duty detergents and fabric softener.
How do you wash swim trunks?
The same way as any swimsuit. Rinse after every swim, hand wash in cool water with a mild cleanser about once a week, and hang them to dry. Empty the pockets and tie the drawstring loosely before washing.
Is it OK to only rinse my swimsuit and never wash it?
A rinse after every swim is essential, but it does not remove everything. Sweat, oils and sunscreen build up, so give the suit a proper hand wash every 3 to 4 swims or once a week.
