Exposure to sunlight and heat, salt in the ocean, and chlorine from the pool can all affect your swimsuit, so what's the best way to take care of your swimwear? Of course, you can refer to the care instructions on your bathing suit when deciding how to go about washing it — but experts say there are other tips and tricks you can use to take good care of your swimwear.
We've compiled a list of some tips, along with some products that can help you wash your swimsuits.
More from LittleThings: Your Favorite Bathing Suit Style Reveals Everything About Your Personality
When should you wash your bathing suits?
The best time to wash your swimsuit is right after you wear it, each time you wear it, according to experts. Textile expert Preeti Arya told The New York Times that you should rinse your bathing suit before and after swimming because it helps get rid of the chemicals or salt your bathing suit may have been exposed to.
Though rinsing helps, it's not enough, Arya told the outlet. That's why it's important to wash your bathing suit after each time you wear it.
What if you don't have time to wash it right away?
You can also soak your bathing suit for about 30 minutes after wearing it, according to The Spruce. If you don't have time to let your bathing suit soak for 30 minutes, you can save time by rinsing your swimsuit in the shower, advises Arm & Hammer.
More from LittleThings: Historic Tonya Harding Costume From Infamous Nancy Kerrigan Scandal Is Now Up For Auction
Can you wash it in the washing machine?
When it comes to washing your bathing suit, many experts recommend washing it by hand. Washing by hand is the best option because it can help prevent fabric damage, but if you'd prefer to wash your bathing suit in the machine (and the care instructions say you can do so), choose a delicate cycle and a mild detergent. You can also protect your bathing suit using a mesh laundry bag.
BAGAIL Laundry Bag Mesh Wash Bag for Intimates Lingerie and Delicates
Starting at
$5.99
from
How do you get pesky smells out of your swimsuit?
If you're bothered by the chlorine smell that seems to be stuck in your swimsuit, Arm & Hammer recommends using a scent booster when doing your laundry (by hand or in the machine), though you could also add diluted vinegar or baking soda to help eliminate unwanted odors.
Arm & Hammer Odor Blasters In-Wash Scent Booster
$8.05
from
How do you treat swimsuit stains?
If you've noticed stains on your swimwear, some experts recommend pretreating them. You could use a stain remover, a combination of water and baking soda, or liquid detergent. Since most experts advise against putting your bathing suit in the dryer, you don't have to worry about the heat from your dryer making the stains harder to get out.
Can you use bleach to treat your bathing suit?
Using bleach to wash your swimsuit is generally not the best idea, Mary Gagliardi, Clorox’s in-house scientist and cleaning expert, told Today.com, because most swimsuits are made with spandex. "Spandex is never appropriate for bleach," Mary told the outlet.
Should you wring out excess water after washing?
After washing your bathing suit, it's important to not wring out the excess water. Be gentle to avoid damaging the fabric. Arm & Hammer recommends putting your clean bathing suit on a towel then rolling the towel up to help get rid of the excess moisture.
Can you hang your bathing suit to dry?
Experts recommend laying your swimsuit flat to dry — and keeping it away from direct sunlight as well. Direct exposure to sunlight can cause fading and can also cause the fibers in your bathing suit to break down, notes The Spruce. Hanging your bathing suit to dry might affect its shape and cause it to stretch out.
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, LittleThings.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
