Hot water and chlorine are hard on swim suits. Swimsuits aren’t cheap and a perfect one is hard to find. So when you find the perfect one you’ll want to wear for years, take steps to make it last longer than one season.
Avoid the things you might be doing to your bathing suit that could actually shorten its lifespan.
According to ConsumerSearch.com, damage happens largely because suits are made of Spandex or other stretchy fabrics — materials that can react badly to hot tub chemicals or the heat of the sun. The fabric that makes them cling just right to your body makes them vulnerable to heat and harsh chemcials.
To keep your suit looking good for years to come, care for it using these eight tips from laundry pros:
Rinse ASAP
About.com Laundry Guide Mary Marlowe Leverette points out suits need a rinse even after sunbathing. Sunblock and the body’s oils can do damage. Rinse immediately after being in a hot tub or pool that uses chlorine.
Hand Wash
All the experts we found recommended hand washing. One pro told Allure magazine, the issue with washing machines is that they agitate all the delicate parts (like the cups, padding, ties, etc.). All this movement can damage a delicate suit, leaving things bunched, stretched, or otherwise ill-fitting.
Soap Up
The retail website SwimsuitsForAll.com recommends washing a suit with a mild hand soap, while Allure suggests a detergent meant for delicates. Either way, a standard laundry detergent is too harsh. Make sure you rinse all soapy suds out. And, I mean rinse. You don’t want to see mounds of foam the next time you hot tub.
Dry Off
Resist the urge to wring out every last drop of water. Doing so can damage the fibers, says SwimsuitsForAll.com, leaving your suit sagging in all the wrong places. Hanging a swimsuit (especially by the ties) can stretch it out, too. Instead, lay the suit out on a towel, roll the towel up and squeeze gently, then lay your swimsuit out to dry. Avoid drying it in sunshine, which can fade the color, says Leverette. Always dry the suit out completely before putting it away.
Rotate Suits
According to Real Simple, Spandex is a “memory fabric,” meaning it needs a full day to snap back to its usual position. If you’re on vacation or wearing bathing suits often, it’s essential to have more than one, so that each suit has 24 hours to bounce back (not to mention time to wash and dry it completely).
Keep Cool
Hot water is bad for swimwear. Never wash your bathing suit in hot water, and avoid too many dips in the hot tub with a favorite suit. Hot tub daily? Allure recommends reserving one suit just for the hot tub — and make it your cheapest suit!
Prep A New Suit
Swimsuit designer Vix Swimwear recommends prepping a brand new suit before taking it to the beach or a dip in the hot tub. A 30-minute soak in a vinegar and water mixture (one tablespoon white vinegar per quart of water) should prevent dye from bleeding. Especially important if you’re wearing a new suit in a hot tub.
Sit On A Towel
Whenever you’re sitting on the ground next to the hot tub or pool, on a wooden bench, or on any other rough surface, try to sit on a towel, suggests the blog Life With Three. Those impromptu seats can snag and tear the material. If carrying a towel 24/7 seems too high maintenance, simply wrap-up in a sarong when you leave your lounge chair — you’ll never even have to think about where you’re sitting (though the sarong will take the brunt of the blow, so make sure you won’t mind snagging it).
Of course, while hot tubbing, there’s always the no suit option!
Sanum Per Aqua Latin for Health through Water.
More:
Hot Tubs & Fashion Week: Swimsuits and Hot Tub Soaking 7 Tips for Style
Hot Tub Fashion Week: Footwear for the Walk to The Hot Tub
Hot Tub Fashion Week: Everything You Need To Have to Be Fashionable While Hot Tubbing
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