How to Get Sand Out of a Swimsuit
Sand, sea, and sun… it’s a magical combo. Many of us spend our long, cold winters daydreaming about these three ingredients.
And it’s true: Very few things can beat a beach day. Whether you play sports, like to lounge and read books, or are passionate about spending time in the water, most of us love to make the most of any time on the beach.
But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t pesky things to annoy you. Sand getting everywhere (and we mean everywhere) has to be high on that list. But never fear; we’re here to help. Here's how to deal with sand in your bathing suit:
1. Shake off Your Bathing Suit When You Remove It to Get Rid of Stuck Sand
If you change on the beach, give your wet swimsuit a good shake right there and then. If it’s damp, the sand will probably cling to it more, but if you’ve dried off a little, you should be able to shake a good deal of it off. We find a snappy flicking motion works best.
Turn the bathing suit inside-out and repeat the shaking motion to release as much sand as possible. Then just leave it where it belongs… on the beach.
2. Rinse, Rinse, Rinse (With Cold Water)
When you get back to your home or hotel room, run that bathing suit immediately under cold running water. Don’t leave it soaking in a full sink as this will only keep it in contact with the sand. You want the sand to wash away, so a thorough rinse under running water will wash it off and down the drain.
Work systematically over the surface of the bathing suit with running cold water. Pay attention to areas where sand might be trapped - along seams, straps, and the gusset of your bathing suit. Repeat the rinsing on both the inside and outside of your bathing suit.
Repeat until the water is running clear and you feel like you have washed away all the sand. There’s no need for soap or detergent (it won’t help break down the sand), but rinsing with cold water will also have the benefit of cleaning your suit of any salt, spills, or residues from sunscreens, etc.
3. Let the Swimsuit Air Dry By Laying Flat
Once you feel like the bathing suit is really free from all the sand particles, allow it to air dry by gently squeezing out excess water and then laying it flat (ideally on a clean, dry towel.) Swimsuits are usually made from quick-drying materials or blends like polyester or nylon, so they shouldn’t take too long to dry. But do allow them to dry completely.
4. Once Dry, Shake it Out Again Until It's Sand Free
When the swimsuit is completely dry, give it another good shake. You might notice a few remaining particles of excess sand come loose by shaking the suit gently. Again, turn it inside out and really shake out the gusset area and any seams where sand might be trapped. If you feel like there’s still a fair bit of sand, go back to Step 2 and rinse it again with slightly warm or cold water. If you have a white bathing suit, it will be much easier to see the sand particles.
5. Sand Stuck? Use a Blow Dryer (on a Cool Setting)
You can also use a hairdryer to blow away any stubborn particles of fine sand trapped in the seams or folds of the swimsuit. Make sure you use the blow dryer on a cool setting so you don’t break the fabric of the swimsuit (high heat can damage elastic.)
We recommend doing this over a sink or tub so you can easily wash the remaining sand away without getting it on your floors. This step can be especially great if you’re in a pinch and don’t have time to go back to rinsing with cool water to remove sand.
Other Pro-Tips to Protect Your Bathing Suit from Sand
We don’t want to impede your fun on the beach, and sand is pretty unavoidable no matter what you do. But there are some things you can do to avoid getting too much pesky sand in your bathing suits in the first place.
Think About How to Avoid It Before it Happens
Digging a massive hole in the sand, burying yourself in sand…Joey from Friends would be proud of any of these moves. But they are also a sure-fire way to get sand in ALL kinds of places.
Now, we don’t want to be the fun police, but if your goal is to stay as sand-free as possible, you might think twice before handing somebody a sand shovel and telling them to bury you.
Use a Beach Towel
So simple… beach towels have a lower pile than regular towels, so sand can be shaken off more easily. Lying on a beach towel rather directly on the sand keeps you cool and protects your delicate skin from direct contact with hot, abrasive sand.
Use Beach Showers, if Available
Some beaches have showers to help you rinse off. This helps keep you and your bathing suit free of sand and salt crystals that can occur when sea water evaporates. Rinsing regularly throughout a beach day will minimize the amount of sand accumulating on your swimsuit.
If you do rinse off, make sure to immediately reapply sunscreen (as you should throughout the day regardless.)
Why Sand in Bathing Suits Can Be Problematic
You might be wondering what the big deal is. It can feel nice to let the sand run through your hands or to wiggle your toes into it. Why do you need to be so ruthless about removing every trace of remaining sand from your swimsuit?
Well, sand is a tough, gritty substance. It doesn’t dissolve in water, so it will not simply dissolve in the shower or the laundry like other dirt or grime. And it can be rough against delicate skin. This is why you’ll want to get rid of it as soon as possible.
Discomfort
It might feel nice to run your hands over sand, but it is not as nice to have sand stuck to your feet rubbing against your shoes or socks. Or on the inside of your swimsuit (worst of all, in the gusset of your suit.) Trust us: That will not be a comfortable feeling, and you’ll want to get rid of it asap.
Chafing
If you don’t get rid of all the excess sand, it can rub back and forth across your skin as you move. This can cause tiny tears in the skin that will make it red, hot, and swollen. We call this chafing. Chafing can also happen when your skin rubs against itself or when clothing rubs against the skin. Basically, the constant friction is going to cause irritation.
Sand chafing will be exacerbated by heat and salt/sweat (two things that are almost always present when you’re on the beach.) If you don’t remove the source of friction, those tiny wounds can expand, and you might see some tears and inflammation. Your skin can start to look truly “angry.” Red, swollen, rashy and broken. The texture might be bumpy, and later it might feel dry and rough to touch.
Later that day, the skin may feel burnt, hot to the touch, and sensitive to soap and water. It can make falling asleep difficult as it can be hard to find a position where the skin can cool down and relax. Because we tend to move a lot, it can be challenging to give the skin an opportunity to heal.
Skin Irritation/Infection
Apart from chafing, if you have sensitive skin, sand can really irritate it. And if you have any open wounds, sand can get in there and slow down or prevent healing. Rinsing sand away from the skin is key to staying healthy and comfortable.
Think of it this way: You wouldn’t walk around all day with an exfoliator on, would you?!
Swimsuit Wear and Tear
It’s not just your skin that sand can harm. While swimsuits are made from exceptionally durable materials, they are also put through a lot. Direct sunlight, UV exposure, salt water, chlorine, and sand can all take a toll on your swimsuit.
Sand, in particular, can be abrasive and cause little tears in the fabric of your swimsuit that will shorten its lifespan. If you’ve invested in a swimsuit you really love, you’ll want to take good care of it to prolong its lifespan. Consider rinsing sand away as part of that essential care!
A Little Effort Goes a Long Way
Sand can feel a bit like glitter—it gets everywhere. But with a little patience it’s really not a big deal to rinse it away. There’s no way to enjoy the beach and also prevent sand from getting into your things, so try to relax and go with the flow. 10 minutes of rinsing will usually take care of the worst of it, and then you can carry on with your day.
If you’re going for a prolonged vacation or taking a number of beach days in a row, consider bringing a few swimsuits so you can alternate and leave one to fully dry out before wearing it again. This will ensure you’re not reaching for a still-damp, sandy swimsuit when you want to go for another dip.
Written by Jane Flanagan — Updated on March 5, 2023.
We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.