Let’s Solve the Whole ‘How to Wash Swimsuit’ Dilemma!

Swimsuits are hardworking garments that you’ll want to prolong the lifespan of for as long as possible. Caring for them the right way is key. Plus, nobody wants to say goodbye too soon to their beloved bather. So don't let the wear and tear of time get you down! We can help you keep that suit in great shape. 

But what exactly is the best way to wash a swimsuit? Let’s explore swimwear care!

Why We Should Wash Swimsuits Regularly

It might be easy to default to thinking bathing suits don’t need to be washed regularly. After all, they’re getting wet a lot. You’re either in water or lounging when you’re wearing one—not exactly putting them through any grueling activities.

But think about it! Swimsuits are worn tight to the body with no underwear. That means body oils, sweat, vaginal discharge — it’s all hitting your suit. More than that, the situations you put your bathing suit in can be pretty challenging.

Let’s look at some of the things they’re subjected to:

• Chlorine & other chemicals: If you’re swimming in pools, odds are there are all kinds of chemicals soaking into your swimsuit. These can cause deterioration, color loss, and even smells unless they’re washed away.
• Saltwater or lake water: Swimming in the great outdoors! What could be better?! But don’t forget that salt water and lake water have their own little nasties too. Salt itself can really erode fabrics. And then there are germs that can breed bacteria if left unchecked.
• Lotions & oils: If you’re protecting yourself against the sun (and you should!), you’ll probably get some pretty strong residue from sunblock on your bathing suit. As well, your skin has its own oils, and any other products (deodorant, body lotion, perfume) will all rub off on your swimsuit. Again, these residues can cause the material to break down over time.
• Sand: Sand is a great exfoliator for the skin. But if you’re in the sand, it’s creating lots of friction on the fabric of your suit. This can lead to tiny micro-tears not visible to the eye, which results in the swimsuit losing its elasticity and shape. (Related: How to get sand out of a swimsuit)
  
  Suffice to say; you want to get all that stuff off your swimsuit as soon as possible.

Rinse Your Swimsuit As Soon As Possible in Cold Water

Ever changed out of a wet swimsuit, tossed it in a plastic bag, and vowed to deal with it when you get home? The odds are you won’t hop on it right away.

So, at the very least, give your swimsuit a good rinse right away. If you’re swimming in an indoor pool, this can be as easy as wearing your suit in the shower after your swim. The exact same way you want to rinse that chlorine off your skin and hair, you’ll want to rinse it off your suit.

If you’re at the beach for a day, see if there are outdoor showers you can hop under to rinse away the sand and salt every once in a while. If not, give the swimsuit a really good rinse when you get home, even if you don’t have time for a full-on hand wash or laundry cycle.

Indeed, you don’t need to properly “launder” your suit after every wear. Lukewarm water and a thorough rinse are gentle and effective in between washing cycles. But that doesn’t mean you should skip a more thorough wash entirely. Make sure you’re also putting your swimsuit through a proper laundry cycle.

How To Wash Your Swimsuit: Ideally, Hand Wash That Bathing Suit!

Bathing suits can be delicate items, and it’s important to help them keep their shape. If you’re the kind of person who likes hand-washing items (I strangely love hand-washing my delicates), your swimsuit is a great candidate.

Let’s break it down step-by-step:

• Step 1: Fill your sink with warm (not hot) or cool water and mild detergent. Swish the water gently to make sure the detergent is mixed and dissolved properly. See our note below about choosing the right detergent. 
• Step 2: Submerge your swimsuit in the water. Like any time you’re doing laundry, separate lights from darks and colors. Colors can run even when you’re hand washing!
• Step 3: Leave them to soak! Aim for about 10 to 15 minutes. 
• Step 4: Gently agitate the swimsuits in the water. Swish and swirl each swimsuit in the water. Don’t get too aggressive here: Remember, these are delicate garments. But you do want to make sure you agitate any dirt out of the fabric. The water will probably look pretty murky at this stage, which is always simultaneously kinda gross and satisfying to see!
• Step 5: Rinse. Under running lukewarm or cool/cold water, rinse each swimsuit until the water runs clear. (By the way, you can also wash other undergarments and clothing using the same steps.)
• Step 6: Do not wring your swimsuit out! Instead, press it gently between two small towels (or one larger folded one) to gently absorb excess water.

...But You Can Wash Bathing Suits in the Washing Machine (Carefully) 

Every swimsuit will come with its own set of washing instructions, so this may not apply in every single case. If you have any Knix swimwear or period swimwear, however, you’ll specifically notice that you can machine wash them (yay!) Here are my recommendations for how to do that:

If you’re opting for the washing machine, there are just a few key steps you'll want to follow.

• Step 1: Fasten all the hooks/clasps. Hooks and clasps can catch on to other items of clothing, which can cause a lot of stretching, pulling, and even breakage of your swimsuits in the machine. So if your bikini or swimsuit has clasps, make sure you fasten them to minimize the chances of that happening.
• Step 2: Place the swimsuits in a mesh bag/lingerie bag. A mesh bag or lingerie bag is great for keeping delicates (bras, underwear, socks, tights) contained in the laundry and protects them from tangling with less delicate garments.
• Step 3: Separate your colors/weights. As always with laundry, you want to take a moment to separate your colors (white, black, and colors). You can also separate your loads by weight, including swimsuits with other lighter items, like tees, socks, underwear, etc., rather than heavier pieces like bed linens, jeans, and sweatshirts.
• Step 4: Choose a gentle cycle. Make sure to set your machine on a gentle cycle or cold water cycle when you’re washing undergarments, bathing suits or other delicates.

Other Tips for Maintaining Your Swimsuit

You’re not quite done yet! Here are some final tips:

Use Mild Lingerie or Lingerie Detergent

Detergents can be strong stuff, so try to choose a mild, gentle detergent. If you already use a specialty detergent for lingerie, use it for your swimsuit too. You may notice that your lingerie store sells specialty detergent or lingerie wash for washing bras and lingerie. The key to look for is an alcohol-free detergent. Some of our favorites for lingerie and swimsuits include:

• Soak Wash: Manufactured in Toronto, Soak is an eco-friendly, rinse-free wash that cleans beautifully and is ideal for hand or machine washing bras.
• The Laundress: The Laundress’ Delicate Wash is ideal for lingerie and other items labeled “dry clean.” This formula removes sweat, body oils, and stains while cleaning and preserving fabrics.

Do Not Use Softener

You should never use a fabric softener with your bras (or any synthetics, like athletic clothes) as it can leave a residue on these fabrics that will impede their moisture and sweat-wicking abilities.

The same idea applies to your swimwear: keep them residue-free and scrap the softener altogether.

Some Don’t Like It Hot: Skip the Dryer

While you can safely toss your Knix swimsuit in the washing machine, the dryer should be seen as an enemy. The hot temperatures of the dryer can cause elastic to snap and break, which will result in your swimsuit becoming baggy and misshapen in all the worst ways. You definitely want to preserve their elasticity. Skip the dryer and let your swimsuit air dry.

Lay Swimwear Flat to Dry

When it comes to air drying, laying the suit flat is best. This means the wet suit won’t be pulled down by gravity, which would happen if it was hanging. Laying it flat will help preserve its shape.

Finding a suitable place to lay your swimsuit flat is also a good idea. This could be on top of a leveled drying rack, or even placed on a towel on top of your dryer. If it's summertime, laying it flat outside will also help to dry it evenly - and twice as fast. (Just keep it out of prolonged, direct sunlight while drying to preserve its color!)

Keep a Few Suits in Rotation

One of the easiest ways to prolong the lifespan of any item is to keep more than one in rotation. This means you’ll never have to panic-dry your suit because you’ll always have backup swimwear. 

It also means that the suit can “relax” between wears. If you find a swimwear style you truly love, you’ll want it to last, so this is the best tip I could offer (and one that I apply to everything, from perfect t-shirts and jeans to my favorite bras).

Wash Your Bathing Suit Right and It'll Thank You Later

Giving some extra attention to your bathing suit now will improve its longevity big time. Proper washing techniques can make a huge difference for both the short-term and the long-term, so it’s worth that bit of time to be set aside. Let’s be keen about keeping it clean!

A little TLC and your swimsuit should serve you all beach season long - and well beyond.

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.