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Caring for Swimwear and Summerwear

© Peggy Hoehne

Try to avoid oil based suntan lotions. Oils are harmful to swimwear elastic and will stain some fabrics. If you occasionally jump into the pool while tanning, try rinsing off under a fresh water shower after being in the pool. The heat of the sun will set the chlorine, eventually weakening the fabric's fibers.

Here are several tips to help your swimsuit to last longer.

• Soak your new suit in a mixture of vinegar and water for 30 minutes (1 tablespoon vinegar to 1 quart of water) to slow down fading of bright colors.
• Shower with clear water before going into the pool. If the suit is already saturated with clear water, it will absorb slightly less chlorine.
• Rinse your suit in cool water immediately after swimming.
• Hand wash in cool water with mild liquid soap (no Woolite). Rinse well.
• Use a suit cleaner; it extends the life of your new suit by neutralizing the leftover pool chemicals that eat at the materials.
• Wash your suits separately until any excess dye washes out. Most suits will bleed a little the first few washings. This is normal, the bleeding will stop.
• Squeeze out excess water.
• Roll up in a clean, lint free, and light-colored or fade resistant towel and squeeze again.
• Hang to air dry. Do not line dry your suit in the sun.

Suit Don'ts:

• Do not sit on the pool edge without using a towel to protect the bottom of your suit. Do not rub the front of your suit along the inner edge of the pool. The Lycra filaments will snag causing them to break. Your suit will begin to have that "pilled" look.
• Do not bleach your suit, iron it, or wash it with whites.
• Do not machine wash or dry. Washing machines and detergents are too harsh and will lead to premature suit breakdown. Excessive dryer heat will destroy your swimsuit.
• Do not leave rolled up in wet towels or in gym bag. Moisture left in your suit for extended periods of time will lead to unwanted odor and suit failure.

Special care instructions:

• Use extra caution with holographic and metallic fabrics, they are very delicate. These suits are for show only. The metallic will eventually wear off.
• Wear only your oldest suit in a hot tub or Jacuzzi. They are the equivalent to putting your suit in a pot of bleach water on the stove and simmering it. No suit will hold up when used in hot tubs, Jacuzzis, or heavily chlorinated pools.