5 Ways You Might Be Ruining Your Swimsuit

Nothing completes a quintessential summer wardrobe like a swimsuit. They are the pieces I look forward to wearing every summer, and this year, I got to break out my swimsuits for a first-time trip to Cancun, Mexico! Even while traveling, I always make sure to follow proper care because of how delicate swimsuits are. If you catch yourself replacing your swimsuit every summer, then this guide is for you. I will share all the things that ruin your swimsuit, and what you can do instead to make yours last.

1. Remember to rinse your swimsuit after you leave the pool.

The first culprit of swimsuit damage is chlorine. While it is effective in disinfecting pools and hot tubs, chlorine actually degrades fabric quality and spandex. Damage is inevitable with frequent exposure. However, you can minimize it by rinsing your swimsuit in fresh water immediately after each wear. In fact, this tip is the most important (and simple one) I recommend you follow.

Also remember to rinse before you dip into a pool. Once your swimsuit fabric is saturated with fresh water, it is less likely to absorb as much chlorine.

2. Put your sunscreen on before your swimsuit.

Perhaps a lesser known fact, sunscreen both damages and discolors ours swimsuits. Ingredients in sunscreen can react with chlorine in pool water to create yellow stains in our fabric. Then the oils in sunscreens themselves can seep into the fabric and leave hard-to-remove stains.

One common way to prevent this issue is to apply sunscreen first. Give yourself 10-minutes for the sunscreen to dry off, and then put on your swimsuit so it does not come into direct contact with any lotions. Also, don’t forget to rinse your swimsuit in fresh water to remove sunscreen after wear.

3. Understand the effects of saltwater.

Salt is corrosive, and can cause dyes to fade. It can also wear on different fasteners or clasps attached to your swimsuit. However, experts agree that saltwater seems less damaging than chlorine. Even so, the best way to prevent damage is to rinse before and after.

An article from Lands’ End also encourages you to pre-treat your swimsuit by soaking it a cold vinegar bath. This step helps to lock the color in, and prevent fading issues later on.

4. Wear cover-up for UV-protection.

Sunlight can cause color, but the intense UV rays also breaks down spandex. Once these fibers are damaged, the swimsuit no longer has anything to keep the fabric resilient. This poor stretch-recovery is why damaged swimsuits will start to sag. A simple way to minimize damage is by wearing a swim cover-up, and it is a great way to protect your skin too. Nowadays, brands like Summersalt (read my review HERE) have great beach-to-street pieces, so you can seamlessly transition your outfits.

Use code VIANNAJS10 for $10 off your purchase.

5. Avoid wringing your swimsuit, and follow proper washing.

Out of all the things that ruin your swimsuit, proper fabric care is the one thing we have the most control over! I have made some of these rookie mistakes before, so here are the most common pitfalls to avoid:

• Hanging them to drip dry. The water weight can cause the fabric to sag. Instead, lay them flat to dry on a drying rack.
• Throwing them in the dryer, or washing them in hot water. Can cause color fade, and spandex damage. Just air dry them on a flat surface instead.
• Wringing. Very harsh on spandex fibers, and will cause them to tear or lose their elasticity. Instead, roll your swimsuit up in a towel (like a burrito) to blot out excess moisture.
• Use a delicate detergent. I love Dirty Labs (use code SBS10 for 10% Off), and their delicate wash works great. I have used this product on pantyhose, undies, and swimsuits before.

I hope you found this list of things that ruin your swimsuit to be helpful. Now you know what to avoid so that your swimsuit stays in top-quality this summer!