How-to: Make your swimwear last more than a summer
Your go-to guide to look summer beach ready in style
Image by Etienne Girardet
Whether you are an avid swimmer or a seasonal one, I bet you spent lots of time picking your swimwear or, for some, building your collection of swimming gears. Living under the tropics also means that we get to use them more than your average user. Some bathing suits can even be an investment as the good ones or the really good ones often come with a hefty price tag.
As you know we are all about investing in good pieces and taking good care of them to stretch our dollars to the maximum, while avoiding looking so-so on the beach/swimming pool.
You will be surprised at how easy it is to care for your swimming gear. And while choosing the right one may be tough at times, taking care of it is not. You just need to be proactive and a little discipline about it.
Most bathing suits are made from high content of spandex in order to keep everything well tucked in as well as keeping your bathing suit in top shape. Salt water and/or chlorinated water can with time shorten the lifespan of your swimwear, especially if you don’t care for them the right way.
In this article, I’ve put together a few easy steps to start doing on day one of summer to keep your swimwear looking good.
WATER IS YOUR BEST FRIEND
Whenever possible, and after each swim, you should rinse with water. It is not only good for your bathing suit but also for your hair especially when the swimming pool you just used is fully chlorinated. When you are done with your day of swimming, thoroughly rinse your bathing suit with tepid water until you are not able to smell the chlorine on it. When it comes to salt water, I always find that it is easier to rinse my swimwear to make sure I fully remove all the salt. The salt residue will eventually damage the surface of your bathing suit as salt can be slightly corrosive.
Once your swimwear is fully rinsed the best is to air dry it flat so it won’t lose its shape, especially valid for the swimsuit that are on the thicker side.
WHAT NOT TO DO
As much at it can be tempting do not use the spinner that you can sometimes find in changing room in spas or gym. Again just rinse your swimwear, wring it a bit and place it in waterproof bag until you get home. Then, repeat the operation just in case and let it air-dry flat
Do not use the tumble dry. I know that some swimwear comes with the instruction that you can use it but if you want to make sure your latest purchase last you long, I will stay away from it as tumble dry may accelerate the wear-and-tear of the material.
For any deeper clean or spot removal I use “Savon de Marseille” but you can also use a super mild detergent that is diluted in water. This operation should be done as needed and not necessarily each time you go swimming. If you want an in-between care and full wash routine, you can let it soak in plain water for 20 minutes or so.
“Do not use the tumble dry. I know that some swimwear comes with the instruction that you can use it but if you want to make sure your latest purchase last you long, I will stay away from it as tumble dry may accelerate the wear-and-tear of the material.”
BE AWARE OF OTHER CULPRITS
For those of us who live in humid countries, be aware of the humidity in your drawers. If you don’t use your swimsuit often, the humidity might eventually damage the elastics. Bottom line: Use them and do not hoard bathing suits if you barely use them.
Sitting on rough surfaces can also damage the surface of your bathing suits, so place a towel between you and the floor before you sit.
One of the biggest culprit is SPF. Now, I am in no way telling you not to wear SPF; just be aware that some can leave some hard-to-remove spots on your bathing suits. So, choose yours accordingly while making that protecting your skin is the top priority, of course
Last but not least, the quality of your purchase is also to be taken into account. Personally, I am impartial to a particular brand, and they don’t come cheap. However, with the care list I provided above, I have been able to use some for more than 15 years. Thus, I will say expensive swimwear is not only worth the investment but, thanks to the high quality materials, I am able to build a mini collection of swimsuits that makes me ready for any occasions without the guilt or the hassle of having to do it all over again every summer season.
And, yes, the care list is naturally valid for your kids’ swimsuits as well as men’s swimming trunks. Just remember that a little care can go a long way.
How about you do you have any tips on how you care for your bathing suit? Let us know in the comments down below!