How to Wash Your Bathing Suit, Rash Guard, and Swim Trunks
Summer is in full swing, and like us, many of you are planning days of fun at the pool and the beach. While it's easy to remember the essential sunscreen and eye protection to protect your body from the sun, your bathing suits, rash guards, and swim trunks take a real beating. These high-use summer fabrics are immediately exposed to chlorine, saltwater, and sand from the minute you arrive at the pool or beach. We get it — despite being well-intentioned, it's easy to neglect fabric care, but it's really important to adopt a routine to keep these garments looking their best. For added insight, we reached out to Sammy Wang, P&G Fabric Care Senior Scientist (a real-life cleaning expert) to learn more about washing swimsuits after exposure to coarse sand and chlorine bleach (among other pool chemicals)
"Always follow the care instructions on garments and accessories," started Wang, clearly acknowledging that your beach towels and your bath towels have dramatically different care needs. "Specialized items with treatments or delicate constructions may need to be hand washed or spot cleaned with stain removers, so check the label before machine washing. In general, we recommend putting delicate items like bathing suits into mesh bags before washing (to help prevent snagging) and washing in cold water with a detergent designed to clean well in cold like Tide."
She added, "Avoid containing wet towels and beach fabrics for too long, as it can cause musty odors. If possible, let items dry out before transporting them home." Also, keep your wet beach towels separate from your bathing suit — not rolled up — if they will be wet for extended periods.
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How to Wash Your Bathing Suit
Chlorine can fade colors and degrade fabrics, so rinse out the swimsuit fabric after wearing them in pools with chlorinated water to prevent prolonged exposure to chlorine. A mild detergent helps and cold, fresh water goes a long way.
"Always check the care label on your bathing suit fabric," starts Wang. "If it is machine washable, you can wash it in your washing machine according to the instructions on the label. We recommend putting swimwear fabric in a mesh bag, washing on cold, and air drying flat on a drying rack for best results. If the swimsuit is hand wash only, fill a bucket or sink with a few gallons of cold water and quality liquid laundry detergent. Gently hand wash the item in cool water and then rinse the liquid detergent is gone and the water runs clear. Squeeze out excess clean water and lay flat to dry."
Tips for Extending the Life of Your Bathing Suit
Don’t dry bathing suits in the direct sunlight. The UV light can cause fading and, in some cases, uneven fading.
Don’t dry in the dryer. The heat can damage the suit’s elasticity — even during a gentle cycle.
Don’t hang a suit to dry. Just like a delicate cycle, strain on the fibers can cause it to stretch out and lose its shape. Lay the swimsuit flat on a drying rack instead.
When you're done swimming and need to change clothes, avoid the urge to wrap your wet swimsuit in a towel, which can lead to musty odors. Simply rinse it in cold water to remove chlorine or salts from ocean water, body oil, and sunscreen stains, and let it air dry in a shady place until you can launder it properly.
