Your swimwear works hard. Chlorine, saltwater, sunscreen, UV exposure. Every swim puts your suit through its paces. The good news is that with the right care routine, a well-made swimsuit can last years rather than seasons.
There is a reason some swimsuits lose their shape after a few months while others stay vibrant and supportive season after season. It is rarely just about the fabric, although that matters enormously. It is also about how you care for your suit between sessions.
This guide covers everything you need to know about washing, drying, storing and protecting your swimwear so it stays looking and performing its best for as long as possible.
The Golden Rule: Rinse Immediately After Every Swim
This is the single most impactful thing you can do for your swimwear. Chlorine, salt, minerals, sunscreen and body oils all begin to degrade fabric the moment they come into contact with it. Rinsing your suit in cold, clean fresh water immediately after every swim removes these elements before they have a chance to cause lasting damage.
For a deeper clean, you can also use TRISWIM Suit Soak to help break down chlorine and lingering residues, especially after heavy pool sessions or long days in the water.
This matters whether you have been in a chlorinated pool, the ocean or a freshwater lake. Each environment introduces different elements that affect fabric differently, and none of them improve with time.
To understand exactly what chlorine does to swimwear fabric over time, read: Why Chlorine Resistant Swimwear Saves You Money & The Planet
How to Wash Your Swimwear Properly
Hand Washing, the Recommended Method
Hand washing is always the best option for swimwear. Fill a basin or sink with cool water, add a small amount of gentle swimwear detergent or mild soap and submerge your suit. Gently agitate the fabric with your hands, do not scrub or wring. Rinse thoroughly in cool clean water until no soap remains.
What to Avoid When Washing
- Never use hot water, heat breaks down elastane and PBT fibres, causing the suit to lose its shape and stretch
- Never use bleach or harsh detergents, these strip colour and degrade fabric structure rapidly
- Never use fabric softener, it coats fibres and reduces the stretch recovery of the fabric
- Never wring or twist your swimsuit, this distorts the shape and stresses the fabric in ways it is not designed to handle
How to Dry Your Swimwear
Drying is where many people unintentionally damage their swimwear. The rules here are simple but important:
- Always air dry, never tumble dry swimwear. The heat of a dryer will cause irreversible damage to the fabric and elastic, and most suits will lose their shape after a single tumble dry session
- Dry flat or gently hang, laying your suit flat is the best option as hanging can stretch the straps and alter the shape. If hanging, use a wide hanger and hang from the body of the suit rather than the straps
- Dry in the shade, UV exposure continues to fade and degrade fabric even when dry. Drying your suit in direct sunlight accelerates colour fade and weakens the fibres over time
- Never dry on a heated towel rail or radiator, the heat has the same effect as a tumble dryer
How to Store Your Swimwear
Storage is often overlooked but it matters more than most people realise:
- Store your suit in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
- Never store a damp suit in a closed bag or container, this encourages mould and mildew which permanently damages fabric
- Fold gently rather than stuffing into a drawer, compression over time can affect the shape of structured suits
- Keep swimwear away from rough surfaces, zips and sharp objects in your swim bag
How to Make Your Swimwear Last Longer, The Habits That Make the Difference
Rotate Between Two Suits
If you swim regularly, three or more times per week rotating between at least two suits is one of the most effective ways to extend the life of both. Fabric needs time to recover its shape and elasticity after each session. Wearing the same suit every day does not give the fibres time to recover, accelerating wear.
Rinse Before You Swim
Rinsing your suit in fresh water before entering a chlorinated pool causes the fabric to absorb fresh water first, reducing the amount of chlorine the fabric absorbs during your swim. This is a simple habit that meaningfully extends fabric life over time.
Avoid Hot Tubs and Spas
Hot tubs and spas use significantly higher concentrations of chlorine and other chemicals than standard swimming pools, combined with elevated water temperatures. This combination is extremely harsh on swimwear fabric and can cause rapid deterioration in a very short time.
Be Careful With Sunscreen
Oil based sunscreens in particular can break down swimwear fabric over time. Apply sunscreen and allow it to absorb fully before putting on your suit where possible and rinse thoroughly after swimming to remove any residue.
Sit Carefully
Rough surfaces such as concrete pool edges, textured rocks, and coarse sand cause abrasive wear on swimwear fabric. Where possible, sit on a towel rather than directly on your suit.
How Long Should a Good Swimsuit Last?
With proper care, a high quality chlorine resistant swimsuit should last significantly longer than a standard fashion swimsuit. At JAYD Swimwear our premium Italian eco fabric and 100% PBT lining are specifically engineered for longevity. Meaning a well cared-for JAYD suit can last multiple seasons of regular swimming.
The combination of quality fabric and good care habits is what separates a suit that still looks great after two years from one that is faded and shapeless after two months.
Final Thoughts
Caring for your swimwear does not require much time or effort, but the habits you build around washing, drying and storing your suit make an enormous difference to how long it performs. Rinse after every swim, hand wash where possible, dry flat in the shade and store correctly. Those four habits alone will extend the life of any swimsuit significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you wash a swimsuit properly?
Rinse your swimsuit in cold fresh water immediately after swimming to remove chlorine, salt and sunscreen. Hand wash gently in cool water with a mild detergent, rinse thoroughly and lay flat to dry in the shade. Avoid hot water, bleach, fabric softener, wringing and tumble drying.
How often should you wash your swimsuit?
Rinse your swimsuit in fresh water after every single swim, this is essential. A full hand wash with detergent can be done every two to three swims, or whenever the suit has been exposed to heavy sunscreen, body oil or significant chlorine. Regular rinsing is far more important than frequent full washing.
Why does my swimsuit lose its shape?
Swimsuit fabric loses its shape when the elastic fibres, elastane, spandex or PBT, break down due to chlorine, heat or physical stress. The most common causes are tumble drying, hot water washing, wringing the suit and frequent hot tub use. Choosing a chlorine resistant fabric like JAYD Swimwear's PBT lining significantly slows this process.
How do you get chlorine smell out of a swimsuit?
Rinse your suit thoroughly in cold, fresh water immediately after swimming to remove chlorine before it sets into the fabric. For stubborn chlorine odour, soak your suit in cool water with TRISWIM Suit Soak to help break down any lingering residue. Avoid using hot water or harsh detergents, as these can damage the fabric and affect its longevity.
How long should a swimsuit last?
A well made, chlorine resistant swimsuit that is cared for properly can last multiple seasons of regular swimming. A standard fashion swimsuit used for frequent pool or ocean swimming may show significant wear within a few months. Fabric quality, care habits and frequency of use are the main factors that determine how long a swimsuit lasts.