Chlorine, salt, sunscreen, and heat degrade swimwear faster than almost any other garment care scenario. Most of the damage is preventable.
Elastane, nylon, and polyester blends are engineered for stretch and recovery. They are also among the most vulnerable fabrics in a wardrobe. Chlorine breaks down elastane with every exposure. Salt water stiffens fibres if not rinsed. Sunscreen bonds to the fabric when left to dry. Heat from tumble drying or a hot car boot destroys stretch permanently. Most swimwear fails not because it was worn out but because it was not rinsed, dried, or stored correctly. This guide covers what actually protects swimwear through a full season and beyond.
Why swimwear needs special care
Swimwear faces a combination of stresses that no other garment encounters. Chlorine breaks down elastane — the fibre responsible for stretch and shape recovery — and fades colour with every exposure. Salt water draws moisture out of fibres, leaving them stiff and brittle if not rinsed. Sun
screen and body oils leave a chemical residue that bonds to the fabric when left to dry, becoming harder to remove with every hour. Heat from tumble drying, car boots, or wringing destroys the stretch recovery permanently.
Elastane is the critical ingredient. It is what gives swimwear its fit, its hold, and its ability to recover between wears. Once elastane breaks down, the garment sags, loses its shape, and cannot be repaired. Prevention is everything because recovery is impossible.
Rinse immediately — every time
This is the single most important step in swimwear care. Rinse in cold, clean water immediately after swimming — at the pool, at the beach, under an outdoor shower. Thirty seconds of cold water removes the majority of chlorine, salt, and sunscreen residue before it begins to bond with the fabric.
Do not leave wet swimwear in a bag or rolled in a towel for hours. Chlorine continues to work on the fibres as long as it is present. Salt crystallises inside the fabric as it dries, making it stiff and harder to remove the longer it sits. Neither can be fully reversed once they have been left for several hours. The rinse takes half a minute. The damage it prevents is significant.
How to wash swimwear correctly
Hand wash in cool water with a small amount of gentle, natural detergent. No optical brighteners. No enzyme-based cleaners. These are designed for heavier fabrics and will strip the colour and finish from swimwear over repeated washes.
Do not wring. Squeeze gently and support the full weight of the garment so the stretch is not pulled unevenly. Machine washing is not recommended even on a delicate cycle — the agitation stretches elastane and the spin distorts the structure. A garment that goes into a machine with a flat waistband comes out with a wavy one.
Do not use fabric softener. It coats the fibres, reduces stretch recovery, and traps odour rather than removing it. If the garment smells of chlorine after rinsing, a short soak in cool water with a tablespoon of white vinegar neutralises the smell without damaging the fabric.
Drying and storing swimwear
Lay flat to dry on a clean towel. Never hang swimwear — hanging stretches the fabric under its own wet weight, especially around straps, waistbands, and moulded cups. Never tumble dry. Heat destroys elastane permanently and there is no recovery once the stretch is gone.
Dry away from direct sunlight where possible. UV exposure fades colour even after swimming, and prolonged sun on wet fabric accelerates the breakdown of elastane.
Store flat or loosely rolled in a cool, dry drawer. Do not compress swimwear under heavy items — permanent creasing in structured fabric, moulded cups, and boning does not recover. Between seasons, clean the piece thoroughly and store it in a breathable cotton bag, not plastic. For more on sustainable seasonal storage, our guide to sustainable fabric care covers the principles in detail.
Designer and luxury swimwear
Pieces from La Perla, Eres, Vilebrequin, or Missoni involve specific fabric constructions, hand-applied embellishment, and colourways that require more careful handling than standard swimwear. A beaded detail, a printed panel, or a structured moulded cup can all respond unpredictably to even gentle hand washing if the water temperature or detergent is wrong.
For these pieces, hand washing with extra care is the minimum. Bringing them to BLANC’s garment cleaning service is the safer option. The team reads the fabric and construction before choosing a method — the same principle applied to couture garments applies to luxury swimwear. For everyday swimwear that clients prefer not to hand wash at home, our wash and fold service uses controlled temperatures and natural detergents suited to elastane-based fabrics.
What to avoid
- Never wring. Squeeze gently and support the full weight of the garment.
- Never tumble dry. Lay flat on a clean towel away from direct sunlight.
- Never machine wash on a spin cycle. Agitation and centrifugal force damage elastane permanently.
- Never use bleach. It destroys fabric structure and strips colour.
- Never sit in sunscreen on a dry garment. The chemicals react with fabric when not diluted by water. Apply sunscreen, let it absorb, then put on the swimwear.
- Never store damp. Mildew forms within hours in sealed bags. Rinse, dry completely, then store.
Arrange a collection or visit any BLANC studio
Complimentary collection and delivery is included across central and west London. Schedule a pickup online in under a minute, choose a time that works for you, and we collect your garments, clean them, and return them to your door.
The service covers Chelsea, Marylebone, South Kensington, Notting Hill, Knightsbridge, Mayfair, Belgravia, Fitzrovia, and the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Book online at blancliving.co, call 020 8004 2630, or visit Chelsea, Marylebone, South Kensington, or Notting Hill.
FAQs
How should I wash swimwear?
Hand wash in cool water with a small amount of gentle, natural detergent. Do not wring — squeeze gently and support the garment’s weight. Rinse in cold water immediately after every swim to remove chlorine, salt, and sunscreen before they bond with the fabric.
Can swimwear go in the washing machine?
It is not recommended. Even on a delicate cycle, the agitation stretches elastane and the spin distorts the garment’s structure. Hand washing in cool water is gentler and more effective at preserving the fit and shape of the piece.
Why does swimwear lose its shape?
Elastane — the fibre that gives swimwear its stretch and recovery — breaks down when exposed to chlorine, heat, and mechanical stress. Tumble drying, wringing, and machine washing all accelerate this process. Once elastane degrades, the garment sags permanently and cannot be repaired.
How do I care for designer swimwear?
Hand wash with extra care using cool water and a gentle detergent, or bring the piece to a professional garment cleaning service. Designer swimwear from brands like La Perla, Eres, and Missoni often involves hand-applied embellishment and specific fabric constructions that require individual assessment before cleaning.
How should I store swimwear between seasons?
Clean thoroughly, dry completely, and store flat or loosely rolled in a breathable cotton bag. Do not compress under heavy items. Store in a cool, dry drawer away from direct sunlight. Never store damp or in plastic.
