Your swimwear needs proper care and maintenance for it to last longer. Without it, the fabric of the swimwear loses its color as well as elasticity and comfort. Your swimwear comes in contact with pool chemicals, saltwater, sunscreens and lotions, sand, etc. All these factors can lead to a much shorter life of your expensive and stylish swimwear if you neglect proper maintenance and cleaning.
In this article, we will give you some of the most effective tips that can help you take much better care of your swimwear so stay with us till the end.
How to Wash Your Swimwear
Here is how you can wash your swimwear without causing any damage to the fabric:
- Rinse Your Bathing Suit
Make sure to rinse your swimwear with fresh water immediately after you are done using it. Prolonged exposure to water, salt, sand, or chlorine can affect the fabric of your swimwear and that is why it is not wise to throw it in your bag without rinsing it.
- Turn the Suit Inside Out
Before washing the swimwear, it is better to turn it inside out. The front surface of your swimwear can get damaged if you rub it vigorously with your hands. By turning the suit inside out, more force is applied to that side which helps you do a much better cleaning job.
- Drain and Refill Your Sink
After you have rinsed the swimwear, you need to empty the sink or container that you used for the job and fill it again with fresh water. After that, you need to add about 1 teaspoon of laundry detergent to the water and wash your swimwear with your hands.
- Target the Stains
You need to target the stains on your swimwear and rub it with force. These stains can affect the fabric quality and strength and that is why you need to get rid of these first.
- Submerge the Suit
After all the stains have been removed, submerge the swimwear in the solution continuing water and a mild detergent. After swishing for several minutes take it out and then rinse carefully.
- Remove Excess Water
Now take it out of the water and gently squeeze it to remove the excess water. Do not wring your swimwear with extra force since it can affect the elasticity of the fabric.
How to Dry Your Swimwear Properly
Once you have washed your swimwear, the next step is to dry it the right way. Here is what you need to do when drying swimwear
- Remove Excess Water
Some people tend to grab and twist their swimwear with force to get all the water out. Though it may work for the time, it also damages the fabric. A more proper approach involves laying your swimwear on top of a towel placed on a flat surface and then rolling up the towel so that it completely covers the swimwear. The towel then does its job and absorbs most of the water from the swimwear.
- Air Dry Your Swimwear
Some people tend to use a dryer to dry their swimwear. The heat and pressure from the dryer can shorten the life of swimwear. Instead, you can airdry your swimwear by laying it flat on a table or by hanging it on a clothesline.
- Turn on a Fan to Dry Faster
If you are air-drying your swimwear inside your house, you can use a fan to quicken the process. The air from the fan can remove water vapors from swimwear resulting in quicker and better drying.
- Hang Your Swimwear Away from the Sun
The high-energy rays from the sun can damage the fabric of the swimwear and cause it to lose its elasticity and strength. This is why it is better to find a shady outdoor place for drying your swimsuits.
- Avoid Hanging Your Swimwear to Dry
You need to avoid hanging your swimwear when it is soaking wet. In this case, the water can pull the swimwear downward which can cause it to get loose. You can instead lay your swimwear flat on a table or some other surface and let it air dry. This way it can get dry without losing its fitting.
How to Store Your Swimwear the Right Way
The storage of swimwear is an important thing that so many people ignore. Not storing your swimwear the right way can lead to their poor fitting and performance which is the last thing you need.
Here is how you can store your swimwear properly
- Fold Your Swimwear Properly
The first step is to determine the type of your swimwear and the right folding technique for it. You cannot fold one pieces the same way you fold swim trunks, broad shorts, and bikini tops and bottoms. Folding your swimwear, the right way can increase its lifespan and maintain its original shape for a long time.
- Swimwear Storage in Drawers
If you use drawers for storing your swimwear, you can place the items on top of one another. You can also use plastic garment bags to place different swimwear items separately. This can help you find the swimwear you need for the moment without affecting the folding of other items.
- Swimwear Storage in a Storage Unit
You can also use a storage unit for keeping your swimwear safe long term. These units protect your items from high temperature, humidity, and general wear and tear. It is recommended that you use sealed plastic bags or sealed containers for keeping your swimwear inside storage units
- Swimwear Storage in a Closet
If you have space in your closet then you can also hang your swimwear in there. Just make sure to hang only the dry swimwear in your closet. You can hang your bikini tops, bikini bottoms, swimming shorts, and almost every other swimwear item in your closet if you have space.
Tips for Removing Chorine and Saltwater Residue from Your Swimwear
Here is how you can remove saltwater and chlorine from your swimwear
- Rinse Thoroughly
The first step is to rinse your swimwear thoroughly with cold water. This will remove most of the chlorine and saltwater that was present on the surface of the swimwear.
- Using Dechlorinating Agents
To remove chlorine that has seeped inside the fabric of the swimwear, you can use a dechlorinating agent. Add one or two drops of this agent in a sink of cold water and soak your swimwear for about 10 to 15 minutes. After that, you can take it out and let it air dry. Remember to not rinse your swimwear after taking it out of the sink containing the dechlorinating agent.
- Handwash the Swimwear with a Gentle Detergent
You can also use a gentle detergent to get rid of salt water from your swimwear. Make sure to add the detergent in a very small amount to ensure your fabric doesn’t get damaged by reacting with its chemicals.
Conclusion
The proper washing, drying, and storage of your swimwear is necessary if you want it to last longer. If you wash your swimwear with your hands using cold water and light detergents, dry it by laying it flat on the table, and store it by folding it properly, you will not have to go swimwear shopping every time you wish to have a fun time at a pool or beach.
If you follow the above tips, we assure you that your swimwear will get all the care it needs to stay in its best shape.
You can visit Mawkini to find a wide range of swimwear for women of all body types and skin tones.
