Summer is just around the corner, and if you’re planning to spend some time soaking up the sun at the beach or pool, you’ll need to make sure your bathing suit is well taken care of. Washing your bathing suit can be tricky, as you want to make sure it stays in good condition and doesn’t lose its shape or color. In this article, we’ll share some tips and tricks for washing your bathing suit so it stays looking great all season long.
Why Do You Need to Wash Your Bathing Suit?
Before we dive into the specifics of how to wash your bathing suit, let’s talk about why it’s important to do so. When you wear your bathing suit, it comes into contact with a lot of things – sunscreen, sweat, sand, chlorine, and saltwater, just to name a few. All of these things can cause damage to your bathing suit over time, so it’s important to wash it properly to keep it in good condition.
How Often Should You Wash Your Bathing Suit?
How often you need to wash your bathing suit depends on how often you wear it and how much exposure it has to things like sunscreen, sweat, and chlorine. As a general rule, you should wash your bathing suit after every wear to help remove any dirt, sweat, or chemicals that may have accumulated on it.
What’s the Best Way to Wash Your Bathing Suit?
When it comes to washing your bathing suit, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
1. Use Cold Water
Hot water can cause your bathing suit to shrink or lose its shape, so it’s best to use cold water when washing it. Fill a sink or basin with cold water and add a small amount of mild detergent.
2. Avoid Bleach
Bleach can damage the fibers of your bathing suit and cause it to fade, so it’s best to avoid using it altogether. Stick to a gentle detergent instead.
3. Don’t Soak for Too Long
While it’s important to soak your bathing suit to help remove any dirt or sweat, you don’t want to leave it soaking for too long. A few minutes should be enough to get it clean.
4. Rinse Thoroughly
After washing your bathing suit, make sure to rinse it thoroughly with cold water to remove any remaining detergent or soap.
5. Don’t Wring or Twist
When it’s time to dry your bathing suit, don’t wring or twist it. This can cause the fibers to stretch or break, which can lead to the suit losing its shape.
6. Lay Flat to Dry
The best way to dry your bathing suit is to lay it flat on a towel or drying rack. Don’t hang it up, as this can cause it to stretch out of shape.
What About Machine Washing?
While hand washing is the best way to care for your bathing suit, you can also machine wash it if you’re in a hurry. Just make sure to follow these guidelines:
1. Use a Delicate Cycle
Set your washing machine to the delicate cycle to help protect your bathing suit from damage.
2. Use Cold Water
Again, cold water is best to help prevent shrinkage or damage to the fibers.
3. Use a Gentle Detergent
Stick to a gentle detergent that’s free of bleach or fabric softeners.
4. Don’t Use the Dryer
Avoid putting your bathing suit in the dryer, as the heat can cause damage to the fibers. Instead, lay it flat to dry.
FAQs
1. Can You Use Vinegar to Clean Your Bathing Suit?
While some people swear by using vinegar to clean their bathing suits, it’s generally not recommended. Vinegar can be harsh on the fibers of your suit and can cause it to break down over time.
2. Can You Iron Your Bathing Suit?
No, you should never iron your bathing suit. The heat from the iron can cause the fibers to melt or shrink, which can ruin the suit.
3. Can You Use Fabric Softener?
No, you should avoid using fabric softener on your bathing suit. Fabric softener can cause the fibers to break down and can lead to the suit losing its shape.