The Right Way To Wash A Swimsuit So It Lasts For Years

You escaped the heat wave by splashing in the ocean. Now you have a pile of soggy trunks and bikinis to clean. After every swim, your bathing suit needs to be washed, even if you don't venture into the water and prefer tanning on the sand. If you wore it, the bikini belongs in the dirty clothes pile. Chlorine and salt water aren't the only perpetrators that soil the swimwear but also sweat and sunscreen — although the former pair does more harm as they can wear away at the elastic fibers.

As tempting as it is to throw your swimwear in a power wash before a high-heat dryer, that is a combination for ruin. Bathing suits are one of the many things you should never wash in your laundry machine. The spandex garment is not dryer-safe either. A thorough handwash is all these pieces need. A little soap and water go a long way to keep your trunks and tankini alive for another season.

Once your day by the pool is over, you should immediately rinse your bathing suit in cold water. A 30-minute pre-soak is best to draw out any trapped salt, debris, and chemicals. However, if you don't have a half hour to spare, the rinse will do. Laundering your bathing suit is a great time to try the salad spinner hack for easy hand-wash.

First, fill a container with cold water and add a teaspoon of laundry detergent. Turn the swimsuit inside out, plunge it into the solution, and gently scrub it with your hand. After a few minutes, wring out the garment and rinse again. Gently squeeze out excess water and lay the swimwear flat to dry (hanging up your bikini may cause it to stretch out).

Despite the warnings, if you'd rather put your washing machine to work, you'll need a mesh wash bag. Put the bathing wear into the mesh bag and add it to your load. Mild detergent is best, and fabric softener is a no. Run on the gentle cycle. Afterward, let your trunks air dry. You'll have a clean swimsuit ready to dirty again in no time.