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Ever wondered why your favorite swimsuit looks amazing during the first few wears but slowly starts to fade, stretch out, or lose its shape after a few weeks? The truth is, swimwear goes through a lot: chlorine, salt water, sand, sunscreen, heat, and frequent washing all gradually break down the fibers.
But with the right swimwear care routine, your swimsuit can stay vibrant, bouncy, and beautifully fitted for a very long time. To help you out, make sure to keep reading until the end!
Why Does Swimwear Fade or Sag in the First Place?
Before we get into the tips, it helps to understand the why. Swimwear fabric typically is exposed to harsh conditions, such as:
1. Chlorine and salt water wear out fibers
Chlorine opens up the fabric fibers and weakens them, leading to fading and loss of elasticity. Salt water, although more natural, can also stiffen the fabric and cause gradual fading.
2. Heat breaks down elasticity
High temperatures from the sun, hot showers, dryers, or even storing your swimsuit in a hot car can break down spandex (elastane) quickly.
3. Sunscreen and oils stain and damage the fabric
SPF is essential for your skin, but not your swimsuit. Many sunscreen ingredients bond with swimwear fibers and cause yellowing and fading, especially on light-colored pieces.
4. Rough surfaces cause pilling
Sitting on poolside concrete, lying on rough tiles, or sliding around on rocks and sand can snag and pill the fabric.
Tips to Keep Your Swimwear Looking Vibrant and Fitting Perfectly
These are the kind of real, everyday tips that actually make a difference.
1. Rinse as Soon as You Get Out of the Water
This is the single most important habit you can build. After swimming, chlorine and salt cling to your swimsuit’s fibers. Even if the suit looks clean, those chemicals are already working to break down the elasticity over time.
A quick rinse helps remove most of the residue before it can do damage. Use cool, clean water, and make sure to rinse:
- The straps
- The inner lining
- The areas under the arms
- The part that stayed underwater the most
If you’re traveling or at the beach with limited access to a shower, simply pouring a bottle of drinking water over your swimsuit works surprisingly well. A small effort, massive payoff.
2. Wash Your Swimsuit by Hand—Always
Machine washing is swimwear’s worst enemy. The fabric is delicate, and a washing machine exposes it to harsh detergents, strong spinning force, heat, stretching and friction
All of which cause loss of elasticity, fading, and premature sagging.
Here’s the proper way to wash it:
- Fill a sink or small basin with cold water.
- Cold water helps preserve fibers and prevent color bleeding.
- Add only a tiny amount of gentle soap.
- Baby shampoo or mild, fragrance-free detergent is perfect. Strong detergent can eat away at the spandex.
- Soak your swimsuit for 10–15 minutes.
- Gently rub areas that collect sweat or sunscreen, such as straps, underarm areas, and chest lining.
- Rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear.
- Press it between towels to remove excess water—don’t wring or twist!
- Air-dry flat to keep its shape.
3. Never Use the Dryer or Direct Sunlight
Heat is the natural enemy of swimwear elasticity. When exposed to high heat, the spandex in swimwear breaks down.
Instead, air-dry your swimsuit in the shade, ideally on a flat surface. Good airflow helps it dry without stretching.
A dryer, even on low heat or delicate mode, is still too hot. It’s the fastest way to ruin a perfectly good bikini or swimsuit.
4. Rotate Your Swimwear
Swimwear needs time to recover after it stretches out in water. Elastane fibers (the stretchy part) need at least 24 hours to return to their original form.
Wearing the same swimsuit every day forces the fibers to stay stretched, which causes sagging bottoms, loose straps, “wrinkled” look in the torso area, and loss of support.
Owning more than one swimwear piece isn’t just fun, but actually better for the health of your swimsuits. This gives each piece enough rest time to bounce back.
5. Avoid Sitting on Rough Surfaces
This might seem small, but it has one of the biggest effects on your swimsuit’s appearance.
Pool decks, rocks, tiles, and even rough wooden benches can cause pilling, where small fabric balls appear on the surface. Once pilling happens, it’s almost impossible to reverse.
To prevent this:
- Always put a towel down before sitting
- Be mindful of rough pool edges
- Avoid sliding on concrete or rough floors
6. Apply Sunscreen 15–20 Minutes Before Wearing Your Swimsuit
Sunscreen is fantastic for your skin but not your swimwear. Many SPF products contain ingredients that leave yellow stains and cause discoloration (especially on white or pastel swimwear).
To prevent this, apply sunscreen 15–20 minutes before putting your swimsuit on. Give it time to absorb into the skin so it doesn’t rub off onto the fabric.
And don’t forget: wash your hands before adjusting your swimsuit—this is how accidental stains often happen.
7. Avoid Hot Water (Showers, Jacuzzi, Sauna)
Heat weakens the structure of swimwear fibers. While warm showers are okay, hot water is a different story.
If you enjoy hot tubs, designate a swimsuit specifically for those activities. Just assume it won’t last as long, and that’s okay as long as you plan for it.
8. Don’t Leave Your Swimsuit Rolled Up and Wet
It’s tempting to toss your wet swimsuit into a bag after a swim, especially when rushing home—but this creates the perfect environment for damage.
If you’re in a rush, place the swimsuit in a breathable waterproof pouch. But take it out as soon as you get home to wash and dry it
9. Use a Vinegar Rinse Occasionally
Vinegar works wonders to maintain swimwear fabric. You don’t need to do this every time—just once every few weeks or anytime your swimwear feels “heavy,” dull, or stiff.
How to do a vinegar rinse:
- Mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with a basin of cold water.
- Soak your swimsuit for 20 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
- Air-dry in the shade.
You’ll notice the fabric feels softer, fresher, and more vibrant afterward.
How to Choose Swimwear That Is Resistant to Chlorine and Salt Water
Caring for swimwear is important—but choosing the right swimwear from the start is just as essential. No matter how well you wash, rinse, or dry your swimsuit, low-quality materials will still fade, sag, and lose shape much faster.
1. Look for High-quality Swimwear
If you swim in pools often, chlorine is your swimsuit’s biggest enemy. It’s harsh, corrosive, and will weaken cheap fabric quickly. That’s why choosing high-quality swimwear is a must.
Diana Intimates swimsuits use premium-grade, chlorine-friendly fabrics that don’t just “look good”; but engineered to survive pool water exposure without immediate fading or stretching. If you’re someone who swims regularly or plans pool-intensive vacations, this choice alone will significantly extend your swimwear’s lifespan.
2. Choose Darker Colors and Prints for a Longer Lifespan
We all love a beautiful pastel or neon bikini—but if you’re looking for longevity, darker shades and busy prints last far longer.
Why darker colors last longer:
- They’re less likely to visibly fade
- They can handle UV rays better
- They hide wear and tear
- Chlorine damage doesn’t show as quickly
If you’re looking for darker swimwear colors that don’t just look elegant but also last longer, you’ll love our Plastisol Print Classic Legsuit – Black and Gold Foil Modest Swimset – Black Gold.
Dark colors naturally resist fading, and when paired with high-quality materials like ours, you get a swimsuit that stays vibrant even after repeated dips in chlorine or salt water. The black base gives a sleek, slimming effect, while the gold detailing adds a luxurious touch without compromising durability.
Both options are designed with thick, supportive fabric, strong elastic recovery, and premium prints that don’t crack or peel, even with frequent wear. They’re perfect for swimmers who want something elegant, long-lasting, and comfortable—so if you’re aiming for style and performance, these sets are definitely worth trying.
3. Check for UV Protection Labels
Most people think UV protection is just for skin—but UV rays also break down swimwear fibers, making them weak, faded, and brittle over time. That’s why selecting swimwear with a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating is such an underrated but important step.
Diana Intimates includes UPF protection in every of their swimwear pieces, giving you both durability and confidence under the sun—without compromising comfort or style.
Ready to Upgrade Your Swimwear Collection? Shop Diana Intimates Today.
Caring for your swimwear starts with good habits, but choosing the right pieces from the beginning makes everything easier. And if you’re ready to invest in pieces that combine durability, style, and comfort, Diana Intimates is the perfect place to start.
Every type of swimwear and lingerie product is made from premium materials and has undergone a strict quality control process to ensure maximum comfort, long-lasting performance, and a flawless fit for every woman. Purchase yours today!
FAQ
How often should I wash my swimwear?
After every wear. Even if you only dipped in once, your suit has been exposed to chlorine, sweat, sunscreen, salt, or bacteria.
Can I wash swimsuits in the washing machine if I use a laundry bag?
Technically you can, but it’s not recommended. Even with a laundry bag, machine washing weakens elastane quickly.
