How to make your swimsuit last longer (2024)

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One of the best things about the summer season is that you can bring out your swimsuit and enjoy some time in the water. However, swimsuits are not cheap and you want to make sure that you get as much wear out of them as possible.

You also don’t want to bring out your swimsuit from last season just to realise that it’s in much worse contition then you thought and won’t last you another season.

Swimsuits are often made of durable materials, but how long they last depends on how often they are worn and how well they are taken care of. A swimsuit that is only worn a few times a year can last for several years, but one that is worn regularly may need to be replaced every year or two. Usually swimsuits last 2-3 seasons.

Knowing how how long your swimsuit is expected to last will give you a better sense of how many swimsuits you should own overall.

One you learn that all swimsuit doesn’t last an eternity, you’ll want to make sure that you have several suits for different occations.

How to make a swimsuit last longer

While you can’t always prevent your swimsuit from getting damaged or worn out, there are ways to extend its lifespan. Taking great care of your swimsuit will keep it in mint condition a lot longer and you can enjoy it for many more beachdays to come.

Use these tips to make your swimsuit last longer:

Rinse after every use
Only hand wash your swimsuit

Let your swimwear dry completely before being stored or packed
Dry in the shadow
Rotate between suits

Avoid sunscreen
Careful around pool edges

Rinse after every use

The number one rule to make your swimsuit last is to rinse it off with cool water as soon as you can after swimming. This will help remove any salt, chlorine or sand that could potentially damage the fabric.

If you don’t have time to rinse it right away, at least soak your swimsuit in cool water for a few minutes to prevent the chlorine from setting.

Only hand wash your swimsuit

Even if the label says that your swimsuit is machine-washable, it’s always best to hand wash it. This is especially important for delicate fabrics like Lycra or spandex which can easily get damaged in a washing machine.

To hand wash your swimsuit, fill a sink or a large bowl with cool water and add a mild detergent. Soak the suit for about 15 minutes, then rinse it thoroughly with cool water.

Let your swimwear dry completely before being stored or packed

It’s important to let your swimsuit dry completely before storing it away. If you pack a wet swimsuit, it can easily get mouldy and damage the fabric.

Tip: Learn how to wash mold away from your swimsuit

The best way to dry a swimsuit is to lay it flat on a towel in the shadow. Avoid putting it in direct sunlight as this can cause the colours to fade. Once it’s completely dry, fold it up and store it in a cool, dry place.

Rotate between suits

If you wear the same swimsuit over and over again, it’s going to wear out much faster. It’s a good idea to have several swimsuits so you can rotate them and give each one a break. This way, they’ll all last longer.

Avoid sunscreen

While sunscreen is essential for protecting your skin, it can be very damaging to swimwear. The chemicals in sunscreen can cause the colours to fade and the fabric to break down.

If you’re going to be wearing sunscreen, make sure to put it on after you’ve put your swimsuit on. And be careful not to get any on the suit itself. If you still get sunscreen on your swimsuit here is our guide on how to wash it away!

Careful around pool edges

The edge of a pool is often very rough and can damage your swimsuit. Be careful when getting in and out of the pool so you don’t catch the fabric on the edge.

This goes for many other surfaces as well. Sitting on a towle will take you a long way around rough edges.

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What to do if your swimsuit starts to fade or stretch out

If your swimsuit starts to fade or stretch out, there are a few things you can do to fix it.

Swimsuits will eventually streach. Even the best quality can’t withstand unlimited seasons. When this happends, it’s most likely time for a new swimsuit. However, if you still don’t want to let your swimsuit go you can try to shrink it.

If the colours have faded, you can try any of the tips we’ve writen about in our article about restoring a discolored swimsuit.

How to clean a swimsuit properly

It’s important to clean your swimsuit properly after every use to keep it looking its best. Here are a few tips on how to do it:

Rinse the swimsuit with cool water as soon as possible. This will help remove any salt, chlorine or sand that could potentially damage the fabric.

If you don’t have time to rinse it right away, at least soak your swimsuit in cool water for a few minutes to prevent the chlorine from setting.

Hand wash the swimsuit in cool water with a mild detergent. Soak it for about 15 minutes, then rinse it thoroughly with cool water.

Let the swimsuit dry completely before storing it away or packing it for travel.

See our complete guide on How to wash a swimsuit

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Roundup

Swimsuits are a summertime staple, but taking care of them properly will help them last longer. Use these tips to keep your swimsuit in great condition all season long!

Do you have any tips of your own on how to keep a swimsuit in mint condition? Let us know in the comments below!

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Jonatan Rosdahl

I’ll write about anything and everything related to swimwear!

How to make your swimsuit last longer