White spots on my swimsuit (and what to do about them) [2024]

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It happens. You spend hours picking out the ideal swimsuit, and you it with pride on your holidays, completely indulging in the sun, sea, and sand – not a care in the world. That is until you get home and notice that what used to be a vividly colored suit has become a white-spotted suit. What happened?

Your swimsuit has fallen afoul of the dreaded white spots. They’re often the result of chlorine, sunscreen, and salt from saltwater. These substances don’t interact well with spandex, which is found in most swimsuits. Worn-out threads can also cause a white powdery substance to form on your swimsuit.

Fortunately, there are many strategies that can help you avoid these white spots. And if they’ve already arrived, worry not; there might be some hope that you can remove them.

White Spots on Swimsuits

Why do Swimsuits Get White Spots?

Swimsuits get white spots for a variety of reasons that generally involve an exterior influence or chemical, such as chlorine or sunlight interacting with the delicate materials of swimsuits.

So, the reason why swimsuits get white spots is woven into their material makeup. Composed of a blend of polyester, nylon, and spandex, they are an intricate blend of fabrics that are made up of many small fibers that can easily tear, shred, or fade.

However, while white spots appear on all of the material types, spandex is the most notable culprit. As the material that gives swimwear its stretchiness, spandex is more easily influenced. The main issue is that it’s more susceptible to chemical damage and loses the stretch factor faster, causing it to wear out.

This is just one reason why manufacturers are working on 100% polyester swimsuits for competitive swimwear. They state that the chemicals in the water don’t affect the polyester as much, and the swimsuits last longer.

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What Causes White Spots on Swimsuits?

Chlorine

While chlorine is necessary to keep swimming pools clean, it doesn’t always get along with the fabric used in making swimsuits. The chlorine used for sanitization causes a subtle bleaching action to occur, causing dirt, sweat, and grease to penetrate and discolor the fibers. So, if exposed to chlorine, the fabric will likely shred, the color could fade, and the elastic might break down. While this usually results in lighter-colored swimsuits taking on a yellow hue, it can also give rise to pesky white spots.

Saltwater

Saltwater pools or taking a dip in the sea may cause white stains and fading of your swimwear if you do not take the necessary steps to prevent them. When your suit is dry and you enter a saltwater pool, the material absorbs all the salt into the fibers of the swimwear.

Suppose you take your swimsuit off after swimming to let it dry; the salt is still stuck between the fibers and will cause fading of the colors of your swimsuit and, in extreme cases – white spots.

Lotions, Oils, and Sweat

These agents are harsh on the delicate material of the swimsuit, and the longer it is exposed to these elements, the quicker it will form white spots (absorbed into the fabric) or fade (affecting the color component of the material).

Age

As spandex ages, it tends to become more brittle. As a result, it can slowly transform into a powdery substance that appears as white spots on your swimsuit. Unfortunately, if you think this may be the cause of your swimsuit’s white spots, it might be too late, but that’s a good excuse to buy a new swimsuit, right?

Mold

Mold can cause white spots on your swimsuit related to fiber breakdown. Unfortunately, mold thrives in dampness, which is a state swimsuits often find themselves in. Luckily, if you are fast enough, you can remove the spots it forms on your swimsuit and save it.

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How to Avoid White Spots on Swimsuits

Apply Sunscreen First
Store Your Swimsuits Properly
Wash & Dry Safely

How to Remove White Spots from Swimsuits

Follow its Care Instructions

The best way to ensure your swimsuit stays in tip-top condition is to listen to its needs. Seek out its care label (usually located at the bottom of the suit on the inside) and locate its washing instructions. Be sure to follow these guidelines so that all lotion, oil, and sweat stains are removed from your swimsuit after every wash. Or, follow the tried and tested method of how to wash a swimsuit to ensure optimal results every time.

Spot Clean your Suit

If there are only a few white spots on your swimsuit, you could buy stain remover for swimsuits and treat each spot individually. Learning how to remove stains from your swimsuit could also save you a world of trouble and help your suits to look brand new after every wash.

DIY Swimsuit Stain Remover

recommend treating these areas with a vinegar-water solution. Simply fill your sink (or spray bottle) with equal parts water and white vinegar and submerge your suit in the solution for about 30 minutes. Then give it a rinse with clean, cold water and lay it out to dry.

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What if the White Spots Don’t Come Out?

If you’ve tried everything and your swimsuit’s white spots just won’t seem to budge, then it’s likely time for a new swimsuit. Often, if the white spots persist, it’s likely because your suit has been bleached by the sun or chlorine.

However, if you fear this may be the case, there is one solution:

Dye Your Swimsuit

Yes, that’s right. You can restore the color of your swimsuit and say goodbye to white spots through the power of dye. The most common method is to use a commercial fabric dye. This can be applied using a brush, sponge, or spray bottle and will typically give the swimsuit a uniform color. Another popular method is tie-dye, which can be used to create patterns and designs on the fabric. However, some people opt to submerge their suit in dye and leave it to set.

The Bottom Line

White spots on swimsuits happen, and that’s completely fine because we have all of the solutions above! Not only can you prevent white spots from happening in the first place (usually), but you can most likely get rid of them if they’ve already happened. So, don’t toss your swimsuit out just yet, and give some of the swimsuit white spot-removing methods above a go first!

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