Plus, learn when to wash swimsuits in the washing machine and when they need to be hand-washed.
Mineral-based lotions and oil formulations can cause yellowing or gradual stains over time if swimsuits are not washed properly.
Proceed with washing after the soak.
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Just be sure to wash your swimsuit in a timely manner.
Don’t soak a swimsuit overnight, which can loosen fibers.
Here’s how to do it.
One teaspoon of any detergent is enough to clean a single swimsuit.
Rinse the Suit
Refill the sink with cool, clean water to rinse the swimsuit.
Gently squeeze out the waterno wringing!
Add a circulating fan to speed drying.
Skip the dryer because high temperatures can permanently damage the fabric.
Pretreat Stains
Apply gentle detergent to areas prone to sunscreen stains.
Don’t toss it in with your beach towelthat’s a recipe for swimsuit damage.
Wash the swimsuit with similar types of synthetic fabrics.
Take the suit out of the wash and hang it to dry.
Don’t hang your swimsuit on a metal rod to dry.
Doing so can alter the shape or leave rust marks.
Toremove the mildew, soak the suit in a tub of dissolved baking soda and water.
(Try 1 part baking soda to 4 parts water.)
Let the suit sit for 30 minutes before moving on to hand-washing with a gentle liquid detergent.
The baking soda should help gently lift the set-in mildew odor without damaging the fabric.
Once everything is washed, rinse thoroughly and air dry in a well-ventilated, low-humidity environment.
If the suit still smells after drying, repeat the process or try soaking it in vinegar and water.
Also, avoid exposing the swimsuit to direct sunlight when you’re not wearing it.
High temperatures alone can damage the fabric of your swimsuit.
Lastly, don’t sit on rough surfaces while wearing a swimsuit, either.
The concrete beside the pool or the wood from the lounge chairs may snag the swimsuit material.
Always lay down abeach towelbefore you sit to protect the fabric from piling.
