Washing swimwear properly starts with the care label: It provides information about the material, washing method, and maximum temperature. If no specific instructions are given, wash your swimsuit or bikini by hand or on a delicate cycle in a laundry bag at a maximum of 30 degrees. Cold to lukewarm water and a gentle approach protect elastane and decorative details from premature wear.
Washing swimwear properly: What the material and care label specify
If you want to wash swimwear properly, always start with the care label and the material information. Both will tell you how warm the water can be, whether a machine is suitable, and how gently you should proceed. The information varies from model to model, so it is worth taking a quick look at the label before every wash.
Polyamide, polyester, and elastane: Which materials are particularly sensitive
Most swimsuits, bikinis, and surf suits are made of polyamide or polyester, combined with elastane for stretch. Elastane is the most sensitive component: heat, chlorine, sunscreen, and harsh detergents cause the fine fibers to wear out over time. The result is stretched-out straps, a wider leg opening, or fabric that no longer snaps back well.
- Polyamide feels soft and dries quickly, but is sensitive to chlorine and heat.
- Polyester is usually shape-retaining and colorfast, but can strongly retain oils from sunscreen.
- Elastane provides fit and freedom of movement, but loses its elasticity due to heat and friction.
Recycled fibers generally require the same care as their new counterparts. However, the exact material blend and properties vary by model, which is why the information on the label or product page is crucial. Decorative details such as buckles, rings, or trim deserve extra care, as they can rub against the fabric or get caught during washing.
Read the care symbols and determine the washing temperature and method from them
The washing tub symbol shows you the method and the maximum temperature. For swimwear, you will usually encounter these options:
- Tub with a hand: Hand wash only; the machine is forbidden.
- Tub with a number (e.g. 30): Maximum washing temperature in degrees Celsius.
- Tub with one bar underneath: Delicate cycle with reduced mechanical action.
- Tub with two bars: Extra delicate cycle for very sensitive textiles.
- Crossed-out triangle: Do not use bleach.
- Crossed-out dryer: Do not tumble dry.
As a practical rule of thumb: If no specific instructions are given, choose lukewarm to cold water (maximum 30 degrees) and wash by hand or on a delicate cycle in a laundry bag. This is a safe choice for most swimwear models. The label is often sewn into the side seam or waistband and is printed in small letters on swimwear, so look carefully.
Remember: The care label of your model always takes precedence over general tips. Keep the information if the label becomes unreadable over time.
After swimming: Gently remove chlorine, salt water, and sunscreen
If you want to wash swimwear properly, start immediately after swimming: Rinse chlorine, salt, and sunscreen out as quickly as possible with clean, cool water. They attack the elastic fibers as long as they remain in the fabric. The sooner you remove them, the less the subsequent wash will have to do.
Rinse swimsuits or swim trunks immediately and protect from heat
A quick rinse under cold to lukewarm fresh water is enough to remove most of the chlorine and salt. Hold the garment under running water for a few seconds and gently squeeze it out without wringing or rubbing. On vacation, this works at the beach shower, in the pool shower, or at home in the sink.
- Rinse swimwear within a few hours after swimming if possible.
- Do not use hot water, as heat stresses elastane and can change the fit.
- Do not leave wet swimwear crumpled in your beach bag. Moisture, heat, and sunscreen promote stains, odors, and color transfer.
- Place the garment in a separate, airy bag while out and about so it does not bleed onto other textiles.
The same applies when sunbathing: Do not sit on hot stones, wooden decks, or rough pool edges with wet swimwear. Friction can roughen the fabric, and heat adds to the damage. A towel as a base protects your favorite piece.
Pre-treat stains from sunscreen, oil, and sweat according to the material
Sunscreen and oil stains are best removed if you pre-treat them fresh with lukewarm water and a mild delicate detergent or mild soap. Oily residues are often only visible as yellowish or darker spots after drying. Therefore, check the shoulder straps, waistband, back, and chest area, where cream and sweat most frequently penetrate.
- Rinse the garment with cold water first.
- Apply a drop of mild delicate detergent directly to the stain.
- Gently massage it in with your fingertips without scrubbing with a brush.
- Let it work for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly and then wash the garment as indicated on the care label.
For sweat, washing in lukewarm water is usually enough, as the odor is mainly caused by damp residues remaining in the fabric. Avoid bleach, chlorine cleaners, and harsh stain removers, as they can fade colors and weaken the fibers. Test every product on an inconspicuous area first, such as an inside seam.
If a stain has set after drying, repeat the pre-treatment instead of washing the garment at a higher temperature. Heat can fix oil and cream residues in the fabric.
Hand washing or machine washing: Which method best protects swimwear
Hand washing is the gentlest method for properly washing swimwear. Machine washing on a delicate cycle is possible, however, if the care label allows it and you wash the items in a laundry bag. If your swimwear has already undergone an initial rinse after swimming, it is now time for a thorough cleaning.
Hand washing step by step: Soak, move gently and rinse thoroughly
Hand washing puts the least amount of stress on fibers and elastane because no friction pressure or centrifugal force is applied to the fabric. This is particularly worthwhile for items with details such as decorative buckles, straps, or cutouts, which can easily become misshapen.
- Fill a sink with cold to lukewarm water (about 20 to a maximum of 30 °C).
- Add a small amount of delicate detergent and distribute it in the water before placing the swimwear inside.
- Let the item soak for 10 to 15 minutes. This dissolves salt, chlorine residues, sunscreen, and sweat.
- Move the fabric gently in the water and press it lightly. Do not rub, wring, or twist forcefully.
- Rinse the swimwear under cool, running water until no soap residue can be felt.
- Carefully press the water out, preferably between two hands or in a terry cloth.
For stubborn areas such as sunscreen stains around straps or cutouts, you can apply a small amount of detergent directly to the fabric and massage it in with your fingertips. A brush is out of the question, as it roughens the surface.
Setting the machine wash correctly: Laundry bag, delicate cycle, and low spin speed
Machine washing works if the care label expressly allows it and you observe three things: a laundry bag, a delicate cycle, and a low spin speed. This combination protects against pulling, friction, and overstretched fibers.
- Laundry bag: Place each item in a fine-mesh bag or laundry bag. This prevents hooks, buckles, and straps from snagging on other laundry or the drum.
- Program: Choose the delicate or fine wash cycle with cold water, at most 30 °C.
- Spinning: Set the speed to a maximum of 400 to 600 revolutions per minute or skip spinning altogether.
- Loading: Do not wash swimwear together with jeans, towels, or clothing with zippers and Velcro fasteners.
- Colors: Wash light and dark or heavily patterned items separately, especially the first time.
Take the swimwear out of the machine immediately after the cycle ends. If it remains damp in the drum, odors and color transfer can occur. Especially with bikini sets, it is worth washing the top and bottom together in the same bag so that the colors do not develop differently.
When in doubt: Hand washing is always a safe choice. The machine is a practical alternative, provided the care label on your item allows it.
Detergent and temperature: How to avoid stretched fibers and color loss
For swimwear, a mild delicate detergent in a small dose is suitable, combined with cold to lukewarm water. Whether you wash by hand or in the machine: The right choice of detergent and temperature protects the elastic fibers and colors.
Dosing delicate detergent correctly and avoiding fabric softener and bleach
Use a mild delicate detergent or a special detergent for sportswear and dose sparingly. Too much detergent is difficult to rinse out of dense, elastic fabrics. Residues can make the fabric stiff and promote skin irritation.
As a rule of thumb:
- Hand washing: a small squirt of delicate detergent in a sink with water is usually sufficient.
- Machine: follow the dosing instructions for lightly soiled laundry and use slightly less for a small load.
- Liquid detergents generally dissolve better in cool water than powder.
You should avoid fabric softener. It can leave a film on the fibers that can impair elasticity and drying performance. Bleach and oxygen-based stain removers are also not a good idea: They can bleach colors and damage the fibers.
Tip: If you have a new, dark, or brightly colored item, wash it separately the first few times. This prevents it from bleeding onto light-colored clothing.
Why cold or lukewarm water is usually better than hot washing
Cold to lukewarm water protects elastane and colors. Heat can weaken elastic fibers, causing swimwear to lose its shape, stretch out, or no longer fit properly over time. In addition, color pigments dissolve more easily in hot water, which can lead to faded colors.
As a guide:
| Water temperature | Suitability for swimwear |
|---|---|
| Cold (approx. 15–20 °C) | Good, especially for bright colors |
| Lukewarm (max. 30 °C) | Usually no problem |
| Hot (40 °C and above) | Only if the label allows it, otherwise avoid |
You will always find the definitive information on the care label of your garment. Cold water is usually sufficient, as sunscreen, sweat and salt can also be removed with a mild detergent and a little patience without heat. For stubborn stains, it is more effective to soak the garment for a little longer than to increase the temperature.
Drying and storing swimwear properly so it stays beautiful for longer
After washing, how you dry your swimwear determines whether it retains its shape and elasticity. It is best to gently press out the water, lay the garment flat in a shaded, well-ventilated place and avoid heat. This keeps the fibres intact and allows you to wear your swimwear for many seasons.
Press out the water, dry flat in the shade and avoid direct heat
Wringing stretches the elastic fibres and can strain the seams. Instead, carefully press out the water: fold the wet garment and gently press it together. For the rest, roll it in a clean, dry terry towel or Turkish towel and press lightly on it. The towel absorbs a lot of moisture without you having to pull on the fabric.
The best way to dry it is as follows:
- Lay the garment flat on a dry towel or a drying rack with a mesh insert.
- Choose a shaded, well-ventilated place, such as a shaded balcony or an airy room.
- Turn the garment over after a few hours so that thicker areas such as cups, hems and cuffs can also dry.
- Do not hang heavy, wet swimsuits by the straps, as the weight of the water can stretch them.
Most swimwear materials do not tolerate direct heat and strong sunlight well. Tumble dryers, radiators, hair dryers and the midday sun can weaken the elastane fibres and cause colours to fade. If in doubt, follow the care label of your garment, as the instructions vary depending on the material and model.
Let swimwear dry completely and store it properly
Swimwear should be completely dry before you put it away. Residual moisture in cups, linings and seams promotes musty odours and can lead to mildew. Check lined areas and the gusset area with your hand in particular before putting the garment in the wardrobe.
These habits have proven effective for storage:
- Lay swimwear loosely and flat in a drawer or compartment instead of squeezing it tightly.
- Do not fold bikini tops with cups into each other, so that they retain their shape.
- Store them separately from rough fabrics, zips or Velcro fasteners that can pull threads.
- Use a breathable fabric bag instead of an airtight plastic bag for travel.
Tip: If you have to pack wet swimwear at the beach or while travelling, take it out again as soon as possible at home or in the hotel and let it dry properly.
Outside the season, store clean, completely dry swimwear in a cool, dry and dark place. If you alternate between several pieces, each will have enough time between uses to recover. This also helps preserve elasticity.
Frequently asked questions about washing and caring for swimwear
How often should swimwear be washed?
Rinse swimwear with clean, cool water after every wear. It is best to give it a proper wash with mild detergent after about three to five wears. After a day in chlorinated water, in the sea or with a lot of sunscreen and sweat, you can also wash it sooner.
If you wear your favourite piece every day on holiday, it is best to alternate between two pieces. This gives each piece enough time to dry completely and regain its shape. This protects the material and helps prevent odours.
Can swimwear go in the tumble dryer or on a radiator?
No, neither tumble dryers nor radiators are recommended. Heat can weaken elastic fibres. The swimwear will then lose its elasticity, and colours may fade. Seams and inserts can also suffer.
- Gently press out the water without wringing.
- Roll the garment briefly in a towel to absorb residual moisture.
- Lay it flat in an airy, shaded place.
Direct sunlight and radiator heat are also not ideal. Swimwear usually dries quickly enough in the shade because the materials absorb very little water.
How do you remove sunscreen stains from a swimsuit?
It is best to treat sunscreen stains as soon as possible and with mild products. Fresh stains are usually easier to remove than dried ones. You should avoid bleach and harsh stain removers, as they can damage colours and fibres.
- First, rinse the stain with cool water.
- Apply a few drops of mild delicate detergent or some Marseille soap directly to the area.
- Gently rub the fabric together with your fingers without scrubbing.
- Leave the product on for about 15 to 30 minutes.
- Then wash the garment as usual by hand or in a laundry bag.
Check before washing whether the stain has disappeared and repeat the treatment if necessary. It only makes sense to dry it once nothing is visible anymore, as heat can set residues. Always follow the care label of your garment.
What helps if swimwear has stretched out or retains a chlorine smell?
Stretched fibers cannot always be completely restored, but the fit often improves slightly. It is usually due to heat, friction, fabric softener, or sunscreen residues. If the elastic or fabric has permanently lost its shape, the material has reached the end of its lifespan.
Thorough soaking in lukewarm or cool water, preferably with a little delicate detergent, helps remove chlorine smell. Then rinse thoroughly until no more suds form. Alternatively, you can add a dash of white vinegar to the soaking water and rinse thoroughly afterwards. Test the remedy on an inconspicuous area first. Then let it dry flat in the shade again.
Prevention works best by consistently rinsing immediately after swimming. This gives chlorine, salt, and sunscreen residues less time to settle into the fabric.
First, check the care label and material information. If no more specific instructions are provided, wash the swimwear by hand or on a delicate cycle in a laundry bag.
Unless otherwise stated on the care label, lukewarm to cold water at a maximum of 30 degrees is a safe choice.
Heat, chlorine, and harsh detergents can weaken elastane fibers. This can cause swimwear to stretch out and lose its shape.
