Even though they get wet most of the time we wear them, bathing suits still need to be washed regularly. Washing bathing suits help to remove any residue on them and keeps them in the best shape possible. But how should you wash a bathing suit properly? The answer may surprise you.
The best way to wash a bathing suit is to wash it by hand to keep it from stretching or becoming damaged. However, you can also wash bathing suits in the washing machine by placing them in a laundry bag and washing them on a gentle cycle. You can also add some baking soda to the wash to remove stains.
In this article, I’ll explain how to wash bathing suits properly, including how often they should be washed. I’ll also explain the best methods to use and what the best detergents to use are. Finally, I’ll explain how to dry and store bathing suits. These things will help keep your bathing suits in the best condition possible.
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Should Bathing Suits Be Washed?
Bathing suits should be washed just like everything else you wear. Even though the purpose of bathing suits is to get wet, water alone isn’t sufficient to clean them. Whether swimming in a swimming pool or a natural body of water, your bathing suit gets exposed to elements such as chlorine, bacteria, and algae.
Chlorine can cause the colors in your bathing suit to fade and weaken over time. Bacteria that is left on your bathing suit can make you sick. If you go from swimming in a lake or river into a pool without washing the bathing suit, you can also transfer bacteria and algae to the pool water. This can throw off the pH balance and water quality of the pool. For these reasons, it’s important to wash your bathing suit every time you swim, regardless of where you swim.
If you don’t get your bathing suit wet when you wear it, washing it may not be necessary. However, it’s a good idea to wash a bathing suit after every three wears, even if you don’t get it wet, because the natural oils on your body can cause the fibers to weaken over time if you don’t wash the bathing suit. You may also need to wash it more frequently if you get sunscreen, tanning lotion, or any other skincare product on your bathing suit.
Can Bathing Suits Be Washed in the Washing Machine?
The best way to wash a bathing suit is to wash it by hand, especially if the suit has embellishments or anything on it. However, you can wash bathing suits in the washing machine as long as you do so correctly.
You just want to be careful washing bathing suits in the washing machine to prevent damage. Any embellishments on the bathing suit may come off in the washing machine, such as sequins, for example. But, for bathing suits with strings, the strings can also get tangled around the agitator in the center of the washing machine drum. This can stretch and damage your bathing suit.
But don’t worry. If you still prefer to wash your bathing suit in the washing machine or don’t have time to hand wash it, I’ll explain how to do so properly.
How to Wash Bathing Suits
By Hand
The best way to wash a bathing suit is always by hand. This will help to keep your bathing suit in the best shape possible. Washing by hand is also gentler than washing the bathing suit in the washing machine.
The first thing you want to do is rinse the bathing suit out. Even if you don’t wash it fully, you want to at least rinse it out after each wear to remove oils and residue. If you’re going to wash it fully, fill a sink or washtub with water and let the bathing suit soak for 30 minutes instead of rinsing it out.
Water alone isn’t enough to get the bathing suit completely clean. So next, you’ll need to drain the water and replace it with clean water. Add a small amount of gentle laundry detergent (about 1 teaspoon). Let the bathing suit soak in the water and laundry detergent for a few minutes, then swish it and rinse it out.
Gently squeeze out the excess water from the suit. Be careful not to squeeze too hard or wring out the bathing suit. This can cause the suit to stretch out. After washing your bathing suit by hand, let the suit air dry by laying it flat.
Machine Wash
Using a washing machine to wash a bathing suit is not preferred. But, it is the most convenient way, especially if you have to wash the bathing suit every time you wear it. Since the washing machine is more likely to cause damage, you’ll want to take extra care.
The first thing you’ll want to do is to place the bathing suit in a mesh laundry bag. This will prevent the strings from getting caught on something in the washing machine. It will also help preserve any embellishments on the bathing suit.
Next, add a gentle detergent that is free of bleach. You don’t need that much detergent if you’re only washing one or two bathing suits. It’s also a good idea to use cold water, as water that is too warm can damage the fibers that make up a bathing suit (usually spandex).
Make sure to also use the gentle or delicate cycle when washing bathing suits in the washing machine. After washing, lay the bathing suit flat so that it can air dry.
Washing Bathing Suits In Baking Soda
You can wash your bathing suit in one of the above ways. But whether you wash it by hand or wash it in the washing machine, it’s a good idea to add a little baking soda to the wash. Bleach can’t be used on bathing suits because it can damage the fibers, so baking soda is a good and safe alternative.
Washing bathing suits with baking soda has many benefits. It can help to brighten and freshen your bathing suit, as well as remove odors and stains. To remove stains:
- Add 6 tablespoons of baking soda to ⅓ cup warm water and create a paste.
- Put the paste on the stain, and let it sit on the stain until it dries.
- Rinse it out before washing it.
If hand-washing, just add a ½ cup of baking soda to the water when you soak the bathing suit.
If you’re washing the bathing suit in the washing machine, add ½ cup of baking soda directly into the washing machine and let the bathing suit wash as normal.
Can You Wash Swimsuits With Clothes?
You can wash swimsuits with other clothes, but you’ll want to be careful when doing this. It’s a good idea to rinse out the bathing suit first to remove any residue that may still be on it, even if you wash the bathing suit in the washing machine. This will help keep chlorine or bacteria off of your other clothes.
You’ll also want to make sure to put the bathing suit inside a laundry bag before washing it. You don’t want the strings or straps of your bathing suit to get wrapped around the other clothes. This could damage both the bathing suit and the clothes.
Finally, make sure that everything is being washed on a gentle cycle with cool water and gentle detergent. You want to protect your bathing suit while washing it with other clothes. If you don’t think those settings will get your other clothes clean, it’s best to wash your bathing suit and other clothes separately.
Best Swimsuit Detergent
The best detergent for washing swimsuits is a mild or gentle detergent. There are mild detergents that are specifically made for swimsuits. Some of these detergents even contain ingredients that help to neutralize chlorine. Chlorine can cause your bathing suit to fade over time, so you want to neutralize it as much as possible.
One such example is Suit Solutionswhich is a detergent and chlorine neutralizer. You just add a little bit to a tub of water and swish your bathing suit around in it. Your bathing suit will be cleaned gently and the chlorine will be neutralized. This detergent will also make your bathing suit smell fresh.
There are other detergent options similar to the one mentioned above. But, you can also use a gentle laundry detergent if you’re in a pinch. It just might not contain the ingredients to neutralize chlorine.
Can You Put Bathing Suits in the Dryer?
After washing your bathing suits, you may be tempted to put them in the dryer. However, it is not a good idea to do so. The heat and tumbling action can weaken the fibers and damage your bathing suit or cause it to become misshapen.
This is mainly because many bathing suits are made of spandex, a synthetic fiber easily damaged by heat. When drying bathing suits, it’s best to lay them flat to dry. Don’t hang them up, as this can cause the suit to stretch.
How to Store a Bathing Suit
Knowing how to store a bathing suit, especially when it’s not going to be in use for a while, is just as important as knowing how to wash it properly. After washing and drying your bathing suit, make sure that you don’t hang it up in a closet or anywhere else because it can stretch.
Instead, you want to store the bathing suit in a drawer or a bin so it is flat. Keep it in a cool, dry area away from sources of moisture. You also want to make sure that it is completely dry before storing it. If the bathing suit is wet and is placed in a warm area, it may cause mildew growth.
What Is The Best Way To Wash Bathing Suits?
Hopefully, this article taught you how to wash your bathing suit properly. It’s a good idea to wash your bathing suit each time it gets wet. The best way to wash a bathing suit is to wash it by hand, using a detergent that is made for swimwear. But, you can also wash it in the washing machine as long as you place it in a laundry bag first and use the gentle cycle and gentle detergent. If you found this article helpful, share it with others and leave a comment. Thanks for reading!