How to Wash and Store Swimwear to Prevent Damage

By Lolë - Live Out Loud Everyday | Published: 2026-09-16

Category: Tips & Care

A simple rinse-and-dry routine plus smart swimwear storage habits that prevent swimsuit damage and help you extend swimsuit life season after season.

Quick answer

Rinse your swimsuit in cool fresh water as soon as you leave the water, wash it gently with a mild soap when needed, and dry it flat in the shade. Never leave it balled up in a wet towel or bag. Store it clean, fully dry, and folded flat so it keeps its shape until the next swim.

Swimwear takes more abuse than almost anything else in your closet. Chlorine, salt, sunscreen, hot tubs, and even the way you toss a wet suit into your bag all shorten its life. Most damage happens between swims, not during them.

The good news is that prevention takes only a few minutes. This guide walks through the exact steps to wash, dry, and store your swimwear so it keeps its fit, color, and stretch for many seasons instead of one.

Why swimwear breaks down so fast

Swim fabric is built to stretch and recover, but chlorine, salt, and sunscreen residue slowly weaken those fibers. Heat and sunlight speed up the process, fading color and making fabric feel thin or loose. The biggest culprit, though, is time: the longer a wet suit sits in a bag or towel, the more the damage sets in.

That is why the rinse-and-dry habit matters more than any specialty product. You do not need a separate swimsuit wash for every wear. Cool water and a gentle hand wash handle most of it, and a proper dry keeps the shape intact.

Rinse within an hour of swimming whenever possible.
Keep swimwear out of hot cars and direct sun when wet.
Skip the washing machine unless the care label explicitly allows it.

What you need before you start

You probably already have everything: a sink or basin, cool water, and a mild liquid soap. A clean towel for blotting and a flat drying spot out of direct sun complete the kit. If you use a swim-specific wash, follow its label rather than guessing at the amount.

Avoid wool wash, fabric softener, and anything with bleach or heavy fragrance. Softener leaves a coating that traps residue and reduces stretch, which is the opposite of what you want.

Cool water, not warm or hot.
Mild soap or a dedicated swim wash.
A clean, light-colored towel for blotting.

Your step-by-step swimwear care routine

Rinse immediately after every swim: Step into a shower or fill a sink with cool water and work the suit gently with your hands for 30 to 60 seconds. This removes most chlorine, salt, and sunscreen before it can set into the fibers. Checkpoint: if the water still smells like chlorine when you wring the suit, rinse once more.
Wash with a mild soap when needed: Add a drop of mild liquid soap or swim wash to cool water and squeeze the suit gently. Do not scrub, twist, or wring it hard. Rinse thoroughly until no suds remain. Mistake to avoid: using hot water or fabric softener, which dulls color and breaks down stretch.
Blot, do not wring: Lay the suit flat on a clean towel, roll the towel up, and press down to lift excess water. Wringing twists the fabric and can stretch it out of shape. Checkpoint: the suit should feel damp, not dripping, before you move to drying.
Dry flat in the shade: Lay the suit flat on a drying rack or clean towel away from direct sun and heat. If you hang it, use a padded hanger and avoid stretching the straps. Mistake to avoid: drying on a radiator or in a hot dryer, which fades color and weakens elastic.
Store clean and fully dry: Once the suit is completely dry, fold it flat and place it in a drawer or breathable bag. Never store it damp, and never leave it sealed in a plastic bag for long periods. Checkpoint: if you can feel any coolness or dampness, give it more drying time before storing.
Rotate your suits and check them seasonally: Alternating between two suits gives each one time to fully recover its shape. At the start of each season, check straps, seams, and lining for thinning or loose threads. Next step: retire any suit with stretched-out straps or see-through fabric before it fails mid-swim.

Lolë pieces that pair with a good swim routine

Iglow Yoga Mat: The Iglow Yoga Mat delivers super grip in both wet and dry conditions. If you rinse your suit at the gym or studio, a mat that stays grippy when damp means your post-swim stretching does not turn into a slip hazard.
Dynamic Hoodie: Crafted from a merino wool blend that is soft to the touch and naturally breathable. A breathable layer over damp skin helps you dry off comfortably after a rinse without trapping moisture the way a heavy cotton sweatshirt can.

A two-minute rinse and a flat, shaded dry do more for your swimwear than any specialty product. Build the habit now, store each suit clean and dry, and you will get more seasons, better fit, and fewer replacements out of every piece you own.