How to Care for Crinkle Fabric Swimwear So It Lasts
By Form and Fold | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: Tips & Care
Learn how to care for crinkle swimwear with a simple rinse, wash, and dry routine that protects the texture and shape all season.
Quick answer
Rinse your crinkle swimwear in cool water immediately after every swim, hand wash it with a gentle detergent, and lay it flat to dry away from direct sun. Skip the washing machine, the dryer, and hot water—they flatten the texture and break down the stretch that gives sculpting fabrics their shape.
Why crinkle fabric needs a different routine
Crinkle swim fabric gets its texture from a heat-set finish applied during manufacturing. That finish is what creates the small, irregular ridges you see and feel. Chlorine, salt, sunscreen, and high heat all work against it. Over time, the ridges relax and the fabric can start to look flat or shiny in patches.
The same recycled sculpting fabric that shapes and tones your curves also contains elastane, which is sensitive to heat and harsh chemicals. Once elastane loses its snap, the garment won't hug or lift the way it did when new. The fix isn't complicated, but it does require consistency.
What to avoid (and why it matters)
Washing machines are the fastest way to ruin crinkle swimwear. The agitation pulls at the fabric, and the spin cycle can stretch seams and distort the textured surface. Even a gentle cycle puts stress on underwire, adjustable straps, and powermesh panels.
Hot water and high-heat drying are equally damaging. Heat breaks down elastane and can melt or flatten the crinkle finish. Fabric softener and dryer sheets leave a coating that traps oils and reduces the fabric's ability to recover its shape. Bleach and harsh stain removers can also weaken fibers and fade color.
How to spot clean without washing the whole suit
For small marks—sunscreen smudges, deodorant, or a spot of food—you don't need a full wash. Mix a drop of gentle liquid detergent with cool water, dab it onto the area with a soft cloth, and rinse thoroughly. Avoid rubbing, which can abrade the crinkle texture.
If the mark is stubborn, let the detergent sit for a minute or two, then rinse. Never scrub with a brush or nail. For oil-based stains, a tiny amount of dish soap can work, but rinse it out completely so it doesn't linger in the fabric.
Your step-by-step crinkle swimwear care routine
- Rinse immediately after every swim: As soon as you leave the water, rinse your suit in cool running water. This removes chlorine, salt, and sunscreen before they can set into the fibers. If you can't rinse right away, at least soak it in a sink or bucket of cool water for a few minutes when you get home. Checkpoint: the water should run clear. If it's still cloudy, keep rinsing.
- Hand wash with a gentle detergent: Fill a clean sink or basin with cool water and add a capful of gentle liquid detergent made for delicates or swimwear. Submerge the suit and gently squeeze the water through the fabric. Do not scrub, twist, or wring. Let it soak for up to 10 minutes if needed. Common mistake: using regular laundry detergent or fabric softener. Both leave residue that can break down stretch fibers.
- Rinse thoroughly in cool water: Drain the soapy water and refill with cool water. Gently squeeze the suit to work clean water through it. Repeat until no suds remain. Detergent residue can attract dirt and irritate sensitive skin. Checkpoint: the water should be completely clear with no slippery feel.
- Remove excess water without wringing: Lay the suit flat on a clean, dry towel. Roll the towel up with the suit inside and press down gently to absorb excess water. Never twist or wring the fabric, as this can stretch seams and distort underwire or powermesh. Common mistake: wringing or twisting. That's how straps stretch out and cups lose their shape.
- Air dry flat away from direct sun: Unroll the towel and lay the suit flat on a drying rack or a fresh towel. Shape it with your hands so it dries in its natural form. Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from radiators, which can fade color and degrade elastane. Checkpoint: the suit should be completely dry before you store it. Damp storage encourages mildew.
- Store folded, not hung: Once dry, store your crinkle swimwear folded in a drawer or on a shelf. Hanging can stretch straps and distort the shape over time. Keep it away from rough surfaces or hooks that can snag the texture. Common mistake: hanging wet or damp suits by the straps. Always dry first, then store flat.
Product facts that affect care
- The Rise Bone Crinkle Bottom: Made from recycled sculpting fabric with a seamless flat finish and fully lined with second skin lining. The sculpting fabric is designed to shape and tone, so preserving its stretch with cool rinses and flat drying keeps that support intact. The seamless finish can be damaged by rough handling, so hand washing is safer.
- The Line Bone Crinkle Top: Features underwire for D-G cups, hidden powermesh cups, and adjustable straps and back band. Underwire and powermesh are structured elements that can bend or warp in a washing machine. Adjustable hardware should be fastened before washing to prevent snags.
- The Crop Black Top Archive: Includes a hidden inbuilt underwire bra, powermesh sling, and bagged out seams for a flat finish. The hidden underwire and powermesh sling need gentle handling to keep their shape. Bagged out seams are flat and comfortable but can pucker if twisted or wrung out aggressively.
