Swimwear Care FAQ: How to Wash, Dry, and Store Your Swimsuit

Quick Answer

Rinse your swimsuit in cool water immediately after every wear, wash it by hand with a mild detergent, and lay it flat to dry away from direct sun. Store it folded flat, not on a hanger, and never seal it in a plastic bag while damp.

Most swimwear damage happens after you leave the water, not in it. Chlorine, salt, sunscreen, and the way you dry and store a suit decide whether it keeps its shape and color or starts to sag by August.

Below are the questions we hear most often about swimwear care, answered directly. If you own a limited-edition piece, the storage and drying answers matter even more, because those styles will not be restocked.

How should I wash a swimsuit after wearing it?

Rinse it in cool water as soon as you can, ideally before you leave the beach or pool. If you cannot rinse immediately, at least soak it in cool water once you get home. Then wash by hand with a small amount of mild detergent, gently squeezing the water through the fabric rather than scrubbing it.

Skip the washing machine and the dryer. The agitation and heat break down elastic fibers and can dull metallic or textured finishes. If you must use a machine, put the suit in a mesh bag on a delicate cycle with cold water, but hand washing remains the safer default for anything with an underwire or structured seams.

• Use cool water, never hot.
• Squeeze gently; do not wring or twist.
• Rinse until the water runs clear of soap.

How do I dry a swimsuit without stretching it?

Lay it flat on a clean towel, reshape the cups and seams with your hands, and let it air dry in the shade. Hanging a wet swimsuit by its straps concentrates the weight of the water in one spot and stretches them out over time, so flat drying protects the fit.

Avoid direct sunlight for long periods, which fades color, and never put a swimsuit in a dryer. If you need it dry faster, roll it in a dry towel and press down to absorb excess water before laying it flat.

• Dry in shade, not full sun.
• Reshape cups and seams while damp.
• Never tumble dry.

Can I leave a wet swimsuit in a bag or towel?

No. Leaving a damp swimsuit rolled in a towel or sealed in a bag traps moisture, which encourages odor, mildew, and breakdown of the lining. If you have to transport it wet, use a waterproof bag with a little airflow, then rinse and dry it properly as soon as you can.

This matters most for fully lined styles, because the second-skin lining holds moisture close to the fabric. A quick rinse and a flat dry after every wear is the simplest habit that keeps a suit wearable for seasons.

• Never store damp.
• Use a breathable or mesh bag for transport.
• Rinse and dry within a few hours.

How should I store swimwear in the off-season?

Make sure the suit is completely dry, then fold it flat and store it in a drawer or a breathable cotton bag. Hanging swimwear for months on end puts stress on straps and can leave shoulder marks in the fabric, so flat storage is better for both fit and shape.

Keep it away from direct sunlight, heat, and heavy objects that could press creases into structured cups. If you own a limited-edition piece, storing it flat also makes it easier to see what you have and rotate it into wear next season.

• Fold flat, do not hang long term.
• Store in a cool, dark, dry place.
• Keep structured cups from being crushed.

Do limited-edition swimwear pieces need different care?

The care steps are the same, but the stakes are higher. Limited-edition styles will not be restocked, so a preventable fade or stretch means you cannot simply replace the piece. Treat these suits with the same rinse-and-flat-dry routine every single wear.

That applies to textured recycled fabrics and metallic knits alike. Both respond well to cool hand washing and shade drying, and both suffer when exposed to hot water, harsh detergent, or a hot dryer.

• Rinse immediately after every wear.
• Use mild detergent only.
• Dry flat in shade to protect color and shape.

Swimwear Care FAQ: Quick Reference

How often should I wash my swimsuit?

Rinse after every wear and wash with mild detergent after every two to three wears, or immediately after heavy sunscreen or chlorine exposure. Rinse today, wash soon.

Can I use regular laundry detergent?

Use a mild, gentle detergent. Harsh detergents and fabric softeners can break down elastic and leave residue that dulls metallic or textured fabrics. Mild soap only.

Is it okay to hang my swimsuit to dry?

Lay it flat to dry in the shade. Hanging by the straps stretches them and can distort the fit over time. Flat and shaded.

How do I store a swimsuit for winter?

Make sure it is completely dry, fold it flat, and store it in a breathable bag or drawer away from heat and sunlight. Dry, flat, dark, and cool.

Care Notes for Specific Form and Fold Styles

• The 90s Rise Black Bottom: Made with recycled sculpting fabric, comfortable flat elastic, and fully lined with second skin lining. The sculpting fabric and flat elastic hold their shape best when you hand wash in cool water and dry flat, so the seamless finish stays smooth.
• The Wirefree Glow Top: Features metallic knit fabric, a wirefree underband, and bagged out seams for a flat finish. Metallic knits can dull with heat and harsh detergent, so cool hand washing and shade drying protect the finish and the underband support.
• The Tilt L'Art Blue: Includes a hidden in-built underwire bra and non-padded cups with powermesh sling. Structured underwire styles should never go in a dryer; reshape the cups by hand while damp and dry flat so the wire and sling keep their shape.
• The Sarong Cactus: Made in a lightweight rayon silk blend with clean finished edges. Silk blends are delicate, so hand wash separately in cool water and dry flat away from sun to avoid pulling the finished edges.

Good swimwear care is mostly about what you do in the first ten minutes after a swim: rinse, wash gently, dry flat, and store dry. Those four habits protect the fit and finish of every suit, including the limited-edition pieces you will not be able to replace.