Quick answer
Rinse your swimsuit in cool water within 30 minutes of swimming, then hand wash it with a mild detergent and lay it flat to dry. The rinse is the step that matters most: it removes chlorine and salt before they can break down the elastane that gives your swimsuit its stretch.
Why swimsuit elastic fails before the fabric does
Elastane is what lets a swimsuit stretch and snap back. Chlorine, salt, sunscreen oils, and hot water all attack it, and once the fibers lose their rebound, the suit sags even if the outer fabric still looks fine. That is why a suit can seem perfectly intact yet feel loose after a season of pool days. Rinsing and washing promptly removes the residue that does the damage, while heat and rough handling speed up the breakdown you are trying to prevent.
What to keep out of your swimwear routine
Skip the washing machine, the dryer, and anything labeled bleach or fabric softener. Agitation stretches wet fibers, heat sets wrinkles and weakens elastane, and softener leaves a coating that traps oils. If you use a swimsuit spinner, treat it as a drying aid only, not a wash cycle.
Your step-by-step swimsuit wash routine
- Rinse immediately after every swim: Take the suit off and rinse it in cool water before it dries. This removes chlorine, salt, and sunscreen residue while it is still loose in the fibers. If you are away from a shower, rinse it in a sink or a bottle of fresh water. Checkpoint: if the suit smells like chlorine or feels slick, it needs another rinse.
- Hand wash with a mild detergent: Fill a basin with cool water and a small amount of gentle detergent, then squeeze the suds through the suit for about a minute. Do not scrub, wring, or twist; let the water do the work. Mistake to avoid: using regular laundry detergent or soap, which can leave residue that dulls the fabric.
- Rinse until the water runs clear: Drain the basin and refill with cool water, then press the suit gently until no suds remain. Any leftover detergent attracts oils and dirt that weaken elastic over time. Checkpoint: clear rinse water means the suit is clean.
- Remove excess water without wringing: Lay the suit flat on a clean towel, roll the towel up, and press down to absorb water. Never twist or wring the suit, because wet elastane stretches and does not fully recover. Mistake to avoid: hanging a wet suit by its straps, which can stretch them out of shape.
- Dry flat away from heat and sun: Lay the suit flat on a drying rack or a fresh towel in a shaded, ventilated spot. Direct sun and radiators both degrade elastane, and a hot car has the same effect. Checkpoint: the suit should feel dry to the touch before you store it.
- Store clean and separate: Once dry, fold the suit loosely and keep it away from rough zippers, hooks, and anything that can snag. A breathable pouch or a drawer works better than a sealed plastic bag, which can trap moisture. Mistake to avoid: storing a damp suit in a gym bag, where mildew and odor set in.
Fit details worth checking before you buy
- Jetsetter Bikini: The Jetsetter Bikini lists separate size charts for top and bottom: for size M, the top has a 29.1 in bust and 26.8 in underbust, while the bottom has a 9.4 in length and a 28.3-38.6 in waist range. A bikini that fits the bust but gaps at the waist will shift and stretch unevenly, so use both charts rather than one size number.
- Ocean Days One Piece: The Ocean Days One Piece is offered in sizes S through XL with color options, and the size M lists a 36.2 in bust, 30.7 in hip, and 24.8-37 in waist range. A one piece with a wide waist range can accommodate different torso lengths, but the bust and hip numbers tell you whether the suit will pull at the straps.
- Seas The Day: Seas The Day is available in 0XL through 4XL, with size 0XL listing a 35.4 in bust, 25.7 in sleeve, 14.4 in top length, and 28.3-43.3 in underbust. Extended sizing with a broad underbust range is useful if you are between sizes, but check the top length so the suit does not ride up when wet.
