Make sure that your swimsuit dries fully before putting it away, as any lingering moisture can cause odors and prematurely age fabrics. Unless your machine has a no-heat option (sometimes called “air fluff”), steer clear of the dryer—heat is damaging to the stretchy synthetics favored in swimwear.
Don't put a wet swimsuit in the dryer. This can shrink and damage the fabric. Drying a swimsuit in direct sunlight can fade the colors.
Lay a towel out, lay the swimsuit out on top of it, and then roll the towel up with the swimsuit inside it. Then wring out the towel. Then you could use a hand dryer, or hang dry it the rest of the way.
The dryer can be used in combination with any other method to increase the amount of swimsuit shrinkage you achieve. We all know by now that putting some clothes in the dryer makes them shrink—bathing suits are no different! Just be careful to always use the lowest setting to avoid over-shrinking or damaging the suit.
The quick answer is no: do not put suit jackets in the dryer. The heat of the dryer can cause irreversible damage to fabrics, such as shrinking and losing shape over time.
Picking a Suit You Can Wear in the Rain
Subjecting your good wool suit to heavy rain might not ruin it, but it won't do wonders for the fabric. Exposure to water—particularly repeated or prolonged exposure—will warp the fibers, causing them to expand, swell, and sag.
Don't machine wash, iron or tumble dry your wetsuit. Avoid chlorine and store your wetsuit on a suitable wide-shouldered hanger, or folded over the waist while drying.
You should avoid putting your swimwear in the dryer.
Note: All swimsuits stretch a bit when wet and no one wants to lose theirs coming up for air. A slightly firm, almost compressive fit on dry land is a good start. If it's barely holding on when it's dry, it will easily let go when it's wet, so a snug fit is best.
One of the most common questions we get is: Can you put a swimsuit in the washer? Simply put, yes. Bathing suits can be washed in a machine as long as they are treated like delicate garments and extra precautions are taken. However, be sure to check the label first to follow any specific care instructions.
Store Swimsuits in a Cool, Dry Place
If you can dedicate an entire drawer to your suits, that's great. If not, make sure the space you choose to keep them is dark, dry, cool, and has good airflow. Allowing the suits to breathe will prevent mildew - especially important if they get put away slightly damp.
Quick dry swimsuits are often made with fabrics such as polyamide or lycra which offer the advantage of drying very quickly. Fortunately the comfort of a quick dry swimsuit not not mean you have to compromise on style. Quick dry swimsuits are available in all shapes and colors as well as the trendiest prints!
The short answer is yes, you should wash your swimsuit after every use. However, you don't need to use intense products every time. Please always be certain to rinse everything off, including sand, saltwater, sweat, and more.
Think about the level of coverage and style you prefer. If you like a snug, body-hugging fit, sizing down slightly may work for you. However, if you prefer a more relaxed and comfortable fit, staying true to your size or sizing up might be better. If possible, it's always a good idea to try bikinis on in-store.
You'll need to be sure that your swimwear is made of lightweight material otherwise that combined with a tight wetsuit may limit your freedom of movement. The best thing might be to wear a pair of swimwear briefs or bikini bottoms and a sports bra underneath your neoprene wetsuit.
Place the suit into the dryer on the highest setting available. For optimum shrinkage, use the highest setting and the longest time that you can choose. Avoid drying the suit with a full load of laundry, as you want it to receive the highest blast of heat so that it can shrink down as much as possible.
Hang Dry. Unless the label says, you should avoid putting swimsuits in the dryer. This can shrink your suit faster than anything—although if you're trying to salvage a stretched-out suit, it might be a tactic to try!
To keep your tailored attire in pristine condition, it's advisable to avoid the dryer whenever possible. Air drying, steaming, and professional dry cleaning are safer alternatives that will help your suit maintain its shape, quality, and dapper appearance for years.
Yes, it's a good idea to wash new swimsuits before wearing them to remove any residue from manufacturing and to ensure they are clean before they touch your skin.
While hand washing inside-out is the most gentle method, most suits can be safely machine-washed on a delicate cycle. If you opt for the machine, take a cue from our bra washing experts and place suits that have bra cups or strappy designs in a mesh laundry bag to help maintain cup shape and keep straps from tangling.
Yes, wetsuits do shrink. They don't shrink because you put them in the washing machine or dryer (because you now know you shouldn't) but because they deteriorate over time. The neoprene material is made up out of little cells that are filled with air. When the suit ages, the cells can collapse.