Here’s how to wash swimsuits:
- 1. Separate your swimsuit from the rest of your laundry
- 2. Place your swimsuit in a mesh laundry bag
- 3. Use the coldest water possible
- 4. Use a gentle or delicate wash cycle
- 5. Lay your swimsuit flat to dry (never put it in the dryer)
Some clothes can be worn a few times before hitting the hamper. Swimsuits are not those clothes. Between chlorine, saltwater, sweat, sunscreen, and whatever’s floating around in the deep end of the hot tub, swimwear gets gross—fast. Even if you never get in the water, tight-fitting swimwear on a hot day soaks up body oils and SPF that won’t just rinse off on their own.
Bottom line: You should wash your swimsuit after every wear. But here’s the plot twist—swimsuits are delicate. They're made from stretchy, synthetic materials like nylon, polyester, spandex, and Lycra. Tossing them in with your regular laundry and blasting them on a hot cycle is a great way to turn your favorite bikini into a stretched-out, faded mess.
Below, we’ll show you how to actually wash your swimsuits in the machine—without destroying them in the process.
1. Separate Your Swimsuit from the Rest of Your Laundry
Step one: Keep your swimsuit out of your regular laundry. Swimwear can’t handle heat, heavy fabrics, or aggressive spin cycles. It needs to be washed with other delicates or on its own.
Why? Because swimsuit fabric (usually a combo of nylon and spandex) is built for swimming—not surviving chaos. Too much friction and heat will mess with the fibers and wear out the stretch.
PSA: Check out our ultimate guide to separating and sorting laundry.
2. Place Your Swimsuit in a Mesh Laundry Bag
Ever pulled a swimsuit out of the wash and wondered why one side is suddenly sagging? That’s what happens when it gets wrapped around a sleeve, tangled in straps, or snagged by a zipper mid-cycle.
Before tossing it in the wash, place your swimsuit into a mesh laundry bag. This creates a layer of protection, which helps reduce friction, snags, and shape distortion.
3. Use Cold Water
Warm water feels like the obvious choice for cleaning sweat and chlorine, but resist the urge. Cold water is where it’s at. It’s gentler on elastic fibers and helps prevent fading, shrinking, or dye bleeding—especially for bold prints or bright colors.
The good news: you don’t need hot water to get a deep clean.
Laundry Sauce pods are designed to work in cold water and still pack a powerful punch—bio-enzymes break down body oils, sunscreen, and pool chemicals without destroying your swimwear’s shape. Not to mention, our collection of signature fragrances make your swimsuit smell like a rooftop cabana, not a locker room.
4. Use the Delicate Cycle
Always select the delicate (or gentle) cycle when washing swimsuits. This setting uses slower spin speeds and minimal agitation, meaning it doesn’t beat the spandex out of your clothes.
This is especially important for pieces with ties, clasps, padding, or ruching. The delicate cycle helps maintain structure and elasticity, so your swimsuit still fits like it’s supposed to. No sagging, no stretched-out straps, no sad, twisted bottoms.
5. Lay Flat to Dry
Once your wash cycle wraps, gently pull your swimsuit out of the mesh bag and lay it flat to dry—preferably on a clean towel or drying rack. Hanging it can stretch it out, especially if it’s still damp and heavy.
Absolutely do not throw it in the dryer. Heat breaks down elastic fibers faster than you can say “pool party,” leaving you with a saggy, faded suit that’s seen better days. Even a low-heat tumble can cause pilling, warping, and other damage that’s basically irreversible.
Pro tip: Keep your swimsuit out of direct sunlight while it dries. UV rays are great for your tan, not so great for synthetic fabrics.
Common Questions About Washing Swimsuits
We get lots of questions about best practices for washing swimsuits—here’s what you need to know.
Can You Wash a Swimsuit in the Washing Machine?
Yes—but only if you treat it like the fragile little synthetic it is. Use a mesh laundry bag, cold water, and a delicate cycle. If you’re not doing a full load, you can hand-wash instead.
Can You Put a Swimsuit in the Dryer?
Nope—you should never put swimsuits in the dryer. The combination of heat and friction is a fast pass to stretched-out straps, faded prints, and busted elasticity.
Should You Wash a Swimsuit After Every Wear?
Yes, you should wash your swimsuit after every wear—even if you didn’t swim. Sweat, sunscreen, and chlorine don’t just rinse themselves out—if you want your suit to last past Labor Day, wash it after each wear.
How Do You Get Stains Out of a Swimsuit?
For sunscreen, sweat, or mystery stains:
- Rinse with cool water
- Dab on a little detergent or dish soap
- Gently rub the fabric together
- Let it sit for 30 minutes
- Lightly scrub with a soft cloth
- Wash as usual
Don’t use hot water or bleach—both will do more harm than good.
Can You Use Fabric Softener on Swimsuits?
Never use fabric softener on swimsuits. The conditioning agents leave behind a residue that messes with quick-drying fabrics and can trap bacteria. Skip it.
Take a Summer Trip with Laundry Sauce—No Passport Needed
We’re all for pool days, beach days, and impromptu hot tub nights—but your swimsuit deserves a little post-party care. Make sure you have Laundry Sauce on hand to break down sunscreen, sweat, and chlorine without wrecking your fabric.
Plus, our premium fragrances will transport you to the Amalfi Coast or the French Riviera—even if you’re just lounging in your backyard. Dive into Laundry Sauce this summer and see for yourself why everyone’s ditching generic detergent.
