Proper care extends the life of your women's bikinis and keeps them vibrant and well-fitting through season after season. Swimwear is exposed to chlorine, saltwater, sunscreen, and UV light after every wear, and a simple, consistent routine makes the difference between a bikini that lasts and one that fades out after a single trip.
Washing: Rinse First, Hand Wash Second
The single most important care step is rinsing your bikini in cool, fresh water immediately after every swim. This removes chlorine, salt, and sunscreen residue before they break down the elastic. The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, the world's oldest swimming pool industry association established in 1956, documents how chlorine chemistry in pool water, while essential for water safety, can interact with fabrics and materials in contact with treated water, reinforcing why rinsing swimwear immediately after every swim is the single most protective care habit available. After rinsing, handwash with a mild swimwear-safe detergent in cool water rather than machine-washing, which is far gentler on the fabric structure and keeps prints vibrant wash after wash.
Drying: Air Dry Away From Heat And Sunlight
After washing, gently press excess water from the fabric rather than wringing or twisting, which can stress the construction and distort the shape of both the top and the bottom. Lay your bikini flat or hang it to dry in the shade or indoors. Direct sunlight and dryer heat both accelerate color fading and degrade elastic significantly faster than air drying in a shaded spot. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that UV radiation is present even on cloudy days and can affect materials exposed to the outdoors, making shade-drying a meaningful step in protecting the color and elasticity of any swimwear piece during repeated use.
Storage And Long-Term Care
Store your bikinis flat in a drawer rather than compressed in a bag or folded tightly, which helps the hardware, fabric, and padding maintain their shape between wears. Rotating between multiple pairs and allowing each to fully recover its elasticity between uses extends the lifespan of every piece in your swim wardrobe. Browse our full Women’s Swimsuits collection to build yours out with pieces that wear beautifully together. When cared for consistently, our bikinis maintain their fit, color, and quality through multiple full seasons.