The tricks to wash swimwear without ruining them

How to thoroughly wash swimwear and store them in the best possible way.

He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him

How should swimwear be washed? And what are the mistakes to avoid in order to find them intact next year?

Red, white, polka dot, striped, cotton, lycra, nylon. One-piece or two-piece, a swimsuit that fits us perfectly is the must of the summer holidays and choosing one suitable for us and for our body (if the super high-cut one is not for you, turn away, come on ...) is of fundamental importance. As well as washing it well and keeping it well preserved for next year. But how do you wash your swimwear in order to keep them intact from year to year?

What must be said is that, first of all, the swimsuit should at least be rinsed every time you return from the sea or the pool. A little running water will remove the last traces of salt, sand or chlorine and is already a good step towards keeping it looking like new.

But, like all self-respecting clothing items (in this case, then, it is in direct contact with the private parts so you don't mess around), even the bathing suit should be thoroughly washed with a certain frequency, taking care to mind that i materials what it is generally made of are nylon or lycra, easily deteriorating with insufficient detergents, heat, mold or rinsing.

Here are some practical tips to clean the costume without damaging it.

Index

How to wash your swimsuit

Avoid the washing machine and crank it

Because of the materials they are made of, swimwear is not very fond of washing machines (in case you choose this type of washing, always read the labels first and put the swimsuit in the underwear bag). A delicate hand wash is better, which will also preserve the numerous decorations that usually invade them ...

Soak!

Leave your swimsuit to soak in warm water with a spoonful of baking soda for about twenty minutes. This will begin to soften the dirt and chase it away.

Marseille soap and vinegar

After the soaking phase, simply rub the dirtiest areas with Marseille soap and then rinse with cold water and vinegar which, in addition to being an excellent disinfectant and softener, will revive the colors and preserve the rubber bands (more subject to wear).

Read also: How to choose and recognize real Marseille soap (and where to find it)

How to clean a sand filled costume

Sometimes the sand, especially the very fine sand, is a real enemy of costumes, capable as it is of slipping into any type of fiber they are made of.

If a nice jet of cold running water, a good rubbing and a final brush are not enough, there are those who also resort to baking soda in this case. After removing the surface sand by turning the costume inside out, sprinkle it with baking soda and place it in a plastic bag. Close and shake: in this way the graininess bicarbonate will carry out an abrasive action which will thus remove the grains of sand more easily. Then, rub the entire swimsuit point by point with a piece of dry towel, then put it to soak for about ten minutes.

Another infallible method can be thevacuum cleaner: operate it, not at maximum power, making it adhere to the costume so as to suck in the grains of sand. Then proceed with the normal washing.

Wash the swimsuit after swimming

If it is in Swimmingpool that you go, remember that white swimwear are particularly sensitive to chlorine and will easily turn yellow, because chlorine consumes white fibers.

In general, a bit like at the sea, before returning home it is good to have a good rinse with a lot of swimsuit under fresh water. Afterwards, after each use of the swimsuit in the pool, wash it by hand with a mild detergent or Marseille soap.

How to remove blood, grease and sunscreen from your swimsuit

Against obvious stains from creams, sweat or blood, the same instructions generally apply to more delicate clothing.

Read also: Stains: 10 tricks and remedies to remove the most difficult ones

Even in the case of swimwear, it may be necessary pre-treat stains. If necessary, House Solutions recommends creating a spray at home with:

a quarter cup of glycerin and 10 drops of bitter orange essential oil
or half a cup of water and a quarter of a cup of Marseille liquid soap

After pretreating them, the stains from the costumes will go away more easily:

solar oil: just a few drops of dish detergent, rub gently and rinse thoroughly
sunscreen: moisten the soiled area with cold water and rub gently with Marseille soap. Then cover with baking soda and let it absorb. After a few hours, rinse thoroughly
blood: in the case of fresh blood, just do a good rinse immediately. For more resistant stains, however, you could apply a homemade mixture of cold water and corn starch in equal parts, leaving it to act for about half an hour before proceeding with the washing.

How to keep swimwear looking like new, 5 things to know

Once your swimsuits are washed, do not hang them out in direct sunlight, which can leave marks on the fabric and cause colors to fade.
Be aware that in heated spas and swimming pools the chemicals dissolved in them can reduce the life of your costume
Avoid using the same swimsuit more than once in 24 hours, only an alternation of swimsuits will prevent them from widening or losing elasticity
In the whirlpools, extreme temperatures fade and enlarge the swimsuit
Be careful where you sit: the edges of the pools, for example, are rough, which can ruin the swimsuit. Better to sit on a towel, even as a matter of personal hygiene