How to Wash a Bathing Suit

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Chlorine, salt water, sunscreen and the oils from your skin are all absorbed by bathing suits. Washing your bathing suit in the washing machine can cause stretching, elastic wear, and also shrinkage. This tutorial will walk you through step-by-step on how to wash a bathing suit the proper way to ensure years of wear!

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Image Credit: Jessica Kielman

Things You'll Need

  • A tub or sink

  • Castile Soap (gentle or scented will work)

  • Cold water

  • Dry towel

Step 1: Add two tablespoons of Castile soap to two gallons of cold water.

Swish the water around to incorporate the Castile soap.

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Image Credit: Jessica Kielman

Step 2: Wash your bathing suit.

To get your bathing suit nice and clean, gently massage the soapy water into your suit. If you have any stains on your suit from food or sunscreen, you can use this stain remover.

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Warning

Do not pull or stretch your suit during washing, or you could break and stretch the bathing suit's elastic.

Image Credit: Jessica Kielman

Step 3: Rinse your bathing suit in clean, cold water.

Rinse your bathing suit in cold water, moving around until all suds are removed.

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Image Credit: Jessica Kielman

Step 4: Gently press as much water as you can from your bathing suit.

Use your thumbs and fingers to press as much water out as possible. Make sure to press the water out of any padding as well.

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Warning

Do not wring out or twist your bathing suit to remove water, or you could stretch and break your suit's elastic.

Image Credit: Jessica Kielman

Step 5: Roll your damp suit up in a dry towel.

Lay your bathing suit flat, and roll up in a clean, dry towel. Press the towel gently to help absorb any moisture from the suit.

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Image Credit: Jessica Kielman
Image Credit: Jessica Kielman

Step 6: Lay your bathing suit flat to dry on a towel.

Warning

Hanging your bathing suit can cause stretching and misshaping of the suit.

Image Credit: Jessica Kielman

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