When you finish splashing around in the pool, what do you do after you change into dry clothes? Some like to throw their swimsuits in the washer, while others like to care for them gently by hand. If you put yours in the washing machine, is then safe to put your swimsuit in the dryer? Come with me as we answer this age-old laundry quandary.
Pro Tip: Check the care tag and your washer and dryer owner’s manuals for the best solution for you.
Show me what you’re made of
Most swimsuits are often made of certain synthetic fabrics, including:
- Polyester
- Spandex
- Neoprene, and
- Nylon
Not only do they remain lightweight when wet, but they are also water resistant, which helps them dry more quickly. Though these traits make swimsuits comfortable, they can also make machine cleaning terrible for your favorite trunks or tankini.
Winging it with the washer
Some choose to get the best of both worlds by washing their swimsuits on “delicate” mode and letting them air dry. Though some swimsuits can stand up fine to an occasional run in the washer, doing so regularly can stretch and weaken the fabric, altering the fit and wearing out the shape.
If a swimsuit needs cleaning beyond what a hand wash can handle, use a mesh bag, the gentlest setting, and cold water to preserve it, and remove it from the machine quickly once it’s finished.
Disaster in the dryer
At any rate, the rule of thumb is to let all your swimsuits air dry. If you’re on vacation, and you really need to dry yours out before checking out, you can try a 10-minute quick dry, standing close by to retrieve your swimsuit once the timer stops. If you’ve got more time, grab a towel and hand dry it using the steps below.
- Lay a clean, dry towel flat on an even surface.
- Put one swimsuit at a time on the towel.
- Gently roll the swimsuit in the towel from one end to the other, lightly squeezing any moisture out in the process.
- Repeat until mostly dry.
- Hang to finish drying completely.
Depending on your location, you may have access to a swimsuit spinner, which can do the lion’s share of the work for you. Once finished, you can lay it flat to dry, drape it over a drying rack, or put it on a (regular or drip-drying) hanger.
Pro Tip: For best results, always dry swimsuits in a well-ventilated area, ideally away from direct sunlight (to prevent fading).
Caring for cover ups
How about those cover ups? Many of the tunics and dresses we wear to the pool are made of the same materials as bikinis and swim trunks; care for them accordingly. If yours is made of natural fabrics (e.g., linen or cotton), they should be machine washable and dryable (just check the care tag!).
If yours is a blend of natural and synthetic fabrics, err on the side of caution – we want to help our clothes last as long as possible!
Now you’ve got the info you need to give your swimsuits the TLC they deserve. Summer won’t last forever, but now your swimsuits can last for many cannonballs to come.