Tumble dryers are known to damage certain garments, especially the most delicate ones. Due to the fragility of their fabric fibers and their exposure to chlorine in swimming pools, sunlight, or sea salt, our swimsuits fall into the category of delicate garments. To extend their lifespan as long as possible, you need to take good care of them from washing through drying. Soraya Swimwear shares all its tips on how to dry your swimsuit properly without damaging it.
Why Can’t You Dry Your Swimsuit in the Dryer?
Just like lingerie or certain other garments, swimsuit fabrics are delicate, and it’s not recommended to put them in a dryer. In fact, the intense heat it generates can:
- Fade the color: Swimsuits with bright colors, patterns, or colorful prints are highly likely to lose their vibrancy. The same goes for those with gold trim or gold lamé prints—you may find them fading.
- Stretch it out: The fabric fibers in a bikini are delicate. In fact, the materials used in swimwear (most often spandex and nylon) cannot withstand the high temperatures of a dryer.
- Damage: If your swimsuit has beads or sequins sewn onto the print, or small jewels—whether embedded or not—in the fabric, you risk losing them if you put it in the dryer. This applies to any garment with “raised” details or snaps, which do not hold up well to high heat.
Don’t worry—there’s another way to dry your swimsuits that will help extend their lifespan.
How can you dry your swimsuit without damaging it?
Before drying your swimsuit, you’ll need to wash it properly as well. In fact, it’s not recommended to skip the washing step. Sunlight, saltwater from the ocean, chlorine from the pool, and even sunscreen stains can damage the fabric. After swimming, you should therefore rinse your swimsuit with fresh water and wash it using appropriate products. If you’re not sure how to wash your swimsuit, feel free to check out all our tips in the article dedicated to this topic.
Once your swimsuit has been washed properly, you should wring it out by gently squeezing it. Avoid twisting it in all directions, or you risk damaging it. You can also gently press it with a towel to absorb excess water.
Once you’ve finished wringing out your precious bikini, lay it flat to dry in the shade. Above all, do not let it dry in the sun, as this will cause the colors to fade. Also, be careful about the surface you place it on. It’s best to let it dry on a clean, dry towel.
Once dry, do not iron it under any circumstances. The intense heat from the iron would melt it.
In conclusion
You now know the number one rule for drying your swimsuit without damaging it: never put it in the dryer. Thanks to this article, you’ll be able to follow the right steps to dry it properly and keep your bikini looking great for many summers to come. If you’d like to learn more about other ways to care for your swimsuits, feel free to read our Ultimate Guide to Swimsuit Care. You’ll find all the useful advice on washing, as well as plenty of tips for removing sunscreen stains.