Caring for Swimwear

Much of the nation didn’t take a vacation last year because of COVID, so I suspect vacations will be even sweeter this summer.  Sadly, neither my husband nor my son wants to hit the beach this year, so we are opting for a trip to New Orleans.  But for those of you that will be enjoying the beach, sun, and water, this post is for you.

Tips to help your swimwear look nice and last longer.

1. Rotate Suits – Most suits are made from nylon or a polyester blended with at least 10-20% of Spandex. Spandex is a memory fabric and needs time to return to its original position. If you’re on a beach holiday, you may want to consider alternating swimwear so that each suit has 24 hours to recover.
2. Careful Where You Sit – Many concrete surfaces and wooden benches have rough surfaces which can lead to snags and tears on the material. If there are no other seating options, try sitting on a towel or wrapping up in a sarong.
3. Address Repairs – Even the highest quality suits can end up with a broken strap or unraveling seam but working with stretchy material can be a challenge. Shores alterations services can make those repairs quickly so that you can return to the sun and fun without delay.
4. Rinse Immediately – Though it is ideal to wash your suit after each wearing, sometimes it’s not possible to wash it as soon as you take it off. At the very least, rinse it in cold water as soon as you remove it to help remove the salt water or chlorine-based chemicals.
5. Don’t Machine Wash – The inside of a washing machine can sometimes develop rough spots, so machine washing your swimwear could lead to snags or holes. That’s why it’s best to hand wash your suit in cold water using a mild detergent. Never use any sort of detergent with bleach, and don’t place it in the dryer because that could lead to color fading or distortion. Instead, lay the suit on a flat surface to dry.

Of course, Shores is always here to answer any of your summer wear questions.  If you have questions or if you need help, feel free to contact us or drop by one of our convenient locations.