While long days in the sun, ocean swims, and pool hangouts nourish the soul, they take a toll on our swimsuits. Exposure to heat, salt, and chlorine can cause colours and prints to fade and stretch or thin the material over time, while sunscreen and body oils can leave stains behind. However, you needn’t resign yourself to buying a new swimsuit every season; with a few easy tips and tricks, you can extend the life of your swimsuit far beyond next summer.

Before wearing your new swimsuit, pre-treat it to lock in the colour. Add two tablespoons of vinegar to a litre of cold water and soak your suit in the mixture for half an hour. The cool water will allow the vinegar to penetrate the material and seal in the colour, ensuring it lasts.

 

Post-swim showers are popular, but rinsing off before entering the ocean or pool can help prevent your swimsuit fabric from stretching, as the freshwater soaks the threads in the material and reduces the ability of salt and chlorine to penetrate.

 

After use, wash your swimsuit in cool water using our Natural Laundry Wash; a gentle yet effective detergent is essential to prevent the colour from running. Either hand wash your swimsuit inside-out or place it in a mesh laundry bag and machine wash on a delicate cycle. Rather than drying your swimsuit in the sun or dryer (both cause the material to break down faster), roll your suit in a towel to absorb excess water and then lay it out flat on a towel or drying rack out of direct sunlight.