The way you wash and dry your swimmers matters just as much as the fabric you buy. Proper care can easily double the life of your favourite cossie and massively reduce swimwear losing elasticity, colour and shape. Follow this simple routine to keep your swimsuits looking and feeling their best for many summers.

These tips apply to all Splash styles – from fashion prints to chlorine‑resistant lap‑swim suits and supportive D–G cup pieces.

1. Rinse Immediately After Every Swim

Chlorine, salt, sunscreen and body oils are the main culprits behind fading colours and broken elastic. Rinsing straight after your swim stops them sitting in the fabric for hours. 

As soon as you leave the pool or beach:

• Rinse your swimsuit under cool, fresh running water until the water runs clear.
• If there’s a shower on site, rinse your body and swimmers before and after swimming – filling the fibres with fresh water first means they absorb less chlorinated or salty water. 
• Never leave wet swimmers balled up in a bag or towel; that accelerates fading, odours and elastic damage. 

2. Hand Wash Gently With Mild Detergent

For most suits, the safest answer to how to wash swimwear is: by hand in cool water with a gentle detergent. Harsh chemicals, very hot water and aggressive machine cycles all speed up fibre breakdown. After rinsing:

• Fill a sink or basin with cool or lukewarm water – never hot, as heat damages elastane and Lycra. 
• Add a small amount of mild liquid detergent (a delicates or lingerie wash is ideal).
• Turn your swimsuit inside out and gently swish it through the water, lightly squeezing the fabric – no scrubbing or twisting.
• Rinse thoroughly in clean cool water until all soap is gone; leftover detergent can make fibres dull and weak over time. 

If you must use a washing machine, choose a cold, delicate cycle, pop swimmers in a mesh bag and skip spin‑dry, bleach and fabric softener. 

3. How To Dry Swimmers Without Stretching Them

Drying is where many people accidentally ruin their suits. Tumble dryers, hot tiles and clotheslines can all stretch elastic and fade colours, so the safest method is slow air‑drying. 

To dry swimmers properly:

• Gently press – don’t wring – to remove excess water.
• Lay the suit flat on a clean, dry towel, roll it up and press to soak up more moisture, then unroll. 
• Lay your swimsuit flat to air dry in a well‑ventilated spot, out of direct sunlight. Hanging by the straps can stretch them out over time and strong UV fades colour. 
• A fan or breeze will speed drying without heat; avoid radiators, hot bathrooms and tumble dryers. 

4. How To Stop Swimwear Losing Elasticity & Colour

Elastane fibres naturally break down over time, especially in chlorinated water, but good habits can slow this right down. Most “swimwear losing elasticity” issues are caused by chlorine, sun and rough washing. 

To keep your suit supportive and bright:

• Rotate between two or more swimsuits if you swim often so each one can fully dry and recover between wears. 
• Avoid long soaks in very hot spas, as high heat plus strong chemicals are especially hard on elastic. 
• Apply sunscreen and fake tan carefully and let them fully absorb before putting your swimsuit on; many formulas can stain or weaken fibres. 
• Store suits flat or folded once completely dry – never damp in a bag or sealed container. 

For heavy pool use, consider a chlorine‑resistant polyester suit; these fabrics rely less on elastane, so they keep their stretch and colour much longer in chlorinated water. 

5. Quick Care Checklist After Every Swim

Save or screenshot this routine for easy, evergreen care:

• Rinse in cool, fresh water as soon as you get out of the pool or ocean.
• Hand wash with mild detergent in cool–lukewarm water, then rinse thoroughly.
• Gently squeeze and roll in a towel; never wring or twist.
• Lay flat in the shade to air dry; avoid direct sun, heaters and tumble dryers.
• Store only when completely dry, and rotate your suits if you swim several times a week.

Follow these simple steps and your Splash swimwear will stay brighter, stretchier and more supportive for far longer – whether it’s your favourite fashion one‑piece or your go‑to lap‑swimming suit.