WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER PUT YOUR SWIMWEAR IN THE WASHING MACHINE AND WHAT TO DO INSTEAD

Swimwear season is all sea, sand, sunshine and fun, until your skin starts staging a protest. If your go-to swimwear is leaving you a little itchy or irritated, the culprit might not be the pool… it could be your laundry habits.

Most swimwear is made from stretchy, synthetic fabrics such as nylon, polyester and spandex. All great for hugging your body and drying off quickly post-swim, but not so great when it comes to holding on to bacteria, chlorine, salt and body oils.

If left unwashed (or washed the wrong way), your suit can quickly become a hotbed for things such as yeast and staph bacteria. This can eventually lead to skin irritation, UTIs or infections. No, thank you.

The dangers of not washing your swimsuit correctly (beware the bikini bacteria)

We spoke with Dr Susanna Unsworth, a women’s health expert who also operates as a community gynaecology specialist GP in the UK, to find out what our stinky swimsuits could be doing to our bodies and how to fix it.

According to Dr Unsworth, the issues than can come from not washing your swimsuit properly are down to a collection of varied bacteria gathering in the fabrics. “You’ll generally find bacteria from your own skin, possibly some faecal bacteria and even vaginal microorganisms such as yeast,” she says. She goes on to explain that if the swimwear isn’t properly cleaned, these can hang around, wreaking havoc and multiplying.

Leaving this mix of nasties to settle in your clothes can cause a whole host of unpleasantness. “It can lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs), yeast infections or general skin irritation,” says Dr Unsworth. “If there’s any broken skin or you’re already run down, there’s a bigger risk of infection. The moist environment also makes it easier for yeast to thrive, especially if you’re wearing the suit for a while after swimming.”

Because of this increased risk, our usual go-to cleaning methods might not be doing the trick. Luckily, keeping your swimwear clean and fresh all summer long is totally doable – without sacrificing its shape, colour or your skin’s wellbeing. Here’s how.

1. Don’t put your swimwear in the washing machine

As reasonable and instinctive as chucking your swimsuit in the washing machine may be, fight the urge. It's not worth it in the long run. Strong detergents, hot water and the tumbling action of the machine can destroy your swimsuit’s delicate fabrics, leaving materials starched and misshapen – not a good look or a good feeling.

2. Rinse and repeat

If you take away one tip from this guide let it be this: always rinse your costume immediately after your dip. While going straight from the pool or the sea to the sunlounger is incredibly tempting, chlorine, salt, sunscreen and sweat love to cling to swimwear fabric and allowing them sit too long can weaken the fibres and irritate your skin.

“Swimwear is often made from synthetic material that holds on to moisture and isn’t very breathable,” says Dr Unsworth. “Add in body heat, tight contact with the skin and a damp environment, and you have a pretty ideal set-up for bacteria or yeast to grow.

“Staying in a wet swimsuit for too long can definitely lead to irritation and increase your risk of infection, especially if the suit isn’t freshly washed.”

A quick rinse in cool, clean water flushes out all the gunk before it can settle in too deep.

GHI tip: No access to a sink or shower? At the very least, pour bottled water over until you can give it a proper wash later.

Ideally, you should be washing your suit after every wear, especially if you're in it for a good couple of hours in the sun and especially if you're swimming in chlorinated water. But if this doesn’t fit into holiday plans, just make sure you're rinsing and then properly washing with a soap or detergent every three wears, minimum.

The general rule of thumb is to never let your swimming costume fully dry (on or off the body) without a thorough rinse in cool clean water.

3. Give it a good soak

When you’re ready to properly clean your suit, fill a clean sink or basin with cold water and add a splash of quality mild detergent such as Ecover Delicate Laundry Detergent or, better yet, a detergent specially made for nylon or spandex.

Before soaking, untie any knots or adjustable straps. Not only can bacteria hide in those tight little corners, but this also helps preserve the shape of your suit.

Let it soak for 15-30 minutes, then gently swirl it around with your hands. Squeeze and press the detergent into the material gently, making sure not to scratch or wring it. After soaking, give your swimsuit one more good rinse in clean, cool water to remove all traces of detergent. Leftover soap residue can irritate your skin and weaken the elasticity of the fabric over time.

4. Use the right soap

Your swimsuit doesn’t need a tough detergent; it needs a gentle, effective one that won’t irritate your skin or ruin the fabric. Look for a product that’s free from dyes, fragrances and harsh chemicals.

Try one of the Good Housekeeping Institute's top-rated non-bio detergents, which are gentler on the skin than bio alternatives.

5. Don’t wring it out

Wringing your suit dry might feel satisfying, but it’s a fast track to stretching and misshaping the fabric. Instead, gently press out excess water with your hands, then lay the suit flat on a clean, dry towel and roll it up like a burrito to absorb moisture.

After that, lay it flat or hang it (by the middle, not the straps!) in a shaded area. Avoid direct sunlight as the UV rays will bleach your suit’s colour faster than you can say SPF50. Tumble-drying is not advised and a sure-fire route to saggy bottoms.

GHI tip: Don’t let your swimsuit dry on wood, metal or rough surfaces, as they can leave stains or snags.

To take the stress out of things a bit, Dr Unsworth suggests taking more than a couple of different pairs of swimsuits on your holidays. “It gives each one time to properly dry between wears and reduces the chance of any irritation or infection,” she says.

The bottom line

Swimwear is an investment, in both style and intimate health. So treat it kindly! If, for any reason, you absolutely have to put your cossie in the washing machine, just make sure it’s only when using a mesh laundry bag, in a padded-out load and on a super-gentle cycle at a low temperature.

But if you want your swimsuit to be around for summers to come, we recommend the more gentle approach: rinse, soak and let it dry. Your skin will thank you.

2025-06-20T07:46:16Z