Quick answer

Rinse your bikini in cool, fresh water after every wear. Hand wash gently every few wears with a mild, swimwear-safe detergent. Never wring or twist the fabric. Lay it flat to dry in the shade, and only store it once it's completely dry. These five habits protect the color, stretch, shape, and softness of swimwear far longer than tossing a suit in the wash or the dryer.

The five-step bikini washing routine

1. Rinse after every wear. Rinse thoroughly in cool, fresh water as soon as possible after the pool, ocean, or hot tub. This clears chlorine, salt, sunscreen, sweat, and body oils before they settle into the fabric.
2. Hand wash in cool water every few wears. Use a small amount of gentle soap or a detergent made for swimwear. Skip bleach, fabric softener, stain removers, and any soap containing moisturizers, since those break down stretch fibers over time.
3. Press out water gently. Never wring or twist a bikini. Press out excess water gently, then roll it inside a clean towel and press again if needed.
4. Lay flat to dry. Reshape the suit and lay it flat in a shaded, well-ventilated spot. Skip the dryer, iron, and direct sunlight, and don't hang a wet suit, since the weight can stretch straps and fabric.
5. Store it completely dry. Confirm the bikini is fully dry before folding it away. Wet swimwear left rolled in a towel, plastic bag, or beach tote is one of the most common causes of trapped odor and fading.

Why fabric quality matters more than most people think

Not all swimwear fabric holds up the same way. Midori bikinis are made with premium 4-way stretch fabric built to move with you and hold its shape, wear after wear, rather than a lower-stretch blend that thins out and loses recovery after a season. Higher-quality stretch fabric also resists chlorine breakdown better, which matters if you swim regularly rather than only wearing your suit poolside.

What can damage swimwear fabric

Chlorine and hot tubs Chlorine and sustained heat are especially hard on stretch fibers. Rinse immediately after swimming and avoid long stretches in a hot tub when you can.

Saltwater Salt crystals stay in the fabric after the water evaporates, which stiffens fibers over time. Rinse with fresh water before your bikini dries, especially after a full beach day.

Sunscreen and body oils Let sunscreen absorb into your skin before putting on a bikini when possible. Rinse promptly after wear rather than rubbing oily residue directly into the fabric.

Sand and rough surfaces Trapped sand between fabric layers, plus rough pool edges or concrete, can cause pilling. Sit on a towel and rinse loose sand away instead of brushing or scrubbing it out.

Washing machines and dryers Machine agitation can stretch straps and shorten the life of elastic fibers, and dryer heat weakens elastic and can distort padding. Hand washing and air drying are always the safer choice for swimwear.

FAQ

Can you wash a swimsuit in a washing machine? Hand washing is the safest option. Machine agitation can stretch straps, damage padding, and shorten the life of elastic fibers. Never put swimwear in the dryer, even if the washer is unavoidable.

How often should you wash a swimsuit? Rinse in cool, fresh water after every wear. Hand wash gently every few wears, or sooner after heavy chlorine, sunscreen, sweat, or body-oil exposure.

Can you put a bathing suit in the dryer? No. Dryer heat weakens elastic fibers, can shrink or distort padding, and damages the suit's shape. Always lay swimwear flat to dry in the shade.

How do you get chlorine out of a swimsuit? Rinse thoroughly in cool, fresh water immediately after leaving the pool. Hand wash with a small amount of gentle, swimwear-safe detergent, rinse again, and lay flat to dry.

How do you keep swimsuits from fading? Rinse promptly after swimming, wash in cool water, skip harsh chemicals like bleach and stain removers, and dry away from direct sunlight and high heat.

How do you remove sand from a swimsuit? Let the suit dry completely, shake out loose sand, then stretch and rinse the fabric under cool running water. Avoid scrubbing, which can roughen the surface.

Why does my swimsuit smell after washing? A lingering smell usually means chlorine, oils, or moisture are still trapped in the fibers. Rinse thoroughly, hand wash gently, and let the suit dry fully in a ventilated area before storing it.

Shop Midori swimwear made with premium 4-way stretch fabric, built for comfort and shape that lasts season after season.