A beautiful swimsuit is an investment in how you feel — by the pool, on the shoreline, anywhere the water meets the sun. And like any fine piece, it rewards a little care. The premium Italian biflex fabric we use at TVOE Swim is engineered for stretch, shape and rich, lasting colour, but chlorine, salt, sunscreen and heat are quietly working against all three. The good news: keeping your swimsuit looking new isn't complicated. A few gentle habits, repeated, will carry it through seasons rather than weeks.
Rinse straight after swimming
This is the single most important habit, and the easiest to forget. Chlorine and saltwater don't just sit on the surface — left in the fabric, they slowly break down elastane, dull colour and stiffen the feel. The moment you're out of the pool or the sea, rinse your swimsuit in cool, fresh water. Don't leave it un-rinsed in a damp bag while you have lunch or drive home; that's when the damage sets in. A quick rinse takes seconds and does more for longevity than anything else on this list.
How to hand wash your swimsuit
When it's time for a proper clean, hand wash in cold water only. Fill a basin with cool, fresh water, add a small amount of mild detergent, and gently swirl the suit through it. Let it soak for a few minutes, then press the water through the fabric with your hands rather than scrubbing. Rinse thoroughly in clean cold water until no soap remains. Cold water protects the elastane and the dye; warmth is what loosens both. Gentle handling preserves the four-way stretch that makes a swimsuit fit beautifully in the first place.
What to avoid
A few things shorten a swimsuit's life faster than anything:
- The washing machine — even a delicate cycle is too rough on fine swimwear. Skip it entirely.
- The tumble dryer — heat is the enemy of elastane. Never tumble dry.
- Wringing and twisting — this stretches and distorts the fabric. Press water out gently instead.
- Direct sun and heat — radiators, hot windowsills and harsh midday sun fade colour and weaken fibres.
- Rough surfaces — pool edges, concrete and rough rocks snag and pill the fabric. Lay down a towel before you sit.
- Sunscreen and oils — apply them and let them absorb fully before you put your suit on, and rinse promptly after contact, as they can stain and degrade the fabric over time.
How to dry and store
After washing, gently reshape the suit and lay it flat to dry on a towel, in the shade, away from direct heat. Drying flat keeps the seams and cups in shape; hanging a wet suit lets the weight of the water stretch it out. Never put it away damp — always make sure it's completely dry before storing. If you swim often, rotate between two or three suits so each has time to fully recover its stretch between wears. A rested suit holds its shape far longer than one worn day after day.
A quick do / don't summary
Do:
- Rinse in cool fresh water straight after the pool or sea
- Hand wash in cold water with mild detergent
- Press water out gently and reshape
- Dry flat in the shade
- Rotate between suits and store fully dry
Don't:
- Machine wash or tumble dry
- Wring or twist the fabric
- Leave it un-rinsed or stored damp
- Dry in direct sun or near heat
- Sit on rough surfaces or let sunscreen soak in
A swimsuit cared for this way will hold its colour, its shape and its stretch season after season — which is exactly what premium fabric is made for. Every TVOE piece is designed and sewn in-house in Poland from premium Italian fabric, so it's built to last when you treat it gently. Explore our swimwear collection for your next favourite, or browse our sportswear for pieces that move with you on land too. Take care of them, and they'll take care of your summers for years to come.
