How to Remove Stains from Swimwear
For most households, swimsuits are a magnet for stains. From popsicle drips to sunscreen residue, cooking oil, ketchup, and more, these stains always seem to land front and center, and you always seem to notice them after it’s too late.
Hadley’s is here to help! We’ve rounded up the tried-and-true stain removal methods you can use for the most common poolside spills to keep your swimwear looking its best.
Sunscreen Stains
You might expect sunscreen to leave a bright white stain on your swimsuit, but this isn’t always the case. Stains from sunscreen often create a yellow-brown stain on swimwear. This off-putting color is due to the nylon fabric reacting with the UV-reflecting chemicals that protect your skin.
To get rid of these grungy spots, mix up a paste of half baking soda and half water. Rinse your swimwear in cold water, then apply the mixture to the affected areas. Leave the paste on for an hour, not scrubbing at the spot at all. After 60 minutes, rinse the suit in cold water and throw it into the washing machine for a normal wash.
Food Stains
Kids aren’t the only ones dropping food on their swimsuits. At a barbeque by the pool, Mom’s corn on the cob might drip butter. The ketchup from Dad’s hamburger might land on his trunks. The juice from a ripe strawberry might spray onto Grandma’s suit.
If you’re done swimming for the day, you can treat the stain right away. Rinse it with cool water, then soak the suit in a bowl with a teaspoon of laundry detergent and a drop of dish soap. Leave for 15 minutes, then gently dab at the stain with a cloth.
Oftentimes, you’re not able to treat a stain until you get back home hours later. In this case, fill a bowl with half vinegar and half cool water. Let the swimwear soak for half an hour, and then wash it like normal.
Mildew Stains
After a day at the pool with their friend, your child may throw their swimsuit in a plastic bag and bury it in the bottom of their backpack. They forget about it until days later, when you notice a sour smell emanating from their bag.
Sometimes, it’s not just a bad smell—the suit may have developed a few mildew stains as well. Vinegar is your best friend here, as it will cut the sharpness of the odor. To treat the stains, put the suit in a bowl with four parts warm water and one part vinegar for 30 minutes. Then grab a bristle brush (or disposable toothbrush) and scrub with the grain of the fabric.
After you’re satisfied with your scrubbing, wash it as normal.
Wash Swimsuits Alone
Your swimsuit has absorbed a lot besides water. Pool days mean chlorine, lake days are filled with murky water, while days at the beach bring home salt and sand.
It’s often best to not expose your other clothes to these particles. Instead, wash your swimwear in a separate load, using cold water.
Lay Flat to Dry
After you’ve pre-treated and washed your swimsuit, you may be tempted to throw it in the dryer. This is a mistake. The intense heat could damage the fabric. Your straps or drawstrings can also get stretched out from wrapping around other pieces of clothing.
Some people then opt to hang their suit by the straps on a doorknob or on their clothesline. Gravity will work against your wet suit here, stretching out the fibers.
Instead, lay your trunks, one-piece, or bikini flat on a drying rack.
Choose a High-Quality Suit from Hadley’s Bungalow
There are creative ways you can get around stains. If your little ones’ favorite poolside treat is watermelon, maybe opt for red patriotic swimsuits.
But the best strategy is choosing a high-quality swimsuit that won’t fall apart after a few washes. At Hadley’s Bungalow, our swimsuits are designed for durability and comfort with recycled nylon and spandex. Check out our entire swimwear collection, from modest swimwear for women to stylish swimwear for men, to find the perfect long-lasting addition to your wardrobe.
