The best way to wash your swimsuit is by hand, in lukewarm water of no more than 30 °C, with a mild detergent for delicates — no fabric softener, and never in the dryer. Rinse your swimwear in cold water immediately after every day at the beach or pool: chlorine, salt and sunscreen attack the elastic shaping fibres faster than swimming itself does. With this routine, a shaping swimsuit like the LumaShape Swimsuit stays firm, colourfast and true to shape for years.
| Washing method | When to use it | Temperature | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand wash | Standard for every shaping swimsuit and every bikini | Lukewarm, max. 30 °C | Best choice |
| Washing machine (delicates cycle + wash bag) | Only if the care label allows it | 30 °C, low spin speed | Only if necessary |
| Fabric softener | For no swimwear at all | — | Avoid: damages elastane |
| Tumble dryer | For no swimwear at all | — | Avoid: heat breaks down the fibres |
Why swimwear needs different care than regular clothing
Swimwear endures some of the toughest conditions textile can face: chlorinated water, salty sea water, UV rays, sunscreen and hours of stretching against wet skin. The fabric of a swimsuit consists largely of elastic fibres that provide the stretch, the fit and — in the case of a shaping swimsuit — the light correction around your waist and stomach. Those very fibres are sensitive to heat, harsh detergents and chemical residue.
Wash it the wrong way, and you'll notice it in three things: the colour fades, the fabric goes baggy or starts to pill, and the shaping effect weakens. Wash it the right way, and your swimsuit keeps fitting like it did on day one for years. The difference isn't in expensive products, but in a few simple habits that together take less than ten minutes a week.
Washing your swimsuit by hand: step by step
Hand washing is the safest method for any swimwear. All you need is lukewarm water and a splash of detergent for delicates. Here's how to do it:
- Fill a basin with lukewarm water of no more than 30 °C and dissolve a small amount of mild detergent for delicates. Warmer water stretches the fibres and makes colours fade faster.
- Let your swimsuit soak for ten to fifteen minutes. Gently move the fabric back and forth, but don't rub, wring or brush it.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean, cold water until no soap remains. Soap residue attracts dirt and makes the fabric stiff.
- Gently press out the water. Roll the swimsuit in a dry towel and press down softly — don't wring it out, as that distorts the fibres.
This routine takes less than five minutes and is by far the gentlest option for the shaping fibres. For a swimsuit you wear almost daily for a whole season, that hand wash pays for itself many times over.
Can you put a swimsuit in the washing machine?
Sometimes, but only if the care label allows it and with the necessary precautions. Choose the delicate or hand-wash programme at a maximum of 30°C and set the spin speed as low as possible, so the spin cycle doesn't stretch the wet fabric. Always put your swimsuit in a wash bag, so the straps and closures don't catch on other clothing.
Never wash swimwear together with rough fabrics such as jeans, towels or clothing with zips and velcro: these will abrade the smooth fibres. Also don't use fabric softener in the machine. Not sure about the label? Then choose hand washing, as that's always the safer option.
Tip: a simple wash bag costing a few euros significantly extends the life of your swimwear. Wash your swimsuit in it together with your seamless underwear on the same delicate programme, and you'll save yourself an extra wash.
Chlorine, salt and sunscreen: always rinse straight away
The biggest damage to your swimsuit doesn't happen in the washing machine, but on the beach and at the pool. Chlorine bleaches the colour and weakens the fibres, salt water dries out the fabric, and sunscreen — especially with mineral filters — leaves stains that are difficult to remove.
The solution is simple: rinse your swimwear in cold, clean water straight after swimming. You can just do this in the shower. This removes most of the chlorine, salt and sand before it can take effect. Applying sunscreen? Let it absorb before putting on your swimsuit, and rinse extra thoroughly afterwards.
Drying without stretching your swimsuit
Never hang a wet swimsuit on a line or hanger. The weight of the water stretches the wet fibres, causing the fabric to sag and permanently changing the fit. Instead, lay your swimsuit flat on a drying rack or towel, out of direct sunlight, as UV rays speed up colour fading.
Always let swimwear air dry completely. The tumble dryer is off-limits: the heat breaks down the elastane, causing your swimsuit to lose its stretch and shaping. A heater or hairdryer is also too hot and will dry out the fibres, making them brittle. So between swims, don't place a wet swimsuit on a warm radiator either — just lay it flat to air dry.
Shaping swimsuit? Here's how the correction stays intact
A shaping swimsuit like the LumaShape Swimsuit owes its slimming effect to a tummy control panel and elastic fibres that subtly shape your silhouette. That correction is exactly what suffers most from incorrect washing. Heat, fabric softener and the tumble dryer cause the elastane to weaken, and with it goes the very thing you chose the swimsuit for.
So keep it simple: rinse with cold water after every use, hand wash with a delicate detergent, dry flat in the shade. If you use it intensively, it's best to alternate between two swimsuits so the elastane can recover between wears and the compression stays effective for longer. This way, the light shaping stays intact and your swimwear fits as intended for years. If your swimsuit or bikini still slips while swimming, read our guide on swimwear that shifts.
Storing swimwear until next season
Only store your swimsuit once it's completely dry. A damp swimsuit in a dark cupboard invites mould and musty odours. Fold your swimwear loosely or lay it flat, don't cram it into an overfull drawer, as sharp creases can leave permanent marks in the smooth fabric.
Store swimwear in a cool, dry place out of the sun. That way, you'll start the next beach season with a swimsuit that still looks like new, instead of faded and stretched-out fabric.
Frequently asked questions about washing a swimsuit
How often should you wash a swimsuit?
Rinse your swimsuit with cold water after every use and give it a full hand wash after every two to three wears. If you won't be wearing it for a while, wash it thoroughly once before storing it.
What detergent should you use for a swimsuit?
A mild delicate detergent is ideal: it cleans without damaging the elastic fibres. Don't use fabric softener or bleach, as both damage the elastane and cause the shaping to weaken.
Can a swimsuit go in the washing machine?
Only if the care label allows it. In that case, choose the delicate cycle at a maximum of 30 °C, a low spin speed and a wash bag. If in doubt, hand washing is always safer.
Can a swimsuit go in the tumble dryer?
No. The heat from a tumble dryer breaks down the elastane, causing your swimsuit to lose its stretch, fit and shaping. Always let swimwear air dry flat.
Should you wash a new swimsuit before wearing it?
Yes. Wash a new swimsuit before first use to remove manufacturing residue and chemicals. This is more hygienic for your skin and freshens up the colour.
How do you get the chlorine smell out of a swimsuit?
Rinse the swimsuit with cold water right after swimming, then let it soak briefly in lukewarm water with a splash of mild detergent. Rinsing thoroughly removes the last traces of chlorine and any odour.
How do you dry a swimsuit quickly without stretching it out?
Roll the swimsuit in a dry towel and gently press out the water. Then lay it flat on a drying rack in the shade. This way it dries quickly without the fibres losing their shape.
Good care starts with swimwear made to keep its fit. Browse the full swimwear collection from Novyre, or read more about choosing between a swimsuit and a bikini for your figure.
Written by Team Novyre — specialists in seamless underwear. Last updated: 24 July 2026.
