Special care, or how to wash a swimsuit

Despite the fact that a swimsuit spends most of its life in water, washing it is necessary. But, if you do it carelessly, then beautiful beachwear will become an unsightly rag.

Therefore, so that all the efforts spent when choosing a swimsuit are not in vain, special care is required for a summer item.

Is it possible and how to properly wash a swimsuit (for rhythmic gymnastics, after the sea, etc.) in a washing machine and by hand, we will tell you in the article.

Is it possible?

Swimwear is a delicate item, and rather rough machine washing can damage the fibers of the fabric. In addition, a rapidly rotating drum can stretch the material and ruin the cups.

Some modern machine models have a super-gentle delicate mode, which sometimes washes softer than hand cleaning. In this case, automatic washing is acceptable; in all other cases, it is better to give preference to hand washing.

But the material of the former is more picky and is often supplemented with various accessories, but some manufacturers allow automatic washing.

In what cases is machine washing strictly prohibited:

• if the top is made in the likeness of a bra, there are underwires, silicone or gel inserts, and voluminous cups;
• there is embroidery, decorations made of beads, rhinestones, sequins, etc.;
• there are metal inserts or fasteners;
• if the swimsuit is handmade.

How often?

Swimming clothing must be washed after each use, despite regular contact with water. The fact is that fresh water bodies stain the fabric with silt and underwater vegetation, and the increased level of salt in the sea settles on the fabric and corrodes it.

Pool water soaked in chlorine also has a negative effect on the material.. Therefore, after each trip to the shore, you should rinse your swimsuit with running water, and upon arrival home, be sure to wash it.

It is better to carry out the first wash immediately after purchase for aesthetic reasons - it is not known how long the swimsuit spent in a dusty warehouse, how often it fell on a dirty floor and how many fittings it went through.

Preparation for the process

Before you start washing, you need to do a little magic on your swimsuit.

Sand removal

The clogged sand should also be removed in advance, since during washing it can damage the fabric, clogging even deeper, and, if the washing was automatic, ruin the machine.

They get rid of sand depending on the condition of the product:

1. The dry one is carefully stretched and cleaned with a brush and soft bristles.
2. The wet one is thoroughly washed under running water, turning it inside out and paying attention to each fold.

This video will show you how to remove sand from a swimsuit:

Cleaning stains

Traces from creams and oils for and from tanning are the most common marks on swimwear. They are usually removed before washing.

• cover the greasy stain on both sides with paper napkins;
• Using an iron heated to no higher than 100°C, carefully iron the covered area;
• prepare a solution - liquid washing gel is mixed with ammonia;
• moisten the sponge and wipe away any remaining dirt.

Removing traces of glue

Before washing a new swimsuit for the first time, you need to remove any remaining adhesive, if any. Most often, the glue remains on the swimming trunks after removing the hygienic film.

It can be removed using:

• sticky tape – a piece of tape is applied to the remaining glue and sharply torn off;
• laundry soap – Apply generous amounts of soap foam to the stained area, leave for 5-7 minutes and remove any rolled up glue.

Some sites recommend removing the sticky enzyme with gasoline or thinner. You shouldn’t do this - the chance that the swimming trunks will deteriorate is higher than the chance that the glue will be removed.

Step-by-step instructions for washing the product

Each type of swimsuit has its own characteristics when washing.

Ordinary

Before washing a regular swimsuit, study the recommendations on the label, remove dirt and sand and choose a detergent. It is best to use liquid gels, liquid products for naughty fabrics or colorless shampoos, since powders are poorly washed out of the material.

In the washing machine

If machine washing is allowed, it is carried out in accordance with simple rules:

1. Select “delicate” or “manual” mode.
2. The water temperature should not exceed 35 °C.
3. Disable all types of spinning and drying.
4. Turn the bikini inside out and place it in a special mesh.
5. After washing, do not wring out the clothes, but let the liquid drain a little, leaving them in the drum.

Manually

Hand washing instructions are also quite simple:

1. If desired, beachwear can be soaked for 5-10 minutes in cool water.
2. Fill the basin with water no more than 35 °C.
3. Add a little liquid laundry detergent. It is not recommended to pour a lot, so as not to have to rinse for too long.
4. Beat the product until thick foam forms.
5. Place the swimsuit in water, washing with light pressure. Rubbing, twisting, stretching and similar aggressive actions with a bikini are prohibited!
6. Drain the soapy water and add clean water at the same temperature.
7. Rinse the swimsuit with vigorous movements.
8. Rinse until the water runs clear.
9. Squeeze out excess liquid with light, soft pressure without twisting the item.

Sports

Thicker fabric allows you to wash the item in a machine, but the presence of seeds and gel inserts allows only hand cleaning.

In the typewriter

Despite the strength of the sports swimsuit, Its automatic washing is similar to washing a regular bikini:

1. The preferred mode is “delicate” or “manual”.
2. Water is not hotter than 35°C.
3. Additional functions such as spinning and drying are disabled.
4. Pack the swimsuit in a mesh.
5. After washing, do not wring out.

Hands

As with machine washing, washing by hand is almost completely identical to washing a regular bikini:

1. In a basin, dilute a soap solution in cool water.
2. The swimsuit can be lightly rubbed during washing.
3. Rinse until the water is no longer soapy.
4. After washing, squeeze out the water a little with your fingers.

All kinds of twisting, twisting, stretching, etc. are prohibited!

For rhythmic gymnastics

Swimwear for gymnastics, figure skating and acrobatics – the most demanding in terms of care due to the huge number of decorations. In addition, its cost is high, therefore, in order not to spoil the item, they are treated with extreme care.

Before you study the rules for cleaning a gymnastics suit, you should find out what is prohibited from doing:

• soak;
• wash in hot water;
• use shampoos, powders, gels, conditioners, bleaches and stain removers. Only baby soap is allowed;
• squeezing, twisting, stretching;
• take it to the dry cleaner;
• wash earlier than 12 days after making the rhinestone pattern.

Proper washing:

1. Fill a bowl with water at about 30 degrees.
2. Dilute liquid or solid baby soap.
3. Lightly press the swimsuit under water.
4. Rub dirty parts very gently.
5. Rinse carefully in clean water.
6. Do not squeeze, but wrap in a towel.

How to wash a rhythmic gymnastics leotard by hand, video instructions:

Features for different materials

Cleaning a swimsuit depends not only on its type, but also on the fabric from which it was made.

Cotton

Thin cotton swimsuits are often purchased for children or pregnant women.

Read more about the rules for washing cotton products Here.

Silk

Silk bikinis can only be washed by hand in thirty degree water, using liquid detergents designed specifically for silk.

Synthetics

Machine wash is acceptable, but hand wash is still preferable.. The water temperature should not exceed 30°C, since synthetics are not friendly with hot water. Strong friction, squeezing and stretching will damage the material.

Microfiber

This material should be washed separately from other fabrics to prevent staining. Machine washable on a “delicate” cycle, at a water temperature of no more than 40°C. The detergent should not contain harsh chemicals.

Restoring the original appearance

Over time, bright colors of swimsuits fade, and white ones turn yellow or gray, but this is not a reason to despair. It is quite possible to return your bikini to its previous look.

You can restore the color using a stain remover.

1. Dip a thick cloth, preferably white, in the product.
2. Apply to the faded area for 5-7 minutes.
3. Wash in 30 degree water with the addition of a few drops of stain remover.
4. Then rinse in a solution of water and vinegar (2:1) to secure the result.

How to bleach?

A white swimsuit is more capricious than a colored one, and any dirt and yellow spots look like an eyesore.

How to return the original whiteness:

• using bleach;
• folk remedies.

Rules for using bleach:

1. As mentioned, these products are not recommended for swimwear, but specialized mild chemicals for delicate items that do not contain chlorine are acceptable.
2. Dilute a small amount of bleach in water at 30°C.
3. Soak the bikini for 10-15 minutes.
4. Wash following the hand wash instructions.
5. Some bleaches can be used in machine washing, unless otherwise prohibited by the manufacturer.

Use of folk remedies:

1. In 1 liter of cool water, mix 5 ml of ammonia and 25 g of baking soda.
2. Soak the bikini for several hours.
3. Wash in accordance with hand and machine wash instructions.

Boiling swimsuits is strictly prohibited!

How to dry it properly?

The drying process also has its own nuances:

1. After the water has been squeezed out a little, the swimsuit is laid out on a terry towel and rolled up.
2. Press the towel slightly with your fingers so that excess moisture is absorbed.
3. Unfold the structure and place the swimsuit on a dry terry towel, leaving it to dry naturally in a horizontal position.

To prevent the swimsuit from fading and losing elasticity, forbidden:

• dry on the radiator or in close proximity to it;
• leave to dry in direct sunlight;
• hang on hangers or a rope so that the bikini does not lose its shape.

You will find a lot of useful information on how to dry things after washing. Here. You will find maximum useful information about washing clothes and various fabric products Here.

Conclusion

A swimsuit, like any thing, requires special care, neglect of which will negatively affect its quality and durability. To avoid sad consequences, follow simple washing rules:

• Possible washing options are indicated on the label;
• hand wash is preferable;
• machine operation is possible only in “delicate” mode;
• automatic spinning and drying are unacceptable;
• It is not recommended to do any twisting or stretching of the material;
• water does not exceed 30°C;
• Drying on a radiator or in direct sunlight is prohibited.