A Step-by-Step Guide for Preventing Your Swimwear from Bleeding in the Sun

They say, “Live your life in color.” We say, “Love your life in a colorful swimsuit.”

There’s no better feeling than finally getting your hands on the perfect bikini after weeks of toiling in between store racks and online catalogues. The process of bikini shopping is not the easiest of feats and it does not come cheap either. That’s why we want our bikinis to last longer than just a season. There’s one thing stopping you from enjoying your bikini though – bleeding.

Swimsuits might be the most colorful things in your wardrobe. We love a color-popping, eye-catching swimsuit any time of the day. Like this neon yellow and pink g-string bikini, you’ll be spreading your glow wherever you go. Color, however, makes them susceptible to bleeding and eventually fading. Three things cause swimsuits to bleed: chlorine, sunshine, and detergents. With all of these elements combined, your swimsuit will fade faster and have little chance of retaining its true color. Most swimwear is made from materials that fade, lose elasticity, and pull easily when they come in contact with concrete or other rough surfaces.

A faded swimsuit is not as sexy as the bright pop of color it had when you first bought it. Luckily, there are measures you can take to prevent this from happening. The following steps are sure-fire ways to keep your swimsuit pristine and in tip-top shape even after soaking them in water and basking them under the harsh sun.

Prevention is better than cure: Treat your swimsuits prior to usage.

2 tsp. white Vinegar plus a quart of cold water – this is a tried and tested concoction that might nip our problem in the bud. The mixture will help seal in the color since it provides the barrier from the contaminant and the swimsuit. Do this step a day before your scheduled swim. In a bucket, Submerge the swimsuit in the mixture for at least 30 minutes. From time to time, jolt the swimsuit up and down from the water to make sure every nook and cranny is targeted. After the process, rinse in cold water, wring it gently then let it dry.

Keep the sunscreen for your skin – not for your swimsuit.

Sunscreen can contain a lot of oils and moisturizing ingredients that may be beneficial for your skin, but we cannot say the same thing for your swimsuit. This is one common cause of swimsuit bleeding since, let’s face it, we’re always excited to put it on! Hold your horses and apply your sunscreen before you slip on your sexy bikini. Wait a couple of minutes for your skin to entirely soak in your sunblock before putting your swimsuit on. When you reapply sunscreen at any time of the day, just make sure you won’t smear it on your swimsuit.

Rinse with your swimsuit before you take a dip.

After applying sunblock, the next order of business most probably is taking a splash in the pool or the ocean. It’s high time to get your swimsuit wet! A dry swimsuit will absorb the most in the first dip. If your bikini will be dipped in chlorine or salt water first, this will heighten the risk of bleeding. To be sure that your swimsuit’s hues will stay intact even after taking a splash, shower with cold tap water before you head out to the pool or the ocean. Because it is already drenched, this will lessen the chances of soaking up harmful substances from the pool and the ocean.

A towel might be your swimsuit’s best friend.

A towel has a couple of advantageous uses for your swimsuit to keep its color. In between swimsuit changes, after getting your swimsuit drenched, another trick of the trade is a towel roll. Lay your wet swimwear on a dry towel. Then, from each end of the towel, roll the excess water from the bathing suit and let the towel absorb it. After it has absorbed a considerable amount of water, let it dry.

Towels should also be used when you decide to lounge around the surface of the pool or near the shore. This will avoid direct contact to salt water and chlorine even if you are sitting on trickles of water left on the edges of the pool or the wet sand. Bring a towel that is specifically for your swimsuit on these occasions and you’ll witness that it will be as bright as you first laid your eyes on it.

Already rinsed? Repeat!

When you decide to draw the curtains after a long day in the sun, the sea or the pool, caring for your swimsuit does not end there. Before you take off your swimsuit, rinse it with cold water just like what you did beforehand. Most likely, there will be showers strategically places around the pool or the beach. Drop by one of those units and get a good rinse after you head back to your room or the car. This step is important in order to get the plethora of chlorine, salt water, dirt and oils from your swimsuit and thus will help preserve it for the long run. When you finally remove your swimsuit, let it air dry before you pack it.

Hot water? Not so ‘hot’ for your bikini.

Hot water is not the friendliest to your psychedelic bikini. It is advisable to keep away from jacuzzi’s and the like when wearing your most colorful numbers. If you cannot resist the urge of immersing in a luxurious jacuzzi, consider throwing on your older swimsuits as opposed to your fresh ones.

Always check the label.

You’ve followed every step and yet your swimsuit comes out faded when you take it out of the washer. You might be doing your bathing suit laundry all wrong. Take the time to read and understand the care instructions found in your swimsuit’s label before you let it spin. Because swimsuits are manufactured differently and come in varied fabrics, each might have a different care instruction. Some may require you to hand wash, some may suggest that you turn your swimsuit inside out before you wash it or put it in with the rest of your laundry. If it does not provide any, always use gentle bath soap or baby shampoo with cold water to wash your swimsuit. Pay special attention to your suit's lining when washing it. Clean the lower area and molded bra cups to remove any excess sweat, chlorine, or sand. Rinse your swimsuit out with fresh water.

Bonus tips:

• Keep an older swimsuit with you to use in chlorinated pools, water parks, or other places where you'll be spending most of your time in the water.
• Carry your newer swimsuit in a mesh bag or breathable garment bag to store your swimsuit after rinsing it out. Packing your swimsuit in luggage can trap water and cause bacteria and mold to grow into the fabric.

A swimsuit lover’s wish is to keep her favorite swimsuit for eternity. As much as that is a shot out of the blue, it pays to take care of your swimwear to keep a long and lasting relationship with it. These steps will not keep it in mint condition forever as swimsuits are always prone to wear and tear, especially when you use it to its fullest, season after season. It is worth going to the lengths of following these bleeding preventive measures so you can fully and truly enjoy your colorful and sexy bikini.