How to care for swimwear after the pool and the sea

Proper swimwear care after the pool and the sea comes down to three steps: rinse it straight away, wash it gently, and dry it away from sun and heat. That is exactly why the question of how to care for a swimsuit after the sea is not the same as ordinary washing: speed matters, and so does careful handling at every stage.

The Anabel Arto range includes both bikinis and one-piece swimsuits, and some styles are made from materials such as microfibre with polyamide and elastane, as well as structural details such as inserts, neatly finished edges, decorative lacing and detachable straps. That matters in practice: these pieces hold their shape beautifully, but they do need delicate care after contact with salt and chlorine.

What to do straight after the pool or the sea

One of the most common mistakes is leaving a wet swimsuit in a bag or beach tote until the evening. During that time, salt and chlorine continue to work their way through the fibres, and in areas where the fabric is folded or sits tightly against the body, elasticity is lost more quickly. Anabel Arto recommends rinsing your swimsuit in cool water immediately after leaving the pool or the sea, in order to wash away any traces of salt and chlorine.

If you cannot wash the piece properly straight away, a thorough rinse in clean, cool water is enough for the moment. It is not a full substitute for proper care, but it does significantly reduce the strain on the fabric until you are able to deal with it properly at home. This is especially important for styles with lining, inserts, decorative details and more complex cuts.

How to wash a swimsuit properly

In practice, the best option is hand washing in cool water with a mild detergent free from harsh ingredients. Put very simply, the right way to wash a swimsuit is this: no hot water, no vigorous rubbing, and no attempt to scrub it “until it squeaks clean”. Swimwear does not need harsh treatment, because its main risks are not ordinary dirt, but damage to the elastic fibres.

It is also worth remembering that sun creams and tanning oils can affect the fabric too. Anabel Arto recommends applying such products in advance and allowing them to absorb into the skin, so that they come into less contact with the material. It is a simple habit that helps preserve the look of the garment just as much as careful washing does.

What not to do

After the pool or the sea, it is tempting to dry a swimsuit as quickly as possible, but this is often the stage where the most damage is done. Do not wring the fabric out, and do not dry it on a radiator, with a hairdryer or in direct sunlight. It is also best not to leave a wet swimsuit folded up for long periods, as that keeps the fabric exposed to salt, chlorine and moisture for longer.

It is equally important to avoid contact with aggressive household chemicals. If you are tempted to use a stronger product to “freshen up the colour”, it is best to stop there: choices like that often explain why lingerie and swimwear wear out quickly, even when the piece itself was originally well made. With delicate items, gentle but regular care almost always works better than occasional harsh treatment.

How to dry and store swimwear properly

A swimsuit is best dried in the shade, laid out flat and protected from overheating. This helps preserve the fit, prevents the cups from becoming distorted, and avoids putting extra strain on the areas where the fabric already stretches the most. If the style has inserts, an asymmetric cut, decorative lacing or a more complex bust shape, careful drying becomes especially important.

Once the swimsuit is completely dry, it is best stored separately from damp towels, hard hardware and anything that could snag the fabric. This approach is not only useful for swimwear, but also shows more generally how to make lingerie and delicate garments last longer when they are under daily strain in terms of both shape and fabric.

Summary

Caring for swimwear after the pool or the sea is not difficult, but it does need to be done promptly: a cool rinse straight after swimming, gentle hand washing, careful drying in the shade and tidy storage really do help preserve the garment’s appearance for longer. For Anabel Arto styles made from microfibre, with elastic fibres, inserts and well-designed fit, this approach is especially important because it supports not only cleanliness, but also the way the piece sits on the body. Once care becomes a habit, a swimsuit stays comfortable, neat and polished-looking for much longer.