The most sustainable garment is the one that lasts.
We say this often — and we mean it seriously. A piece that fits perfectly for years conserves more resources than any good raw material when it has to be replaced after one season. However, longevity is not a promise that lies solely in the fabric. It also arises from the small habits afterwards — at the shower, on the drying rack, in the wardrobe.
The good news: It is easier than most think. And it takes hardly longer than half a minute.
First: What really affects your swimsuit.
Swimwear is a precise piece of textile engineering. It is mostly made of nylon (polyamide), which provides shape and support, and a small percentage of elastane, which ensures the flattering fit. It is precisely this elastane that is the most sensitive part of the fabric — and the one that needs to be protected.
Four things attack it: Chlorine, saltwater, sunscreen, and heat. How severe this is is shown by a sobering number: After about 300 hours of chlorine and sun exposure — equivalent to about 35 summer days — the strength of swimwear fabric can decrease by up to 65%. The good news is: Almost every one of these attacks can be repelled with a single habit.
1. Rinse — immediately, in cool water, every time.
The most important and by far the most effective step: rinse your swimwear in cool or lukewarm water immediately after swimming. This removes chlorine, salt water, sunscreen, and skin oils before they can damage the fibers. Important: never hot — Heat makes the fibres brittle and stretches the elastane.
A pro trick even saves time: Rinse the piece on your body while you’re showering off after swimming anyway. This one 30-second habit determines more about the lifespan of your piece than anything else.
2. Hand wash, mild, cool.
A complete wash is not needed after every swim — regular rinsing is more important than frequent washing. Every two to three times is sufficient, or whenever a lot of sunscreen, body oil, or chlorine has been involved.
Then hand wash, in cool water, with a mild detergent. What you should avoid: no bleach (it hardens and yellows elastane), no fabric softener (it leaves a film over the pores of the fabric, trapping odours and attacking the elastane), and no strongly acidic or alkaline agents. For stubborn chlorine smells, a splash of white vinegar in the water helps — the mild acid neutralises the chlorine without damaging the fibre.
3. Never wring.
As tempting as it is to twist the water out — wringing twists and permanently stretches the fibres. Instead, gently press the piece out. Even gentler: lay the piece flat in a dry towel, roll it up, and carefully press out the moisture.
4. Dry in the shade, lying flat.
Heat is the silent enemy. The dryer is off-limits — the heat makes the elastane brittle, and the piece loses shape and support. But direct sunlight also harms: UV radiation further breaks down the elastane and causes colours to fade, even after swimming. Therefore, dry your swimwear lying flat in the shade, in a breezy place. We advise against hanging it up — the wet weight will distort the piece over time.
5. Store in a dry and dark place.
For the break between two summers: The piece must be completely dry before storing, otherwise mould spots may form. Then store flat in a cool, dark place — away from rough surfaces that could roughen the fabric.
A word about good fabrics.
You might think: My piece is made of high-quality, chlorine-resistant material — do I really have to do all this? The honest answer: yes. Even the best fibres are not indestructible; they need the right care to reach their longevity potential. An excellent fabric forgives more and ages slower — but it does not exempt you from the five simple habits. On the contrary: It rewards you with many more summers.
Why this matters to us.
It would be easier to advise you to buy new things more often. But that would contradict everything Sirenite stands for. A piece that accompanies you for years — to the same bays, through the same waters — is worth more than ten that last a summer. Care is not a tedious fine print. It is the continuation of a good design by other means.
Take good care of your favourite piece. It will thank you for many summers.