Harmful Chlorine Effects on Your Swimsuit

Have you ever wondered if chlorine can harm or even ruin your swimsuit? The answer is a flat out yes. Chlorine effects on your swimsuit are many. Chlorine can cause a great deal of harm to your bathing suit over time. When your swimsuit is constantly in contact with chlorine and other chemicals, the elastic in your bathing suit begins to stretch, the fabric becomes weakened and the color fades. The fabric of your swimsuit determines the amount and speed of the damage that may occur.

Swimsuit Fabrics Matter

Swimsuits are made of a variety of fabrics. A swimsuit fabric will play a significant role in the rate at which the bathing suit is impacted by chlorine or other chemicals. Not only the fabric itself, but the quality of the suit contributes as well. With that said, the team here at Jimmy’s Cleaners and Alterations wants to share some important insight with our clients on chlorine and a variety of related bathing suit topics.

Removing Chlorine from Your Bathing Suit

There are a few simple ways to get chlorine off of your favorite bathing suit.

• Cold water makes a difference – Wash your bathing suit with fresh cold water once you have finished swimming. Cold freshwater will remove the chlorine if you immediately wash your swimsuit. This also helps to keep the original shape and size of your suit in place. As a note, warm water will loosen the elastic in your bathing suit, causing the size and elasticity to be stretched.
• Hand washing is the best – You should always wash your bathing suit by hand and avoid using a washing machine of any type. Washing machines tend to be very harsh on swimsuits which can result in your having to purchase swimsuits more frequently. Hand washing suits, especially those that are made of nylon, is the best and most practical way to clean and care for them.
• Use white vinegar with cold water if need be – Rather than going out and investing in dechlorinating products, you can simply mix white vinegar with your cold water. This combination will remove any chlorine as well as salt from your swimsuit, making it look like new. Just soak your swimsuit in the cold water mixed with ¾ cup of white vinegar for 30 minutes. Then rinse the suit with fresh cold water and lay it out to dry.

What Effect Does Chlorine Have on Fabrics?

Chlorine of any type can cause grave harm to fabrics. It can weaken the fabric fibers, fade the colors desperately and even wear holes in the fabrics. There are a few things you can do to protect your swimsuit from chlorine effects. You should start by showering before you go swimming. This will add a cool base to your swimsuit fabric. Once you have finished swimming be sure to rinse your bathing suit immediately in cold fresh water. Gently wash the suit by hand and then rinse it out completely. Be sure to drip dry your bathing suit, rotating it as necessary. Never put your swimsuit into a dryer.

White Bathing Suits Can Turn Yellow

Beware those white swimsuits can turn yellow from the chlorine in a pool. Simply put, swimming in a pool with chlorine is the equivalent of bleaching your swimsuit which will always result in a weakened fabric and, over time, in discoloration of the fabric as well.

Removing Sunscreen from Your Swimsuit

Most everybody uses sunscreen in the summer months and more times than not it gets on your favorite swimsuit. If this happens, moisten the sunscreen stain as soon as possible with a slightly warm water. This will loosen the fabric a bit. Then add some baking soda and a mild soap to the stain and scrub it gently. A toothbrush is an ideal scrubbing tool to use because of its bristles. When scrubbing with a toothbrush gently, you will notice the stain will be removed.

We Hope That Helps

Here at Jimmy’s Cleaners, we hope we have helped you to understand some important facts about chlorine effects on your favorite swimsuit and how to properly clean and care for them. Remember for all your dry-cleaning and laundry needs put your trust in the team here at Jimmy’s Cleaners and Alterations. Be sure to check out our weekly specials and take advantage of our convenient pick up and drop off services too. We look forward to serving you and hope you and your family have a safe and enjoyable summer season ahead! Keep those swimsuits looking like new by following these simple tips we shared above.