I've had a few favorite suits last for years, following these rules
- Be prepared to sacrifice any suit you wear to the beach. Sand can destroy a Speedo in one day.
- Never expose them to hot water. That includes hot tubs and showers.
- Rinse in cold water. Leaving the suit in the sink for awhile leaches out the pool water.
- Don't machine wash, even in cold water. The agitator beats up the Lycra.
- If there's a hint of chlorine smell, use a swimsuit protective product (available from most swim stores). Alternatively, a very mild soap like shampoo.
- It's OK to blot the suit with a towel to speed drying, but don't stretch it or leave it rolled in the towel.
- Air dry but not in the sun.
(When I say I've had suits last for years, that means they are in the rotation of the 10 or 20 suits I wear lap swimming. I like to buy new suits, so sometimes a suit gets sacrificed in a hot tub just to keep the inventory manageable.)
|