The holidays are here, and you’ve found your poolside answer to the little black dress.
It’s the perfect bathing suit, and it fits in all the right places. The color is spot on! The impressed glances? Well, what more could you ask for?
But you have a nagging feeling that maybe, just maybe, it’s too perfect. You’re afraid to get it wet and risk never feeling the sense of swimsuit satisfaction again!
But considering the time and money you invested in finding the right swimwear, chances are good the designer must have thought through the suit, too, to ensure it stays in great shape for a long time. Here are a few tips to keep your suit in prime condition, in the pool and out:
- Before you even wear it, soak your bathing suit for 30 minutes in a solution of one tablespoon of white vinegar to a quart of water. This will set the color, which is especially important if you’re going to use a hot tub!
- At the poolside, bring along a towel for sitting on concrete, wood or any other suit-snagging surfaces. Don’t take a chance!
- When you’re done swimming–or even sunbathing!–immediately rinse your suit. Chlorine, sunscreen, lotion and even natural body oil can do a real number on your suit. When it’s time to launder the suit, hand-wash it using a mild soap rather than a harsh laundry detergent. After rinsing it, roll the suit in a towel to soak up the excess water before laying it flat to air-dry.
- Leave it alone for at least 24 hours, especially if it’s made with a memory-fabric such as Spandex. it needs at least that long to spring back to its original shape.
Swimsuit saved!
