How to Wash Swimsuits in a Washing Machine | Keep Elastic & Color

Washing machine swimsuit care comes down to the label on the tag. If the care label says machine washable, a standard home washer does the job safely. The right settings protect the spandex and Lycra that keep a suit fitting well, and air-drying does more for longevity than any detergent. The steps below follow the consistent guidance from appliance makers and laundry experts.

The Best Washing Machine Settings for Swimwear

The safest machine setup pairs cold water with the gentlest cycle your washer offers. Hot water breaks down elastic fibers and fades colors fast, so the coldest setting is the rule unless the label says otherwise. The delicate or hand-wash cycle reduces the agitation that stretches straps and snags fabric.

Appliance manufacturers recommend machine washing swimwear on the delicate cycle with cold water. Samsung’s support guidance for washing machine use suggests using a mesh laundry bag for delicates to prevent snagging and tangling, and to select a cool temperature. Maytag’s laundry guidance similarly points to a gentle cycle with cold water for swimsuits, along with a mild detergent.

• Cycle: Delicate, gentle, or hand-wash — never normal or heavy-duty.
• Temperature: Cold, or the coldest setting available.
• Extras: Skip fabric softener entirely; it coats the elastic and shortens its life.
• Spin: Use the lowest spin speed if your washer offers it, or skip spin if the label warns against wringing the suit.

How to Machine Wash a Swimsuit in 7 Steps

Follow this sequence in order for the cleanest, safest result. It works for swim trunks, one-pieces, and bikinis alike when the care label permits machine washing.

1. Rinse the suit in cool fresh water right after wearing to flush out chlorine, salt, and sand. This removes most of the damage-causing residue before the wash even starts.
2. Check the care label for washing instructions. If it says hand-wash only, skip the machine entirely to avoid voiding the suit’s shape.
3. Turn the swimsuit inside out so the color-facing side is protected from friction against other items.
4. Place the suit inside a mesh laundry bag. The bag stops straps from tangling around other clothes and reduces stretching and snagging.
5. Add a mild detergent — ideally one made for delicates or swimwear. Use less than you would for a regular load; swimsuits are small and lightly soiled after a pre-rinse.
6. Run the delicate cycle with cold water and the lowest spin setting available. Never combine swimwear with heavy items like jeans or towels, which can beat the fabric and distort it.
7. Remove the suit promptly when the cycle ends and air-dry it flat. Leaving it damp in the washer invites mildew and lets the weight of water stretch the fabric.

Our tested picks for the best swimsuit detergent cover which mild formulas protect elastic best if you want a specific recommendation.

Common Mistakes That Ruin Swimsuits in the Washer

Most swimwear damage in a washing machine comes from a handful of repeatable errors. Knowing them gives you the full picture of what to avoid.

• Hot water — destroys elastic fibers and bleeds color out of the fabric.
• Normal or heavy-duty cycles — the agitation stresses seams and stretches straps.
• Skipping the mesh bag — increases snagging, tangling, and stretching risk.
• Bleach or fabric softener — bleach eats the dye; softener gunks up the elastic.
• Tumble-drying — the heat shrinks and warps swimwear. Always air-dry flat in a cool, shaded spot; direct sun can fade colors on some fabrics.
• Washing with heavy items — towels and jeans abrade the delicate fabric.

One common question is whether to wash swimsuits with other clothes at all. Most guidance says wash men’s swim trunks with other delicates, but for women’s suits with bra cups or delicate straps, washing them alone in a mesh bag is safer because the cups can deform against heavier items.

The full picture comes down to the garment’s construction. Suits with molded cups, underwires, or delicate elastic straps are the most fragile in a machine. For those, hand-washing in cold water with a mild detergent remains the gentlest route if the label warns against machine care. Wirecutter’s swimsuit washing guide covers this distinction in detail and recommends hand-washing when the care tag is ambiguous.

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