There’s nothing worse than finding the bikini, wearing it all summer, and then realising it’s lost its shape, faded, or started looking a little worse for wear.
The good news? Your bikini probably doesn’t need replacing nearly as often as you think.
A little extra care can make a huge difference to how long your swimwear stays looking and feeling good. And because we make our bikinis to be worn, re-worn and lived in, we’ve put together our guide to keeping yours in rotation for as long as possible.
1. Rinse it after every swim
This is probably the easiest thing you can do to extend the life of your bikini.
After swimming, give your bikini a good rinse in cool, fresh water. Salt water, chlorine, sunscreen and oils can all put extra stress on swimwear fabric over time.
You don't need anything fancy. Just fresh water and a quick rinse before you throw it in your beach bag.
2. Skip the washing machine
We know. The washing machine is tempting.
But bikinis are delicate, and the heat, spinning and friction of a machine can gradually damage the fabric and elastic.
Instead, hand wash your bikini gently in cool water. If it needs a little more than a rinse, use a small amount of mild detergent and gently work it through the fabric.
No aggressive scrubbing required.
3. Don't wring it out
When your bikini is soaking wet, it's tempting to twist it out like you're trying to get the last drop of water from a towel.
Don't.
Wringing can stretch the fabric and affect the shape of your bikini. Instead, gently squeeze out excess water and leave it to dry naturally.
4. Keep it out of the tumble dryer
Heat isn't your bikini's best friend.
Always let your swimwear air dry naturally. Avoid tumble dryers, radiators and other high-heat spots that can affect the fabric and elastic.
And while we're at it...
5. Don't leave it baking in the sun
We fully support spending an unreasonable amount of time in the sun.
Your bikini? Slightly less enthusiastic.
Leaving swimwear in direct sunlight for long periods can contribute to fading and fabric deterioration. Once you've finished swimming, take it out of the sun when you can and let it dry somewhere shaded.
Especially if you've found a Lamu print you really don't want to see fade.
6. Be careful with sunscreen and oils
Sunscreen is non-negotiable. Bikini damage is preferable to sun damage, every time.
That said, oils, lotions and some sunscreen ingredients can stain or affect swimwear fabric over time. Give your sunscreen a little time to absorb before putting your bikini on where possible, and rinse your swimwear after wearing it.
7. Give it a break
We get it. When you've found a bikini you love, you want to wear it everywhere.
But rotating between a few bikinis gives each one time to fully dry and recover between wears. It's also a great excuse to build a slightly ridiculous bikini collection.
We're not here to judge.
8. Store it properly
Once your bikini is completely dry, store it somewhere cool and dry.
Avoid leaving it scrunched up in a damp beach bag for days. We've all done it, but your bikini will not thank you.
If you're packing it away at the end of summer, make sure it's completely clean and dry before storing it.
Why we care about this at Lamu Swim
We chose recycled fabrics for Lamu Swim because we wanted to create swimwear that was better for the planet without compromising on how it looks, feels or fits.
Our bikinis use recycled materials including REPREVE® and ECONYL® regenerated nylon, and we want every piece to be something you reach for season after season.
Because sustainability isn't only about what a bikini is made from.
It's also about buying pieces you genuinely love, looking after them properly, and keeping them in your wardrobe for longer.
So rinse your bikini. Let it dry in the shade. Don't throw it in the washing machine. And, most importantly, wear the hell out of it.
See you by the water 🌊
Lamu Swim x
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