How to Care for Terry Cloth Swimwear: 5 Easy Steps

Dive into Longevity: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Your Terry Cloth Swimwear

Terry cloth swimwear has splashed onto the scene, bringing a nostalgic, textural twist to poolside glamour. From chic bikinis to retro-inspired one-pieces, this unique fabric offers a cozy, absorbent feel that’s as practical as it is fashionable. But its plush, looped construction requires a specific care routine to maintain its softness, shape, and vibrant color. Unlike traditional Lycra or nylon swimwear, you can’t just toss it in the wash and hope for the best.

This definitive guide will take you step-by-step through the five essential practices for preserving your terry cloth swimwear, ensuring it looks brand new, season after season. We’ll move beyond the generic “wash on cold” advice and provide a clear, actionable roadmap to protect your investment. Get ready to master the art of terry cloth care and keep your favorite suit feeling as luxurious as the day you bought it.

Step 1: The Immediate After-Swim Rinse – Your First Line of Defense

The single most important action you can take to prolong the life of your terry cloth swimwear happens the moment you step out of the water. Chlorine, saltwater, sunscreen, and body oils are the primary culprits behind fabric degradation and discoloration. They weaken the elastic fibers and can leave your suit feeling stiff and looking faded. An immediate, thorough rinse is your first and best defense against these damaging agents.

Why it’s Crucial: Chlorine is a bleach, and saltwater is corrosive. Leaving them to sit in your suit’s fibers for hours allows them to break down the fabric, leading to a loss of elasticity and color. Sunscreen, a mix of oils and chemicals, can cause stubborn stains that set into the terry loops.

How to Do It Right:

• Rinse Immediately: As soon as you’re done swimming, head to a shower or a sink. Do not let the suit sit in a crumpled heap in your beach bag.

• Use Cold, Running Water: The goal is to flush out the chemicals and salts. Hot water can set stains and further damage the elastic. Use a steady stream of cold water.

• Focus on Compression, Not Scrubbing: Gently squeeze the water through the fabric to push out the impurities. For example, if you have a terry cloth bikini top, hold a section of the cup under the running water and gently press down with your other hand. This forces the water through the terry loops, carrying away the chlorine and salt. Repeat this for all sections of the suit. Avoid rubbing the fabric together, as this can create friction and cause the loops to snag or pull.

• The “Soak” Method for Extra Protection: If you can’t rinse immediately, a quick 10-15 minute soak in a basin of cold water is a great alternative. This dilutes the chemicals and prevents them from setting into the fabric. After the soak, perform the compression rinse as described above.

Example in Action: You’ve just finished a day at the pool. Instead of tossing your wet suit into your tote, you head to the locker room. You turn on the cold shower and hold your terry cloth one-piece under the spray. You gently squeeze the water through the bodice, then the straps, and finally the bottom, ensuring every part of the fabric is saturated with clean water. You wring it out by rolling it into a log and squeezing, rather than twisting, to avoid stretching. This simple 60-second action has just saved your suit from a full day of chemical exposure.

Step 2: Hand Washing is Non-Negotiable – The Gentle Touch

While an immediate rinse is a great start, a proper hand wash is necessary to completely remove any remaining chemicals, oils, and lotions. Machine washing, even on a delicate cycle, is a huge risk for terry cloth swimwear. The agitation can snag the delicate loops, cause pilling, and stretch the elastic, leading to a misshapen suit. Hand washing gives you full control and ensures the integrity of the fabric is maintained.

Why it’s Crucial: The looped texture of terry cloth is its defining feature, but it’s also its greatest vulnerability. A washing machine’s rough action can pull these loops, creating runs or snags. This is similar to how a loose thread on a sweater can unravel the entire garment. Hand washing allows you to treat the fabric with the care it deserves, preserving its plush texture and form.

How to Do It Right:

• Gather Your Supplies: You’ll need a clean basin or sink, cold water, and a mild, pH-neutral soap specifically designed for delicate fabrics. Avoid harsh detergents, bleach, and fabric softeners. Fabric softeners can leave a residue that clogs the terry loops, reducing their absorbency and causing them to feel stiff.

• The Soap and Soak: Fill the basin with cold water and add a small, pea-sized amount of your chosen soap. Swish it around to create a light lather. Submerge your terry cloth swimsuit completely. Let it soak for no more than 15-20 minutes. This gives the soap time to gently lift the dirt and chemicals without damaging the fibers.

• The Gentle Cleanse: After the soak, use your fingers to gently massage the fabric, paying close attention to areas that may have more sunscreen or body oil, such as the bust and hip areas. Again, avoid scrubbing or rubbing the fabric together aggressively. The goal is a gentle agitation to aid the soap’s cleaning action.

• Rinse, Rinse, Rinse: Remove the suit from the soapy water. Empty the basin and refill it with clean, cold water. Submerge the suit and gently squeeze to push out the soapy water. Repeat this process 2-3 times until the water runs completely clear and all soap residue is gone.

• Avoid the Wring: The worst thing you can do at this stage is twist the suit to wring out the water. This can stretch the elastic fibers and distort the suit’s shape. Instead, gently roll the suit into a towel and press down to absorb the excess water.

Example in Action: After your initial post-swim rinse, you get home. You fill a clean sink with cool water and a few drops of a delicate laundry soap. You place your terry cloth skirt and bikini set into the water, letting them soak for 15 minutes. You then gently swirl the pieces around and lightly massage the fabric. You drain the soapy water, refill the sink with clean water, and rinse the pieces until no bubbles remain. Finally, you lay each piece flat on a clean, dry towel and roll them up, pressing firmly to remove the water without twisting.

Step 3: The Art of Drying – Flat and in the Shade

How you dry your terry cloth swimwear is just as critical as how you wash it. The high heat of a machine dryer is an absolute non-starter. It will shrink the fabric, melt the elastic fibers, and cause the terry loops to become brittle and hard. Even direct sunlight, while a natural drying agent, can cause significant damage. The sun’s UV rays can fade the colors and weaken the fibers over time.

Why it’s Crucial: Terry cloth’s looped construction, especially when wet, is heavy and prone to stretching. Hanging a wet terry cloth suit by its straps can cause them to elongate and lose their shape. A flat drying surface distributes the weight evenly, preventing this kind of distortion. Drying in the shade protects the vibrant colors and structural integrity of the fabric.

How to Do It Right:

• Squeeze, Don’t Twist: After your final rinse and towel press (from Step 2), your suit should be damp, not dripping wet.

• Choose a Flat Surface: Lay your terry cloth suit flat on a clean, dry towel. You can place it on a drying rack, a countertop, or even a clean floor, as long as it’s a flat surface.

• Reshape Gently: As you lay it flat, take a moment to gently pull and smooth the fabric back into its original shape. For a bikini top, for instance, you might adjust the cups and straps. For a one-piece, you might gently pull the torso section to prevent it from bunching up as it dries.

• Find a Shady, Well-Ventilated Spot: Place your drying rack or towel in a cool, shady area. A laundry room, a shaded porch, or a breezy spot indoors is perfect. The air circulation will help the suit dry naturally and evenly without the damaging effects of direct heat.

• Flip for an Even Dry: If the suit is particularly thick, flip it over after a few hours to ensure the underside also dries completely. This prevents mold and mildew from forming in any damp spots.

Example in Action: You’ve just finished the hand-washing process. You gently roll your terry cloth swimsuit in a towel to remove excess water. You then take it to your laundry room and lay it flat on a clean, mesh drying rack. You carefully smooth out the fabric, making sure the straps and seams are aligned. You let it air dry completely, checking on it a few hours later to flip it for a uniform dry.

Step 4: Storage Smartly – Protecting Your Off-Season Investment

Proper storage is the final piece of the puzzle for preserving your terry cloth swimwear. How you put your suit away at the end of the season can determine whether it’s ready to wear or ready for the trash next summer. Improper storage can lead to a host of problems, including permanent creases, a loss of elasticity, and the growth of mold or mildew.

Why it’s Crucial: Leaving a terry cloth swimsuit crumpled in a drawer for months can create deep, permanent creases that are difficult to remove. The elastic can also become brittle and lose its stretch if it’s stored in a compressed state for a long time. Furthermore, even the slightest bit of residual moisture can lead to a musty smell and the dreaded growth of mildew, ruining your suit entirely.

How to Do It Right:

• Ensure it’s Bone Dry: Before storing your suit, double-check that it is completely and utterly dry. Feel every part of the fabric, including the seams and any built-in padding, to ensure there is no lingering moisture. If there is, lay it out for a little longer.

• Fold, Don’t Crumple: Carefully fold the suit. For a bikini, you might fold the bottoms and top separately, or stack them neatly. For a one-piece, you can fold it in half lengthwise and then roll it loosely. The key is to avoid sharp creases.

• Use a Breathable Bag or Box: Store your terry cloth swimwear in a breathable cotton or mesh bag, or a box with good air circulation. Avoid airtight plastic bags, which trap any potential moisture and can cause mildew. The goal is to protect the suit from dust and snagging on other items while allowing it to breathe.

• Store in a Cool, Dark Place: Choose a spot in your closet or a drawer that is not exposed to direct sunlight and has a stable, cool temperature. Extreme heat can damage the elastic fibers, even in storage.

Example in Action: It’s the end of summer. You’ve followed all the steps to wash and dry your favorite terry cloth one-piece. Before putting it away for the season, you inspect it one last time to ensure it’s completely dry. You then gently fold it, avoiding any harsh folds, and place it in a small cotton drawstring bag. You store this bag in the back of your dresser drawer, where it will be safe from dust and heat until next year.

Step 5: The Stain-Fighting Strategy – Spot Treatment and Patience

Even with the best care, accidents happen. Sunscreen, oil, and food stains are common culprits that can mar the plush surface of your terry cloth swimwear. The key to successful stain removal is to act quickly and use the right approach. Aggressive scrubbing or using harsh chemicals will only set the stain and damage the fabric.

Why it’s Crucial: Terry cloth’s looped surface can hold onto stains stubbornly. If you scrub the stain with force, you can push the substance deeper into the fibers, making it permanent. Using a harsh stain remover can bleach the fabric or cause it to degrade. A gentle, targeted approach is always best.

How to Do It Right:

• Identify the Stain: Is it a greasy sunscreen stain, a food stain like a fruit smoothie, or something else? Knowing the type of stain will help you choose the right treatment.

• Act Immediately: The sooner you treat a stain, the higher your chances of success.

• The Sunscreen/Oil Stain Protocol: This is the most common and trickiest stain.

  1. Blot, Don’t Rub: First, use a clean cloth or paper towel to gently blot away any excess oil or sunscreen.

  2. Apply a Small Amount of Delicate Soap: Take a tiny amount of your mild, delicate soap and a small amount of cold water.

  3. Create a Paste: Mix a small amount of baking soda with water to form a paste.

  4. Targeted Application: Apply the paste directly to the stained area. Use your finger to gently dab it onto the stain, but do not rub it in. Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes.

  5. Rinse Thoroughly: After the time is up, rinse the area with cold, running water, using the same gentle compression method from Step 1. Repeat if necessary, but avoid multiple harsh applications.

• General Food/Beverage Stains: For things like coffee, wine, or fruit juice, a simple spot treatment with a delicate laundry soap is usually sufficient.

  1. Rinse from the Back: Turn the suit inside out and run cold water through the back of the stain. This pushes the stain out of the fabric instead of further in.

  2. Apply Soap: Gently work a small amount of your delicate soap into the stained area with your finger.

  3. Soak and Rinse: Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse it thoroughly with cold water.

Example in Action: You notice a small, greasy sunscreen stain on the hip of your terry cloth bikini bottoms. Instead of scrubbing it with a harsh detergent, you grab a tiny amount of delicate soap and make a small paste with baking soda. You gently dab it onto the stain and let it sit. After 15 minutes, you rinse the area from the inside out with cold water until the stain is gone. You then proceed with a full hand wash as outlined in Step 2.

The Lasting Appeal of Terry Cloth: A Final Word

Caring for terry cloth swimwear is less of a chore and more of a ritual. By following these five actionable steps, you’re not just cleaning a garment; you’re protecting a piece of fashion that offers a unique blend of style and comfort. The extra effort of hand washing and air drying is a small price to pay for a suit that retains its plush texture, vibrant color, and perfect fit for years to come. Your terry cloth swimwear is an investment in your personal style, and with this guide, you now have the tools to ensure that investment pays off, season after season.