How to Care for Your Swimwear So It Lasts for Years

Premium swimwear is an investment. A well-made pair of swim briefs — like those handcrafted by CIRCA75 in Sydney — can last for years if you treat them right. The problem is that most men don't. They throw their briefs in the washing machine, leave them in a wet bag, or dry them in direct sun, and then wonder why the fabric has gone saggy and the colour has faded after one summer.

This guide covers everything you need to know to keep your swimwear looking and performing like new — season after season.

The Four Enemies of Swimwear

Before we get into care instructions, it helps to understand what actually damages swimwear fabric. There are four main culprits:

• Chlorine — Pool chemicals break down elastane fibres over time, causing the fabric to lose its stretch and shape. Even chlorine-resistant fabric needs to be rinsed promptly after pool use.
• Sunscreen and body oils — These coat the fabric fibres and are surprisingly difficult to remove. Left to build up, they degrade the material and cause discolouration.
• Heat — Hot water, tumble dryers, and direct sunlight all break down fabrics and cause colours to fade. Heat is one of the fastest ways to ruin good swimwear.
• Salt water — Like chlorine, salt is corrosive to fabric fibres. Ocean swimmers need to rinse just as promptly as pool swimmers.

Rinse Immediately After Every Swim

This is the single most important thing you can do. As soon as you're out of the water — pool, ocean, or otherwise — rinse your swimwear in cold fresh water. This removes chlorine, salt, and sunscreen before they have a chance to set into the fabric.

Don't leave your wet briefs in a bag or rolled up in a towel for hours. The longer chlorine and salt sit in the fabric, the more damage they do.

Hand Wash in Cold Water

Machine washing is one of the most common ways men damage their swimwear. The agitation of a washing machine — even on a gentle cycle — stresses the fabric and elastic, causing it to lose shape faster than it should.

Instead, hand wash in cold water with a small amount of mild detergent or a dedicated swimwear wash. Gently work the fabric with your hands, paying attention to the waistband and lining where sunscreen and body oils tend to accumulate. Rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear.

If you must machine wash, use a mesh laundry bag, the gentlest cycle available, and cold water only. But hand washing is always preferable.

Never Use a Tumble Dryer

Heat is the enemy of most fabrics. A tumble dryer — even on a low setting — will degrade the stretch fibres in your swimwear rapidly, causing the fabric to go baggy and lose its shape. The same applies to radiators and heated towel rails.

Always air dry your swimwear.

Dry Flat in the Shade

Direct sunlight fades colours and degrades fabric over time — ironic given that swimwear spends most of its life in the sun. When drying, lay your briefs flat in a shaded, well-ventilated spot rather than hanging them on a line or draping them over a railing in full sun.

Hanging wet swimwear can also distort the shape, particularly around the waistband, as the weight of the water pulls the fabric down.

Don't Wring or Twist

When removing excess water after washing, resist the urge to wring your swimwear out. Twisting the fabric stresses the fibres and elastic. Instead, gently press the water out by folding the brief and applying light pressure, or roll it in a clean towel to absorb the moisture.

Rotate Your Swimwear

If you swim regularly, having two or three pairs in rotation makes a significant difference to longevity. Swimwear fabric needs time to recover its elasticity between wears — wearing the same pair every day doesn't give the fibres time to bounce back. Rotating pairs extends the life of each one considerably.

A Note on CIRCA75 Fabric

CIRCA75 swim briefs are made from a high-quality chlorine-resistant polyester fabric specifically engineered to withstand the demands of regular swimming. Unlike cheaper swimwear that uses standard polyester or nylon blends, our fabric is treated to resist chlorine degradation, colour fading, and pilling.

That said, even the best fabric benefits from proper care. Follow the steps above and your CIRCA75 briefs will reward you with years of performance.

Quick Reference: Swimwear Care Dos and Don'ts

• ✔ Rinse in cold fresh water immediately after swimming
• ✔ Hand wash in cold water with mild detergent
• ✔ Dry flat in the shade
• ✔ Rotate between multiple pairs if you swim regularly
• ✘ Machine wash (if avoidable)
• ✘ Tumble dry or use a heated dryer
• ✘ Wring or twist the fabric
• ✘ Dry in direct sunlight
• ✘ Leave wet swimwear in a bag or rolled in a towel

Ready to invest in swimwear worth looking after? Browse the CIRCA75 Swim Briefs collection — handmade in Sydney, built to last.