When it coes to packing have you always wondered how many swimwear pieces should you pack for your much deserved holiday in the sun? Followed by how often, and how is the best way to wash my bikini whilst away?
If you’re going for a week’s holiday, have at least 2-3 pieces of swimwear on rotation. This will allow for some fun mix-and-match styles and variation, whilst allowing you to keep pieces really clean.
Siobhan Hayman, Boux's in-house Senior Garment Technologist
Siobhan's second piece of advice:
Clean that Bikini / Swimsuit immediately, post swim / sunbathing.
Siobhan Hayman, Boux's in-house Senior Garment Technologist
So why is it important to wash your Bikini and/ or Swimsuit Straight Away?
- Go gently…hand wash only: We highly advise this over using a machine. Fill a basin or sink with cool water and a mild detergent specifically designed for delicates or swimwear. Avoid using harsh soaps or detergents, as they can be abrasive to the fabric.
- (Again, gently) agitate: Swish the swimwear around in the water, lightly squeezing and pressing it to remove any dirt or impurities. Avoid excessive rubbing or twisting, as it can cause damage or stretching.
- Rinse and rinse again: After washing, rinse the swimwear thoroughly with cool water to remove any soap residue. Ensure all the detergent is completely washed out.
- Avoid wringing: Avoid wringing out the swimwear. Instead gently squeeze the excess water from it. Wringing can damage the fabric and distort its shape, especially underwired bikinis.
- Dry flat: Lay the swimwear flat on a clean towel or hang it in a shaded area to dry. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can cause fading or colour distortion. Hanging it can stretch the fabric, so if possible, lay it flat.
- Ditch the dryer: While it may be tempting to use a dryer to speed up the drying process, we highly advise not to, no matter how tempting. High heat can damage the elastic fibres in swimwear, causing them to lose their stretch and fabulous fit.
- Handle with care: When handling wet swimwear, be gentle to prevent unnecessary stretching or damage to the fabric. Avoid rough surfaces and sharp objects that could snag or tear the material.
- No ironing: Swimwear is typically made of synthetic materials that can melt or warp when exposed to high heat. Therefore we strongly recommend not ironing your swimwear.
- Alternate between swimsuits: If you're on an extended vacation, it's a good idea to have multiple swimsuits (ideally 2 to 3 for a week's holiday) and alternate between them. This allows each suit to fully dry between uses and minimises wear and tear.
*All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 4,432 adults, 1,030 of which were females aged 18-44. Fieldwork was undertaken between 8th - 12th July 2022. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).