Effective Ways to Dry Swimsuits Fast (Without Ruining Them)

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: May 13, 2022 References

No one wants to put on a slightly damp swimsuit day after day, so getting it dry quickly is important! While you could toss it in the dryer, that tends to cause a lot of damage and might even ruin your suit over time. Thankfully, there’s a way to help your suit dry faster without damaging its elasticity or fading its color. Plan on spending an extra 5-10 minutes rinsing, rolling, and laying out your suit after each swim session to keep it in prime condition.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Quick Drying Techniques

1
Rinse your suit in cool water to remove any residual chlorine or saltwater. You could wear your suit in the shower and let cool water run over it for a few minutes, or take it off and rinse it in the sink. This process gets rid of chlorine, saltwater, sunscreen, and other oils that could damage the elasticity or color of your suit over time.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- If you spend a lot of time in chlorinated water, consider investing in de-chlorinating drops. Add 1-2 drops to a sink filled with cold water and soak your suit for 10-15 minutes. There’s no need to rinse the suit with fresh water afterward.
2
Roll your suit in a clean, dry towel to remove excess water. It’s super tempting to grab and twist your suit to expunge all that extra water once you’re done swimming, but doing so can really damage your suit. Instead, lay down a clean, dry towel. Lay your swimsuit on top of the towel. Roll up the towel so it encases your suit—the towel will absorb a lot of the water left in your suit!^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Never wring out your swimsuit to make it dry faster. You’ll stretch the fibers and won’t gain much in drying time.
- You can gently squeeze the towel to help it absorb more water, but don’t twist it.
Advertisement
3
Lay your suit on top of a separate dry towel on a flat surface. Grab another clean, dry towel and set it down on a flat surface. Try to choose a space that won’t be damaged by moisture that might seep through the towel. Unwrap your suit from the towel it was rolled up in and spread it out on the new towel.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- If you do a lot of laundry where things need laid flat to dry, you might want to invest in a flat drying rack. It’s good for swimsuits, sweaters, and other items you don’t want to hang dry.
4
Turn on a fan near your suit to help it dry faster. If your suit is outdoors and there’s a bit of a breeze, that’s great! If you’re drying it indoors, turn on a ceiling fan or bring in a standing fan to increase the circulation in the room.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- If you’re drying your suit outdoors, keep it out of direct sunlight. Although the sun’s rays will dry it faster, they can also fade and damage your suit.^{[5]
  X
  Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Protecting Your Suit

1
Keep your swimsuit out of the drying machine. The high heat can easily damage your suit’s elasticity and cause it to wear out quickly. If you have no other choice and have to dry your suit right now, tumble dry on a no-heat setting for the least amount of damage.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- It’s tempting to toss your suit into the dryer and forget about it, but try to take a few extra minutes at the end of the day to lay out your suit on a dry towel and let it air dry overnight.
2
Maintain your suit’s color by keeping it out of the sun. Your suit will get some sun exposure when you wear it outdoors, which is totally fine! But when it comes time to dry it out, skip laying it out on a beach chair or outdoor railing. The sun’s rays will fade your suit’s color quickly and make it look worn out.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- If you decide to dry your suit outside, put it somewhere shaded where it won’t be in direct sunlight.
3
Protect your suit’s shape and elasticity by not hanging it to dry. It’s super common to want to toss a wet suit over a deck railing, a curtain rod, or on a hook. However, the weight of the water pulling on your suit will stretch it out and mess up the straps or body, making them bigger or misshapen.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Especially avoid hanging your suit from a metal rod or hook. The reaction between the metal and water could irreparably stain your suit with rust.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
4
Wash your suit by hand whenever possible to protect its elasticity and color. The agitation from a washing machine can be super rough on a swimsuit.^{[10]
X
Research source} Fill a sink with cold water and add a capful of a mild detergent. Soak the suit for 30 minutes, then rinse it out with cold water.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Make sure your sink is clean before you wash your suit. The last thing you want is leftover food or grease mixing with the water and getting onto your suit.^{[12]
  X
  Research source}