DIY Life

A great-fitting swimsuit is well worth some TLC. Quality suits don't usually come cheap, so protect your investment! And, hey, even if you got your favorite swimsuit for a song, you'll still want to make it last, summer after wonderful summer. Here are a few tips to keep your suit looking brand new!

1. Avoid sitting directly on concrete or other rough pool-surround materials. If you must, at least don't ever scoot forward or back on your butt. Try sitting on a towel to protect your suit's seat.

2. Keep your favorite suit out of the hot tub. Heat damages the fabric, reducing its elasticity. Use an older suit for soaking in the hot tub and reserve your favorite/s for beach and pool-side fun.

3. Chlorine, sweat and the oils contained in sun block damage swimsuit fabric, too. Rinse your suit thoroughly with lots of clean, cold water as soon as you're done wearing it.

4. When you do get around to giving your swimsuit a thorough wash, use a mild soap. (No bleach!) Playing it safe? Hand washing in cold water is the recommended method, and many sources will tell you machine-washing is a big no-no, but...

5. I, personally, see no harm in machine-washing swimsuits if it is done with extreme care. Only wash in cold water and always set your machine to the hand wash cycle. For extra protection, use a lingerie bag to make sure the material doesn't get stretched or twisted.

6. Never dry a bathing suit in the clothes dryer or leave it drying in direct sun for long periods. The intense heat may damage the fabric, while prolonged UV exposure causes fading. Air-dry instead, either in a shady spot outdoors or somewhere indoors.

7. To get excess water out of a suit in quick time, do not wring it out with your hands. Instead, roll it up inside a large towel and walk up and down it in your bare feet. This will press most of the water out of the suit super-speedily without twisting or stretching the fabric.

8. Shopping for a new suit? Invest in a quality brand, whose suits will likely have a higher spandex content (so keeping their shape longer) than cheapo equivalents. These suits are often resistant to chlorine damage, too, which is a big plus and definitely worth paying more for!