How to Wash a Bikini So It Lasts Longer: Mistakes That Ruin Swimwear
ยท 6 min read
Some bikinis still look practically perfect after a whole summerโฆ and others, within a few weeks:
lose their colour
lose their shape
go see-through
stop fitting properly
or start looking "worn out" far too soon
And often the problem isn't the quality of the bikini.
Most of the time it simply happens because we don't look after them properly.
Sun, salt, chlorine and heat affect swimwear fabrics far more than you'd think. That's why knowing how to wash a bikini properly can make a huge difference to how long it lasts.
Especially if you have favourite bikinis you want to keep wearing summer after summer.
In this guide we explain how to wash your bikinis so they last longer, which mistakes to avoid and which care habits really help keep the colour, shape and fabric in good condition.
Why bikinis wear out so quickly
Bikinis are constantly exposed to:
salt water
chlorine
sun cream
heat
sweat
strong sun
sand
And all of that really wears down the fabric.
Especially in summer, when we wear them practically every day.
That's why, although they look like simple pieces, they actually need far more care than many people imagine.
The most common mistake: leaving your bikini damp for hours
Probably one of the most typical mistakes.
After the beach or pool, we often:
leave the bikini in the beach bag
roll it up wet
or leave it in the sun for hours
And that speeds up wear dramatically.
What happens when you do this
The fabric can:
lose its stretch
lose its shape
start to smell
deteriorate faster
lose colour intensity
Especially in light-coloured or brightly coloured bikinis.
The best thing to do when you get back from the beach
Ideally:
rinse the bikini as soon as possible
remove any salt or chlorine
let it dry properly
And that alone makes a big difference to how long it lasts.
How to wash a bikini properly
There's no need for anything complicated.
In fact, the gentler the wash, the better.
Ideally: hand wash
It's the option that does most to preserve:
the colour
the stretch
the shape
the texture of the bikini
How to do it right
All you need is:
cold or lukewarm water
a mild soap
a quick, gentle wash
There's no need to scrub hard.
Why hot water can damage your bikini
Heat really affects stretch fabrics.
And that can make your bikini:
stretch out sooner
lose its fit
lose its shape
lose its firmness
Especially bikinis in ribbed or textured fabric.
Can you put a bikini in the washing machine?
Yes, but it isn't really the best idea if you want it to last longer.
The washing machine:
wears down the fabric
affects the stretch
can misshape the cups
damages finishes more quickly
If you still use the washing machineโฆ
It's best to:
use a laundry bag
choose a delicate cycle
use cold water
avoid fast spins
But whenever you can, hand washing is usually far better.
Detergent matters too
Another very common mistake is using harsh detergents.
Especially:
bleach
strong stain removers
heavy fabric conditioners
Because they really damage swimwear fabric.
What's best for bikinis
These usually work best:
mild, pH-neutral soap
gentle detergent
products for delicates
How to dry a bikini properly
This is often the key to a bikini keeping its shape.
Never dry it in strong direct sun
Although it seems the most practical, strong sun can:
fade colours
stiffen fabrics
damage elastic fibres
Especially in brightly coloured bikinis or textured fabrics.
Best: dry it in the shade
Somewhere airy and not too hot.
Avoid the tumble dryer
The heat of a tumble dryer can really ruin the stretch.
Another typical mistake: wringing it out
Many people do this automatically.
But twisting your bikini can:
misshape it
stretch the fibres
make it lose its fit
It's usually best to:
press it gently
let the water drain out bit by bit
How to stop your bikini fading
Bikini colours really suffer from:
sun
salt
chlorine
chemical products
What helps most
rinsing it quickly after wearing
not leaving it in the sun for hours
washing it gently
not using hot water
How to store your bikinis properly
When summer ends, lots of people simply put them away damp or fold them any old how.
And that means that the following year they:
smell odd
have marks
have lost their stretch
The best way to store them
completely dry
somewhere cool
away from damp
without squashing the cups too much
Textured bikinis need extra care
Especially fabrics that are:
ribbed
raised
softly textured
Because they can lose their shape more easily if they're not cared for properly.
How to make a bikini last several summers
The key is usually small habits.
Rotate your bikinis
Always wearing the same bikini gives the fabric less time to recover.
Rinse it after every wear
Especially after:
the beach
the pool
a boat trip
beach clubs
Avoid rough surfaces
Rocks, pool edges and rough wood can really damage the fabric.
Sun cream affects your bikini too
Some sun creams can leave marks or affect certain colours.
Especially:
whites
beige
light shades
That's why it's often worth waiting a few minutes after applying sun cream before putting your bikini on.
How to tell if a bikini has been well cared for
You can usually tell straight away.
The bikini:
keeps its colour
still fits well
keeps its stretch
doesn't go see-through
keeps its lovely texture
And that means it still looks practically new even after several summers.
Caring for your bikini also makes the whole look better
Because a well-kept bikini:
fits better
keeps its shape
is more flattering
looks more elegant
And that changes the result of the whole look enormously.
A good bikini can last much longer than you'd think
We often think bikinis only last one season.
But when you really look after them, they can stay perfect for a very long time.
And in the end, small things like:
rinsing it quickly
washing it gently
drying it properly
avoiding too much heat
make far more difference than you'd think.
The best trick to make a bikini last is to treat it as a delicate
Because although we wear them for the beach, the pool or holidays, the truth is that swimwear fabrics need quite a lot of care.
And the better you look after them:
the better they'll keep their colour
the better they'll fit
the more comfortable they'll stay
and the longer they'll look lovely, summer after summer
Discover the Queltonbikini collection and choose comfortable, flattering designs that are perfect for enjoying summer in Mediterranean style, season after season.
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Same bikini, four bodies: who do you look most like?
Bust
70 cm115 cm
Waist
55 cm100 cm
Hips
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Size references
MarรญaXSSuj. 65/70 ยท Vaq. 32/34
JimenaSSuj. 85/90 ยท Vaq. 36
CarlotaMSuj. 90/95 ยท Vaq. 38
BlancaLSuj. 95/100 ยท Vaq. 40
Topโ
Bottomโ
Size guide (cm)
Size
Bust
Waist
Hips
Key rules
Your bust sets the top size ยท your hips set the bottom size
Between two sizes, always go for the larger one
Top and bottom can be ordered in different sizes
Metallic fabrics have less stretch: if in doubt, size up
Reyes ยท QueltonInstant answers
Shall we play? ๐ Take my **quick test** and I'll tell you **your perfect bikini**: the one that best suits your skin, hair, figure and style.
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Good question! We try to keep our sizes **like the big fashion brands**, so you'll usually wear **your usual size**. If you're between two, **go for the bigger one**.
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Let me tell you! Almost all our tops tie **at the neck and at the back**, so you adjust them to your body. Right now, the ones with **ties to adjust** are the **Revolve, Sheriff, Howdy and Wild West**; in other designs the bottom has an **adjuster** for a perfect fit. And all tops come with **cups (not padded)**, with an opening to remove them or add padding.
I totally get it, finding a bikini with good support is a real challenge! I'd go for the **sporty** or **triangle** tops, which **give great support**, and since almost all of them tie at the neck and back, you can make them **fit you perfectly**.
Don't worry! The **thong bottom isn't tiny**. And the **basic one is Brazilian style**: slightly cheeky but not too much, **just enough to flatter** ๐ If it's a tie-side, you can also adjust it at the sides.
I love that you asked! ๐ All our bikinis are **handmade**, most of them **in Portugal**. We source **the best fabrics in Europe**, mostly with **recycled fibres**, and every year we review our patterns **millimetre by millimetre**.
Not at all! ๐ **None of our bikinis are see-through**: they're all **lined** and come with **cups**, so nothing shows, not even wet or in light colours. If you don't like the cups you can remove them, and there's a pocket for padding.
Good question! It depends a lot on **how you care for it**. We use **the best fabrics in Europe** and test them for months, but it's normal for the metallic finish to lose some shine over the summers. To make it last: **hand wash it** (never in the machine), **don't dry it in the sun** or the dryer, and in winter store it **completely dry in its fabric bag**.
I love that you want to look after it! ๐ This way it'll last **many summers**:
๐ซงAlways hand wash it inside out, in cold water with a little soap only on stained areas. Never in the washing machine.
๐ซNo bleach, fabric softener or stain removers, and never in the dryer.
๐ค๏ธDry it inside out, in the shade and without pegs, with the elastics relaxed so they don't stretch.
๐In winter, store it completely dry in its fabric bag (included with every order).
Not at all! **They don't stretch out** ๐ Just dry them **without pegs** and with the elastics relaxed, and they'll last you **many summers**.
Yes! **All our bikinis are lined** ๐ค
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Of course! Just like any other bikini: you have **14 calendar days** to exchange or return it, in its original packaging with the hygiene sticker intact. The only exception is if its product page **expressly says no returns**.
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We started in **2020** as a hobby, and in **2025** we left everything to follow our dream: making bikinis that fit well ๐ **Thanks to you** we're here today.
We call it **iconic**! ๐ It's the pattern we started with, which is why it's so special. We bring it back **every year** with new metallics, lurex and **prints we design ourselves from scratch**. Want to see all our iconic bikinis?
The **Bronze**! ๐ซ It's a chocolate shade that **goes with everything** and **never goes out of style**: a staple you should have in your wardrobe. Just know **it always sells out**โฆ
Yes! ๐คฉ Over the years we've worked with **Carlota Maraรฑรณn, Lola Lolita, Aitana Soriano and Elena Gortari**, and even the stylist of **Aitana, the singer**, got in touch to style our bikinis for her music videos and trips! It's all on our **Wall of Fame**, along with the press we've been featured in.
We make **around 100 units of each design**, and almost all **sell out at launch** ๐ฅ So if you fall for one, **don't leave it for tomorrow**.
With your order we give you a **premium fabric bag** ๐ to keep your bikinis in a drawer over winterโฆ or to carry your spare bikini or anything else to the beach.
Yes! **It dries super fast** โ๏ธ So you go from the water to your towel, and from your towel to the beach bar, without staying wet for hours.
It depends what you're after! ๐ If your **legs are on the shorter side** and you want them to **look longer**, go for the **thong bottom**: it really lengthens the leg. If you prefer a bit more coverage, the **basic** is **Brazilian style**: slightly cheeky, **just enough to flatter**.
Great idea, the tan matters too! โ๏ธ I'd go for a **triangle top** with a **thong bottom**: it leaves the **fewest tan lines** and a **gorgeous tan**.
Love that you're so active! ๐ For **padel, surfing or beach volleyball** I'd go for the **sporty**, for the **support of the top**. Any **iconic triangle** with its **tie-free** bottom also works great, it doesn't move at all.
Don't worry! **They all stay in place** ๐ You can dive in and jump the waves **without a care**.
What a plan! ๐ฅ **Any of them works**: the best part is **each of you wearing your own**, with your own colour and styleโฆ and all of you looking **iconic**! ๐
Yes! ๐ And since almost all **tie to adjust** and you **choose the top and bottom separately**, you can adapt them to your body at every stage.
Of course! You can **mix them however you like** ๐ That said, right now we don't have the same colour across different designs for a perfect match, so I'd recommend **buying the full set**: it's designed so **everything matches**.
That's exactly why we do it this way! ๐ You can choose **one size for the top and another for the bottom**, so it fits **your body perfectly**. If you're unsure, take the **ยซWhat's my size?ยป** test and I'll tell you both.
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Of course! ๐ You can order **two sizes**, try them on at home and **return the one that doesn't fit** (within **14 calendar days**, with the hygiene sticker intact).
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We **don't run giveaways** right now ๐ But if you join our **newsletter**, you get a **discount on your first order** ๐
We **don't have an ambassador, points or refer-a-friend programme** right now ๐ But if you wear Quelton, **tag us**: you could appear in **#IconicQueltons**!
Haha ๐ The best way to make your ex **regret it**: a Quelton, a sunset and some beach stories. Nothing else needs to be said ๐ฅ
**Ibiza and Formentera** are our favourite places in the world! ๐ด For those coves I'd go for a **metallic**: it shines beautifully in that sun, and in photosโฆ I won't even tell you โจ
**Beach club** plans! ๐ฅ Stylist's trick: a **metallic or lurex** bikini with a **skirt or shorts** on topโฆ and from the towel to the party **without going home** ๐
I **totally** get it ๐ My sister and I felt exactly the same: we couldn't find a bikini that fitted us wellโฆ **that's why we created Quelton**. Patterns fine-tuned **millimetre by millimetre**, top and bottom **in your size** and fabrics that **flatter your figure**. You'll feel **confident and stunning**, I promise.
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Thank you! ๐ Anything else, I'm right here. **No basic. Stay Iconic. Be Quelton** ๐
If the **second** bikini doesn't work for you either or you want to return it, that shipment **is on you**: send it to our warehouse yourself. We recommend **tracked registered post** (if the parcel gets lost, we can't take responsibility). Rather we collect it? Email us at pedidos@queltonshop.com with your **order number and address**: we'll arrange the pickup and **deduct that shipping from your refund**.
Not at all! ๐ Our **lurex doesn't itch**: it's made to feel **soft and pleasant** on your skin.
Sorry, we're **not doing any more collaborations** right now ๐ But if you wear Quelton, **tag us** in your photos or stories: **every Friday** we share our **#IconicQueltons** ๐
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Not at all! ๐ **They don't fade or stain**. We visit **fabric fairs across Europe** to work with **the best suppliers**, and we **test them for months** so they keep their colour.
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Write to me and I'll reply by email as soon as I can.
It's going to look amazing on you!Great choice. If you have any questions, just ask me.
