You found the perfect swimsuit and you wear it at the beach. After a few weeks the bright colors fade, the material is a bit looser around your body, and the fabric forms piles, those tiny ball-shaped pieces of fluff characteristic of an older suit. Where did everything go wrong? How can you make your bathing suit last?

A little care will go a long way. The main culprits are chlorine, salt, the sun, hot tubs, and suntan lotions. Lycra, the material that allows the great stretch and comfort in your suit, is a fragile material. Chlorine and chemicals easily wear it down, and abrasive surfaces tear the fabric. Hot water permanently stretches the elastic, and dryer sheets, detergent and washing machines will finally destroy it. Most of these elements you can not avoid, but some care will help prolong the life of your swimsuit.

Never machine wash your suit