After getting out of water, it's common to strip out of your wet bathing suit and hang it to dry until it's ready for your next swim. Rewearing swimsuits before you wash them means you can enjoy a summer full of swimming without owning a bajillion suits or doing laundry all the time. And since you wear swimsuits in the water, they're technically kind of clean when you take them off, right? Sort of, says Lucky Sekhon, MD, a New York City-based fertility specialist and board-certified OB-GYN. Rewearing a swimsuit before washing it can be gross, but it depends on the circ*mstances.
"Bathing suits do not need to be washed every single time you wear them," says Dr. Sekhon. "If swimming in chlorinated or salt water, however, it is beneficial to wash the bathing suit every time. If wearing the bathing suit while outside of the water, for an extended period of time, I would recommend washing it before reuse."
Experts In This Article
- Jacqueline Ho, MD, MS, Jacqueline Ho, MD, MS, joined the USC Fertility team after working at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine.
- Lucky Sekhon, MD, board-certified OB/GYN, reproductive endocrinologist, and infertility specialist
So if you're swimming in chlorinated or saltwater, or wearing your suit outside of the water for a long time, be sure to wash your swimsuit after every use.
"Unlike wearing a bathing suit in the water, wearing a bathing suit outside of the water for a prolonged period of time is akin to wearing underwear," says Dr. Sekhon. "Build up of sweat, vagin*l discharge after prolonged wear outside of the water, while dry, should be cleaned before the bathing suit is worn again. If not, this can lead to skin irritation and discomfort."
Additionally, staying in wet bottoms for too long could lead to a yeast infection, especially if you're prone to them. Jacqueline Ho, MD, MS, assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at USC Keck School of Medicine, explains that "things like tight clothing, non-breathable fabric, and moisture can predispose you to having a yeast infection." Change into dry clothing sooner than later, and remember that you have a higher risk of developing a yeast infection if you have diabetes, were recently on antibiotics, are pregnant, or have a weakened immune system.
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If you're taking a dip in freshwater or unchlorinated water and change right before and after your swim, you're good to rewear it. This is also better for your bathing suits in the long run.
"Frequent washing may actually lead to the fabric wearing down and decreased longevity of the suit," she says. "Most bathing suit designers and manufacturers recommend letting the bathing suit air dry and washing only every three to five wears."
To prolong the life of your swimsuit (and keep your bits healthy and happy) Dr. Sekhon recommends using your usual detergent to hand wash your swimsuits.
Designer Yasmine Eslami tells The Strategist that there's a right way to hand wash your delicates. First, fill your sink with room-temperature water, not hot. Add some soap to get the water nice and sudsy. Then instead of rubbing your swimsuit to get it clean, gently and repeatedly push each pair down to the bottom of the sink and let it float back up to the surface again. After letting them soak for an hour, rinse with cold water and hang to dry.
Tags: Active Clothing, Healthy Body, Swimwear
As someone deeply entrenched in health and wellness topics, particularly those related to hygiene, skin health, and fabric care, I can provide insights that align with the article's content and expand upon them.
Firstly, understanding the interaction between the human body, moisture, and fabrics like swimsuits is crucial. When we talk about skin health, especially in sensitive areas, the microbial environment plays a pivotal role. Moisture and warmth provide an ideal environment for microbial growth, which can lead to various skin issues like rashes, irritation, and infections. The concerns highlighted by Dr. Sekhon and Dr. Ho about wearing wet swimsuits for extended periods or outside the water are not just theoretical but grounded in medical understanding.
Chlorinated or Saltwater: Chlorine is a disinfectant used to kill bacteria and other germs in swimming pools. While it helps keep the water clean, chlorine can be harsh on fabrics over time. Saltwater, although more natural, has its own set of challenges due to its abrasive nature. Both can lead to fabric degradation and might not entirely remove bodily residues from the suit. Hence, it's advisable to wash your swimsuit after exposure to these waters.
Wearing Swimsuits Outside of Water: The comparison made by Dr. Sekhon between wearing a swimsuit outside of water and underwear is apt. Both situations can lead to the accumulation of sweat, bacteria, and other bodily secretions. This build-up, when left unattended, can cause skin irritation, discomfort, and even infections. Factors like non-breathable fabrics exacerbate the problem by trapping moisture and promoting bacterial growth.
Yeast Infections and Moisture: The information provided by Jacqueline Ho emphasizes a crucial point about yeast infections. Yeast thrives in warm, moist environments. If you're wearing a damp swimsuit for an extended period, especially if predisposed due to health conditions like diabetes or recent antibiotic use, you're creating an environment conducive for yeast growth. Hence, changing into dry clothing promptly is essential.
Prolonging Swimsuit Longevity: From a fabric care perspective, frequent washing can degrade the elasticity and color of swimsuits, reducing their lifespan. Following the recommended practice of washing every three to five wears strikes a balance between hygiene and maintaining the quality of the swimsuit. The method of hand washing, as described by Yasmine Eslami, ensures that the fabric is cleaned gently without causing damage.
In summary, while it might seem convenient to rewear a swimsuit without washing, especially after a freshwater swim, it's essential to consider the broader implications for skin health and hygiene. Proper care, including timely washing and gentle handling, ensures that you not only maintain the longevity of your swimsuit but also prioritize your health and comfort.
