Why the colour goes first
Chlorine attacks dye molecules directly, and the bonds holding colour to nylon give way long before the fabric itself does. Polyester and PBT hold dye far more tightly, which is why a black polyester suit still reads black after a season while a nylon one has gone grey at the seat. Fading is the visible warning that the fibres underneath are being worked on too.
Why the suit goes slack
The stretch comes from elastane, and elastane is what heat destroys. Hot tubs, warm teaching pools and a tumble dryer all break those fibres down, after which the suit no longer pulls back to its own shape. A suit can hold its colour perfectly and still be finished, so bagging at the seat is the signal that matters.
Habits that slow both down
- Soak the suit in clean water before you get in. Fabric already full of fresh water takes up less chlorinated water.
- Rinse in cold water as soon as you’re out, before the chlorine dries into the fibres.
- Press the water out between a towel. Wringing twists the elastane against itself.
- Dry flat in the shade. Direct sun does to dye roughly what chlorine does.
- Rotate two suits. Elastane recovers given a full day to dry out, and a suit worn every day never gets one.
What doesn’t help
Washing machines, tumble dryers, hot water and fabric softener all shorten a suit’s life. Softener is the worst of them: it coats the fibres and leaves the fabric slack and slippery. When a rinse isn’t enough, hand wash in cool water with a little mild detergent. For the full routine, see the care guide.
Relevant suits
| Suit | At a glance | Sizes | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Speedo Speedo Girls Hyperboom Print Medalist Swimsuit - Neon Jelly/Post It Pink | Chlorine-resistant | 6 Years,8 Years,10 Years,12 Years,14 Years,16 Years | $27 £20.79 | Allens Swimwear→ |
 AK AK Womens AK Tie Back - Pomice/Neon Cherry | Chlorine-resistant | 28,30,32,34,36 | $43 £32.78 | Allens Swimwear→ |
 Amanzi Amanzi Girls Citrasea Tie Back One Piece Swimsuit - Multi | Chlorine-resistantone piece | 26,28,30,32,34,36,38 | $49 £37.05 | Allens Swimwear→ |
A3 A3 Performance A3 Performance Solid Female Xback Swimsuit | Chlorine-resistant | 18,20,22,24,26,28,30,32,34,36,38,40,42 | $65 | Amazon→ |
 Funkita (AU) Funkita Ladies Fur Elise Strapped In One Piece Swimsuit - White/Black | Chlorine-resistantone piece | Ladies 6,Ladies 8,Ladies 10,Ladies 12,Ladies 14 | $44 £33.56 | Allens Swimwear→ |
Prices and exchange rate as of Oct 13, 2026 (£1 = $1.3220). Allens prices are charged in pounds; the dollar figure is a conversion. Check the retailer for the current price.
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FAQ
Does a chlorine remover rinse work?
Yes, within limits. A chlorine-neutralising rinse lifts more residual chlorine than plain water does, and it helps most on nylon and elastane suits. It won’t rescue fabric that has already gone slack.
Can a stretched-out suit be restored?
No. Once elastane has lost its recovery there’s nothing to put back, and a suit that bags at the seat or gapes at the back is telling you to replace it.