Sustainable swimwear is a rapidly growing product category at IVALO.COM.
Nowadays, people are seeking affordable, healthy, and nature-based activities. Besides summer beach outings, winter and outdoor swimming have also attracted many new enthusiasts.
Read our tips on how to care for swimsuits, swimwear and bikinis at the end of the article.
Fortunately, you no longer have to hunt for eco swimsuits with a magnifying glass, as their availability has clearly improved. One reason for this is the clothing industry's awakening to the use of recycled materials as raw materials.
Swimwear is often used in unique natural environments such as beach holidays, sea and lake waters, hot springs and mountain streams. In this context, a conscious person or brand is unlikely to want to add to the worrying problem of plastic pollution in water systems.
The most common eco-material for swimwear is the recycled nylon/polyamide ECONYL®. Recycled polyesters are also used to some extent, the best known being REPREVE® and SEAQUAL® YARN.
The popular ECONYL® is extremely durable and many times more ecological than new nylon. It is made by processing industrial plastic waste, among other things.
Sustainable swimwear is not only ecological, but also production-controlled, ethical and safe.
Read our care tips for swimsuits, swimwear and bikinis to make them last longer.
Whether you use your swimsuit in natural water or in chlorinated pool water, you should rinse it as soon as possible after use before drying it.
Salt from sea water, chlorine water from swimming pools, sunscreens and the color of river or lake water, for example, can discolor the fabric and shorten the life of your swimwear.
A quick rinse with plenty of cool water will improve the condition and lifespan of your swimwear.
If your swimsuit becomes discolored or stained, still avoid soaking in hot water and machine washing at high temperatures. Stain removers containing strong chemicals can also wear out the fabric.
If you forget your swimwear in your beach bag when it's wet or it otherwise collects odors, try freshening it up with laundry vinegar.
Wash stains and discolouration from your swimwear 1) locally and 2) by hand, for example with a mild liquid detergent, bleach/brightening stain remover or natural stain stick or gall soap.
Do not leave wet swimwear in a bag, in a laundry basket or in a washing machine for too long.
Swimwear keeps its shape and condition better when you dry it quickly after use and rinsing in an airy place. If you want to make sure your swimsuit doesn't stretch, you can dry it horizontally on a towel, for example.
If your swimsuit or bikini has removable paddings, it's a good idea to dry them separately.
When drying swimwear, avoid direct sunlight to prevent the colours of the fabric from fading. Also, do not put your swimsuit in a drying cabinet or tumble dryer.
Wash delicate swimwear materials by hand in lukewarm water or machine wash on a delicate cycle. Fine washing is usually done at a low temperature of 30 or 40 degrees Celsius.
At low washing temperatures, the swimwear retains its shape and stretch.
When washing delicates, it is advisable not to load the machine full so that the laundry can move even in the gentler mechanical cycle. A small amount of detergent is sufficient.
In machine washing, the swimwear can also be protected with a wash bag. Especially if your swimsuit has buckles, elastic bands, strings or arch supports, slip it into a loose bag before washing.
Fabric softener can damage the elastic materials of swimwear. So the same rule applies to swimsuits and bikinis as to sportswear - always wash them without softener.
In general, do not use too much detergents for swimwear.
