How to Properly Wash and Care
for Your Smart Swimsuit

• What Makes Smart Fabric Different
• Rinse It Right After You Get Out of the Water
• How to Wash It
• Drying: Keep It Out of Direct Sunlight
• Things to Keep Away From Your Suit
• Storing It Between Wears and Off-Season
• A Simple Trick: Rotate Between Two Suits
• Quick FAQ
• The Five Golden Rules

A smart swimsuit isn't built the same way as a regular one. The fabric that lets your skin tan through it is thin, breathable, and single-layered by design — which is exactly what makes it feel weightless on your body. But that same delicate structure means it needs a gentler routine than the swimwear you're used to. Treat it like a thick, heavy-duty piece and you'll shorten its life fast. Treat it right, and it will stay soft, elastic, and vibrant for seasons.

Here's everything you need to know to keep your RoDaSoleil piece in top shape.

RoDaSoleil swimsuits are woven from 72% polyester and 28% elastane (tunics and tops use an 88/12% blend, and beachwear separates use 93/7%). It's an intentionally light, porous weave — the same quality that lets sunlight reach your skin also makes the fabric more sensitive to heat, friction, and harsh chemicals than a standard, densely woven swimsuit.

Because the material is so thin, it also dries in just a couple of minutes in open air. That's a huge convenience on a beach day, but it's also a hint about how the fabric behaves: it reacts quickly to its environment, so a few consistent habits go a long way toward protecting it.

Skip the washing machine entirely. Smart fabric holds up best with a simple hand wash:

1. Fill a basin with cool to lukewarm water (around 20–30°C / 68–86°F).
2. Add a small amount of a mild, gentle soap — nothing harsh.
3. Swirl the suit gently through the water for a minute or two.
4. Rinse thoroughly in clean water until no soap remains.
5. Press out excess water with your hands or roll it in a towel — never wring or twist it.

Steer clear of bleach and fabric softener. Bleach breaks down both the color and the fiber structure, while fabric softener leaves a residue that clogs the weave and reduces its breathability. A dedicated swimwear wash or a gentle, fragrance-free soap is your best bet.

It sounds counterintuitive for a piece designed to let sun through, but direct sunlight is hard on the fabric itself. UV exposure over time breaks down elastane and fades color, so let your suit dry in the shade rather than draping it over a sunny railing or hot sand.

Lay it flat or hang it loosely — avoid pinning it with sharp clamps or clothespins, which can leave marks or stretch the weave in one spot. Since the fabric is so lightweight, it usually only needs a few minutes to dry fully, so this small extra step costs you almost nothing.

Never put it in a dryer. Heat from tumble drying is one of the fastest ways to wreck the elasticity of thin, technical fabrics.

A few everyday things are surprisingly rough on smart fabric:

• Sunscreen and tanning oils directly on the fabric. Oily, chemical-heavy products can break down the fibers and leave stains. Apply sunscreen before you dress, and let it absorb fully before putting the suit on.
• Saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs. High heat and prolonged moisture exposure are tough on the elastane, causing it to lose its stretch faster.
• Rough surfaces. Sun loungers, stone ledges, pool edges, and rocky shorelines can snag or thin the delicate weave. A quick check before you sit down saves you a lot of pilling.
• Extended damp storage. Leaving a wet suit balled up in a beach bag for hours — or days — invites mildew and permanent creasing.

Always store your swimsuit completely dry. Fold it loosely and keep it in a cool, dry drawer rather than a sealed plastic bag or vacuum pouch, which trap humidity and encourage odor or mildew over long periods. If you're packing for a trip, a breathable fabric pouch works better than plastic.

If you swim often, consider owning two smart swimsuits and alternating between them. Fabric fibers need time to relax and recover their shape after being stretched and wet — giving each suit a rest day between wears helps it hold its fit and elasticity much longer. It's a small habit, but it makes a noticeable difference by the end of the season.

• Rinse in fresh water right after swimming.
• Hand wash only, in cool water with a mild soap.
• Never wring, bleach, or machine dry.
• Dry flat or hung, out of direct sunlight.
• Store dry, and let it rest between wears.

A little care goes a long way with smart fabric. Follow these habits and your RoDaSoleil swimsuit will keep its softness, stretch, and color for many seasons of sun.

Ready for your next piece? Browse the latest RoDaSoleil collection and find your next favorite swimsuit.