Chlorine vs. Lycra: How to Wash a Burkini to Stop it From ‘Melting’
You step out of the pool. The smell hits you first, that sharp, chemical sting clinging to your skin. You grab the hem of your favorite modest swimsuit to wring it out, but it feels… wrong.
Slimy. Stretched. Maybe even a little “crunchy” at the edges.
We know the feeling. You spent a small fortune finding a swimsuit that covers you perfectly, fits your style, and feels high-quality. Watching it turn into a sagging, see-through mess after just three swims is heartbreaking.
You aren’t imagining it. Chlorine vs. Lycra: Why Your Expensive Burkini is ‘Melting’ (And How to Wash It) is the battle happening in your gym bag right now. But don’t worry. You don’t have to sacrifice your modesty or your wallet. We have a specific “Secret Neutralizer” that stops this chemical reaction in its tracks, and we reveal exactly what it is in Step 4 below.
The Invisible Enemy: Why Your Swimwear “Melts”
Let’s get technical for a second, but keep it simple. Your swimwear loves to stretch. That stretch comes from a fiber called Elastane (often known by brand names like Lycra or Spandex).
Think of Elastane like thousands of tiny rubber bands woven into the fabric. These rubber bands hold you in, keep the suit modest, and stop it from billowing up in the water.
But Chlorine is a bully.
Chlorine is essentially a bleach. Its job is to kill bacteria. Unfortunately, it doesn’t know the difference between bacteria and your expensive swimwear. It slowly eats away at those tiny “rubber bands” in the fabric.
When those bands snap, two things happen:
- The Sag: The fabric loses its memory. It stretches out but doesn’t snap back.
- The Melt: The fabric becomes thin and transparent because the structural fibers are gone.
If you have ever pulled a swimsuit out of the dryer and seen little white dusty flakes falling off? That was your Lycra. It literally crumbled away.
How to Wash Your Burkini (The Titanium Method)
You might think throwing it in the washer on “Delicate” is enough. It’s not. Machines are rough, and standard detergents are too harsh. You need a surgical approach to save your suit.
The best way to wash your burkini is to rinse it in cold fresh water immediately after exiting the pool, then hand wash it using a specialized swimsuit cleaner or mild soap. This works because it instantly flushes out the harsh chemicals before they have time to eat the elastic fibers, keeping the fit tight and the colors bright.
The 3 Golden Rules of the Rinse
Before we get to the actual washing, we have to talk about the “Golden Minute.” This is the sixty seconds after you get out of the water.
- Rule 1: The Shower Rinse. Do not wait until you get home. Hop in the gym shower with your suit on. Rinse the whole thing with cool water.
- Rule 2: The “Burrito” Roll. Never wring your suit like a dish towel. That snaps the fibers. Lay it flat on a towel and roll it up like a burrito to squeeze out the water.
- Rule 3: No Plastic Bags. Do not throw your wet suit into a plastic grocery bag and leave it in a hot car. That creates a steam sauna of chlorine gas that destroys fabric faster than anything else.
Pro Tip: If you must use a bag to get home, use a mesh wet bag that breathes.
The Step-by-Step Wash Routine
Okay, you are home. The suit is rinsed. Now it is time for the deep clean. Follow this routine to double the lifespan of your swimwear.
Step 1: The Cold Soak
Fill your sink or a basin with cool water. Never use hot water. Hot water cooks the elastic fibers (remember the “melting”?).
Add a teaspoon of mild detergent.
Do NOT use:
- Woolite (often too softening for swimwear)
- Bleach (obviously!)
- Fabric Softener (this leaves a residue that kills moisture-wicking ability)
Step 2: The Gentle Swish
Submerge your burkini. Turn it inside out. This protects the outer design and attacks the skin oils and sunscreen built up on the inside.
Gently swish it around. Imagine you are washing a delicate flower. Do not scrub. Do not twist.
Let it soak for 15-20 minutes. This gives the soapy water time to penetrate the fibers and lift out the chlorine and salt.
Step 3: The Final Rinse
Drain the soapy water. Refill with cool, clear water. Press the suit against the side of the basin to release the soap. Repeat until the water runs clear and there are no bubbles.
The “Secret” Fix: Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Remember the secret we promised in the intro? Here it is.
Sometimes, soap isn’t enough. If you swim daily, chlorine bonds to the fabric. You can smell it even after washing.
The solution is Vitamin C.
Chemistry 101: Chlorine is an oxidant. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is an antioxidant. They neutralize each other instantly.
How to make the “Anti-Melt” spray:
- Buy powdered Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) or Sodium Ascorbate.
- Mix 1 teaspoon into a spray bottle with distilled water.
- Spray your suit immediately after swimming, before you rinse.
Or, dissolve a teaspoon in your soaking basin. The chlorine smell will vanish like magic. This is the secret weapon of professional swimmers.
How to Dry Without Stretching (Gravity is the Enemy)
You have washed it perfectly. Now, do not ruin it in the drying process.
The biggest mistake? Hanging it up.
If you hang a wet burkini on a shower rod or a clothesline, gravity pulls all that heavy water down. It drags the fabric with it. The shoulders stretch. The hemline droops. By the time it is dry, it is two sizes bigger.
The “Flat Dry” Method
- Lay a dry towel on a flat surface (a table or a drying rack).
- Reshape your burkini on top of the towel. Make sure the sleeves are straight and the skirt isn’t bunched.
- Let it air dry away from direct sunlight. Sun fades color just as fast as chlorine melts fabric.
| Do This | Never Do This |
| Lay flat in the shade | Hang from the straps |
| Use a fan to circulate air | Use a hair dryer or tumble dryer |
| Rotate halfway through | Wring out tight |
Storage: The Off-Season Strategy
Summer is over, or maybe you are taking a break from the pool. How you store your suit matters.
Do not fold it into a tiny square. Folding creates creases that can become permanent weak spots in the Lycra.
The Roll Method: Just like packing a suitcase, roll your burkini loosely. Place it in a fabric drawer organizer. This keeps the fibers relaxed and ready for your next dip.
When to Say Goodbye (And What to Buy Next)
Even with the best care, Lycra has a lifespan. If your suit is see-through when you hold it up to the light, or if the elastic makes a “crunchy” sound when you stretch it, it is time to let it go.
When you buy your next one, look for the label.
The Upgrade: PBT Fabrics. Look for suits labeled “100% Polyester” or “PBT” (Polybutylene Terephthalate). These fabrics have no Lycra. They don’t stretch as much, but they are practically immune to chlorine. They will last for years, not months.
Your Turn: The “Pin” Struggle
We have all been there, trying to keep a hijab in place while doing the butterfly stroke.
Have you ever lost a pin at the bottom of the deep end? Or do you have a trick for keeping your headscarf secure that we missed?
Tell us your story in the comments below. The funniest “swim fail” gets pinned!
