Hand wash your swimsuit.

It’s the only way to stop pilling. Machine washing and drying rip the fibers apart.

Swimsuit fabric is delicate, even the cheap stuff. The agitation of a washer and the heat of a dryer stretch and fray the elastane, which is what makes it stretchy in the first place. That’s where pilling comes from. You’re basically sanding the fabric down.

Rinse it in cold water right after swimming. Use a tiny bit of mild detergent, nothing with bleach or softener. Squeeze gently, don’t wring. Lay it flat on a towel to dry, out of direct sun.

Yeah, it takes two minutes. But your suit will look new for two seasons instead of two washes.