Rinse your SPF swimwear immediately after swimming.

Yes. Swimwear with built-in SPF protection needs care, but it’s simple: rinse it in cool, fresh water as soon as you’re done. Don’t let it sit wet in a bag.

Chlorine, salt, and even sunscreen can degrade the fabric’s UV coating over time. The rinse gets most of that stuff out. Then hand wash with a mild detergent (no bleach, no fabric softener) and lay flat to dry in the shade. Heat and direct sunlight speed up the fabric’s breakdown.

Machine washing and drying wear the SPF out much faster. So avoid the washing machine if you want the protection to last. And remember — even the best SPF swimwear fades after 20-30 washes. Reapply sunscreen anyway.

Your skin will thank you, and your swimsuit might last two summers instead of one.