White vinegar and a wash cycle usually do the trick.

White vinegar and a wash cycle usually do the trick.

Yes, you can usually get the mildew smell out of swimwear with a white vinegar soak.

Soak the suit for 30 minutes in a mix of one part white vinegar to four parts cold water. Then wash it normally with detergent — no fabric softener, that traps smells. Hang it in the sun to dry; UV light kills mildew spores. If the smell lingers, repeat the soak.

Swimsuits are synthetic and non-porous, so the smell is usually on the surface or in the lining. Vinegar neutralizes the mildew without damaging the fabric. Don’t use bleach — it’ll break down the elastic.

And next time, hang dry immediately — even a damp swimsuit left in a bag is a breeding ground.