Do You Know How to “Read” Your Swimsuit’s Care Label?

A Quick Guide to Making Your Swimwear Last Longer!

Swimsuits work hard—they battle chlorine, saltwater, and sunscreen while keeping you stylish. But have you ever noticed the little care label sewn into your swimwear? Did you know that these care labels are the secret manual to making your swimwear last longer?

Let’s decode those symbols and learn how to care for your swimwear correctly.

What Do Those Care Label Symbols Mean?

Common Swimwear Care Symbols & What They Mean, Here’s your cheat sheet:

Symbol	Meaning	Why It Matters for Swimwear	What to Do
	Hand Wash Only	Protects delicate elastic fibers from machine friction.	Use cold water and mild detergent; avoid scrubbing or wringing.
	Machine Washable	Only on a delicate cycle.	Use a mesh bag & cold delicate cycle if allowed.
	NO Bleach	Harsh chemicals fade colors & weaken fabric.	Stick to chlorine-free, mild detergents.
	NO Tumble Dry	Heat destroys fabric elasticity.	Always air dry.
	NO Dry Clean	Aggressive solvents can ruin swimwear.	Avoid dry-cleaning your swimsuit.
	NO Iron	Heat stretches and melts fibers.	Skip the iron!
	Hang Dry	Best for shape retention	Always dry in the shade to maintain shape & color.

For more swimwear care label symbol instructions, please refer to the following.

Why Care Labels Matter

Care labels aren’t just fine print! They’re tailored to your swimsuit’s fabric (like spandex, nylon, polyester or recycled materials) and dyes. Ignoring them can lead to your swimwear fading, stretching, reducing protection or even damage. Please wash your swimwear after reading the care labels.

How to Wash Your Swimsuit Based on Its Care Label

Case 1: Label Says “Hand Wash”

Rinse immediately after use in cold water to remove chlorine/salt.
Soak in cold water with a mild detergent for 5 minutes.
Gently press (don’t twist!) to clean, then rinse until water runs clear.
Press the water out with a towel (don’t wring!).
Lay flat or hang in the shade to air dry.

Case 2: Label Allows “Machine Wash”

Turn the swimsuit inside out.
Always use a mesh laundry bag to prevent snagging.
Cold delicate cycle + mild detergent(without fabric softener). Skip the spin cycle if possible.
Air dry—no direct sunlight to prevent fading.
Put the swimsuit away after it is completely dry.

Missing or Faded Care Label? No Problem!

If you’re unsure, play it safe:

Assume hand wash + cold water – safest for most blends.
Skip bleach, heat, and dryers – they ruin elasticity & color.
Lay flat or hang dry in the shade – best for shape & color.

Pro Tip from Unijoy’s Swimwear Manufacturing Experts

Check the care label first—it’s your swimsuit’s best friend! Care labels also can reduce returns and build customer trust! We ensure every custom swimsuit we manufacture includes clear care instructions—because great swimwear deserves a long life and we want your customers to love their swimwear for years to come.

Looking for a premium custom swimwear collection with easy-care fabrics? Let’s create a collection that keeps customers coming back! Let’s talk!