How do you care for a burkini so it lasts?
The short answer
Rinse the burkini in cool fresh water straight after every swim to remove salt or chlorine, hand wash it with mild soap, then dry it in the shade away from direct sun. Avoid hot water, the tumble dryer, ironing and bleach to protect the fabric’s stretch and colour.
Straight after swimming
Salt and chlorine are the main enemies of swim fabric. Rinse the piece in cool fresh water as soon as you can, and never leave it folded and wet in a bag for hours — that speeds up fading and causes odours.
Washing
- Hand wash in cool water with mild soap — that’s best.
- Don’t scrub hard or wring; press gently to push the water out.
- In a machine: a laundry bag and a cold, very gentle cycle.
Drying
Dry the piece flat, in the shade, somewhere airy. Direct sun and tumble dryers weaken the elastic fibres and fade the colour — the most common reason swimwear wears out after a single summer.
What to avoid
- Hot water.
- Bleach and fabric softener.
- Ironing and the tumble dryer.
- Sitting down wet on concrete or rough rocks.
Frequently asked questions
Can I machine wash a burkini?
Yes, in a laundry bag on a cold, very gentle cycle — but hand washing is better.
Why dry it in the shade?
Direct sun fades the colour and weakens the elastic fibres.
Should I use fabric softener?
No — it damages the properties of swim fabric.
