How to Care for Bikini Bottoms So They Last More Than One Summer

Quick answer

Rinse bikini bottoms in cool water immediately after every wear, wash them gently with a mild detergent, and lay them flat to dry away from direct sun. Skip the washing machine, hot water, and wringing, because those are the fastest ways to cause bikini bottoms fading, stretched seams, and loss of shape.

Your step-by-step bikini bottoms care routine

1. Rinse immediately after every wear: As soon as you take off your bikini bottoms, rinse them in cool running water until the water runs clear. This removes chlorine, salt, and sunscreen before they set into the fibers. Common mistake: tossing them in a beach bag to rinse later. Even a few hours lets sunscreen and chlorine start to dull the color.
2. Hand wash with a mild detergent: Fill a sink with cool water and a small amount of gentle detergent or swimwear-specific wash. Submerge the bottoms and gently squeeze the water through the fabric for about 30 seconds. Do not scrub or twist. Checkpoint: if the water looks cloudy or feels slick, rinse and repeat with fresh water before drying.
3. Rinse thoroughly and remove excess water without wringing: Rinse again in cool water until no soap remains. To remove water, press the bottoms flat between your palms or roll them in a clean towel and press down. Never wring or twist. Common mistake: wringing out the fabric. That stretches the elastic and distorts the seamless finish, which is hard to reverse.
4. Lay flat to dry in the shade: Place the bottoms flat on a clean towel or drying rack, reshaping them gently with your hands. Keep them out of direct sunlight, which fades colors, and away from radiators or hair dryers. Checkpoint: if the waistband or side straps feel tight or misshapen while damp, gently stretch them back into place before they dry.
5. Store clean and dry, not damp: Once completely dry, store bikini bottoms flat in a drawer or folded in a breathable bag. Avoid hanging them by the waistband for long periods, which can stretch the elastic. Common mistake: putting them away slightly damp. That leads to odor and can cause colors to bleed into the lining.

Bikini bottoms built to handle a care routine

• MILLIE Bottoms: MILLIE Bottoms are cheeky coverage with a high-cut leg and a thin, non-adjustable side strap. They have a seamless finish and are double lined with sustainable REPREVE® fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. The seamless finish means fewer edges that can fray or dig in, so a gentle hand-wash routine keeps the shape intact. Because the side strap is not adjustable, avoid pulling it to remove the bottoms, which can stretch the strap over time.
• TORI Bottoms: TORI Bottoms are high-waisted with classic medium coverage and a high-cut leg. They also have a seamless finish and are double lined with REPREVE® fabric. High-waisted styles have more fabric and a wider waistband, so they hold their shape well if you lay them flat to dry instead of hanging them by the waistband, which can cause stretching.
• YVANNA Bottoms [Clearance]: YVANNA Bottoms are full-coverage high-waisted shorts in a textured material, double lined with REPREVE® fabric. They are on clearance because the fabric is being discontinued. Textured fabric can trap sand and sunscreen more easily, so rinse these especially thoroughly. Since the fabric will not be restocked, a careful care routine is the best way to keep this pair in rotation.