| To store bathing suits properly, always rinse and air-dry them completely, avoid heat and sunlight, and store them flat or folded in a cool, dry place using breathable storage. Never store swimwear damp or in sealed plastic containers. |
Proper storage of bathing suits goes a long way in keeping them looking great. In this article, we'll cover how to store bathing suits properly, the best places for long-term swimwear storage, and how to organize bathing suits without causing stretching, fading, or mold. After all, high-quality swimsuits are not cheap, and you want to get as many years of use out of them as possible.
Let's dive in!
Swimwear fabrics are durable but they can stretch, fade, and wear out over time. Extreme temperatures, salt water, chlorine, UV rays, and repeated use cause the fibers to break down. Simply tossing your wet swimsuit into a corner and forgetting about it is a surefire way to degrade the suit (plus you could end up with moldy bikinis or swim trunks!)
Here are some of our top tips for storing your swimsuit collection. Even if you don't follow every step, making a conscious effort to follow just one or two to properly store your bathing suits will extend their life. It's impossible to keep your bathing suits in pristine condition forever, but these tips can help you get more use out of them for years to come.
The most important tip in properly storing your bathing suit is to wash it before you put it away. The bathing suit washing process doesn't have to be time consuming - a quick rinse with cold, fresh water is often enough to get chlorine, salt and other chemicals out of the fabric.
| Pro Tip: Chlorine doesn’t just fade color—it breaks down elasticity too. Before storing your swimsuit, see how chlorine affects swimwear and what to do about it. |
If you want to go the extra mile, hand wash the suit in a sink full of cold water with about a tablespoon of gentle soap for about ten minutes, or put it in the washing machine on the gentle cycle. When it's fully washed, squeeze out the extra water and either hang it on a drying rack or lay it out to dry on a flat surface.
Make sure the suit is completely dry before you put it away! Avoid wringing out the suit - this can also damage the fibers - and don't dry it in the sun (the UV rays will break down the fabric.) Avoid using clips to hang the suit - these can also damage the material.
It can be tempting to leave your suit balled up in the bottom of your swim bag or tote after a beach trip or pool party, but don't! That's a surefire way to start growing mildew. Once mold starts to grow, you'll need to wash the suit thoroughly to get rid of it - and an intense wash cycle could damage the suit further.
If you can dedicate an entire drawer to your suits, that's great. If not, make sure the space you choose to keep them is dark, dry, cool, and has good airflow. Allowing the suits to breathe will prevent mildew - especially important if they get put away slightly damp.
Keeping your swimsuits organized doesn't necessarily help keep them in good condition, but it does make your life easier! There's nothing worse than planning to wear your favorite suit, only to realize you can't find it!
Plus, stuffing all your bathing suits into one drawer where they are balled up, damp, and don't have space to air can lead to wrinkles, damaged fabric, and mold.
A drawer divider in your dresser drawer is a good option for keeping your suits organized and separate from your other clothing. Fabric storage bins or a fabric storage bag are also a great way to store swimsuits, and can double as a beach tote.
We love mesh bags as a way to organize swimsuits - they can be hung on the back of your bathroom door, or can sit in your dresser drawer. Keep like swimsuits together: bikini bottoms in one bag, one-piece swimsuits in another, bikini tops in a third! That way, you can easily mix and match by simply reaching into a bag and grabbing a piece at random - it's like swimsuit roulette!
If you’ve searched for bathing suit storage online, you’ve probably noticed dozens of organizers, bins, and hangers promising to “protect” swimwear. Before buying anything new, it helps to understand what actually matters for swimsuit storage.
The best swimsuit storage options all share a few key qualities:
Many people already own items that work perfectly for swimsuit storage—mesh laundry bags, fabric drawer organizers, cotton totes, or even pillowcases tucked neatly into a drawer.
The goal isn’t fancy organization—it’s airflow, shape retention, and dryness.
We recommend against keeping your suits in a plastic storage container as this prevents airflow and can lead to mold and mildew. Even bins marketed for clothing or swimwear storage can trap humidity once the lid is closed. Without airflow, moisture lingers in the fabric—especially in elastics and lining—creating the perfect environment for mildew and odor.
If you must store swimsuits in a plastic bin, consider leaving the drawer cracked or even cutting a small hole somewhere to allow air to flow.
Short-term storage and off-season storage follow the same core principles—but long-term storage leaves less room for error. Even small mistakes, like folding a suit before it’s fully dry, can cause permanent damage over time.
If you’re storing bathing suits during the off-season, proper preparation matters even more.
- Wash and fully air-dry swimsuits before storing
- Store suits folded flat, not hanging
- Use breathable fabric bags or mesh organizers
- Avoid attics, garages, or damp basements
- Add a silica packet to prevent moisture buildup
Knowing how to store bathing suits properly can add years to your favorite swimwear. A quick rinse, thorough air-dry, and breathable storage space are all it takes to keep swimsuits looking and fitting like new.
Treat your swimsuits like delicates—not afterthoughts—and they’ll return the favor season after season.