Picking the right suit is no easy feat; there are lots of options, and they are all not for you. It is your duty to look for the ones that match you best. The material a swimsuit is made from makes all the difference.
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Swimsuit materials vary, from blends of polyesters to nylons, then to spandex. Some of these materials don’t fare well with some usages or places. When you learn more about them, you will learn about the strengths and weaknesses of each. Spandex, for example, might not be compatible with some situations; that’s why some people would even ask: Can I wear spandex in the pool?
Yes, you can wear spandex in a pool because it has good stretch and recovery, is lightweight, and dries quickly. Spandex is a swimsuit material, so of course, it is water-compatible.
Nonetheless, it is usually mixed with other materials, such as polyester or nylon, to make it more resistant to chlorine and UV rays. Investing in swimwear designed specifically for pool use might be best if you plan to swim regularly. These are often made of chlorine-resistant fabrics that will withstand the damaging effects of the pool water for a longer period.
Why is Spandex Ideal for the Pool?
Spandex is a synthetic fabric most popular for its astounding elasticity. It is made from a polymer called polyether-polyurea copolymer, made through different production stages. Spandex is a very stretchy material that can go five to eight times its original size.
It is elastic, comfortable, and resilient, which is why it doesn’t get damaged by enormous water entry. These qualities make it ideal for swimming and surfing in all kinds of water, including the pool.
NOTE: Spandex’s compatibility with pools is only for ordinary water. Pools with chlorine in them may damage the spandex fabric.
Why Will The Chlorine In Some Pools Affect Spandex?
Spandex is very good and comfortable, even preferred by competitive swimmers, but their weakness is they are not chlorine-friendly. Not just chlorine, even if they are not compatible with harsh chemicals. Chlorines are still harsh chemicals, even though they are used to cleanse waters like pool water.
Their constituents make them heavy chemicals, mostly for industrial use. So, if you use your spandex material in a chlorinated pool, you risk it from being damaged or discolored.
Also, the chlorine singles out the spandex fibers and breaks them down, causing them to lose their elasticity and become shapeless and baggy.
8 Properties That Make Spandex Ideal For Swimwear
1. It is quick-drying
Spandex thins out moisture absorbed inside water quicker than any other material. This is why spandex is never heavy no matter how long you stay underwater, and so it lets you swim freely without any pull.
2. It is extremely elastic
This is its top quality which makes it the most sought-after swimsuit material. Spandex is the strongest of swimwear materials, and it can stretch ten times better than even rubber without reaching an elastic limit.
This helps swimmers dive freely without any constriction in their movements. And the most fascinating part is; that it stretches the same underwater, which is where other similar fabrics fail.
3. It has an amazing recovery
Better than rubber, spandex can retain its original length even underwater after being stretched. This is the most ideal swimsuit fabric. Without this amazing recovery, it would have affected the movements of divers and endangered their lives.
4. It is durable
Durability is its strongest feat; it can withstand heavy tension and pressure. It retains its shape the same in and out of water. Moreover, when it is used with other materials to make swimwear, it immediately enhances the quality of the wear as a whole and lets its user move freely without compromising its shape.
5. It has great quality
Spandex is not the best for swimsuit material quality, but it does a great job enhancing other materials. This quality elevation improves the general texture and saves countless lives wearing it.
6. It is affordable
Since it is not one of the highest qualities, it is not the most expensive. This makes it very affordable to buy and use. Its package is ideal for any swimmer to afford, and it does excellently underwater.
7. It has resistance
Spandex is resistant to saltwater, body oil, sweat, and chlorine. All these substances harm the internal organs, so spandex prevents its entry into the body, keeping you safer.
8. It is elegant
Despite its many amazing features, it doesn’t affect its general aesthetics. Spandex gives body-hugging adhesion, allowing you to flaunt your curves and comfortably give you an amazing look. It is also soft, which allows you to move in style, flaunting your behind.
How To Care For Your Spandex Swimsuits
Spandex is a joy to own for a swimsuit. Therefore, proper care should be ensured to avoid damaging them out of water. Let’s start with how to wash a spandex swimsuit properly. We’ll section it into two; hand washing and washing with a machine. Use the following tips to care for them.
1. Hand washing spandex
- Hand washing is ideal for washing a spandex swimsuit to protect it from excessive stretching
- Do not use detergents or bleaches that contain chlorine or fabric conditioner
- Preferably use lukewarm water for washing and rinsing
- Gently agitate and rub it as you wash
- Rinse in lukewarm water until all the foam has been washed off
- Squeeze the water out gently, do not wring it.
2. Washing spandex in a washing machine
- Insert the swimsuit into the washing machine
- Add a mild detergent that does not contain chlorine
- Wash in a cool and gentle delicate cycle and ensure you set it to a slow spin to draw the water off.
How to Remove a Casual Stain or Odor from A Spandex Swimsuit
Expelling the stain on the spot as it gets on should be your first move. Soak the spot in cold water, then add a mild liquid soap to unfasten the stain from the fabric. Gently scrub it off when it’s softened enough.
Spandex swimwear easily gets and retains odor attracted from their usage. Pool water and streams usually have a residual odor on swimsuits; you need to get it off so as not to reek it permanently. Pour lukewarm water into a large bowl, then add a cup of bicarbonate soda. Leave your suit to soak in it overnight, then rinse with cool water in the morning before air drying.
How to Properly Dry Spandex Swimsuit
- Gently squeeze out the excess water in your swimsuit
- Air-dry it on a line without direct sunlight and heat
- Do not dry in a tumble dryer
Other Swimsuits Materials You Can Use In A Chlorinated Pool
Even though spandex is the commonest with swimsuit materials, it is stretchy, which makes it easy for them to be pulled on and off. There are even a few swimsuits that are spandex-free. However, due to its intolerance of chlorine, there are other options to consider.
1. Polyester
Swimsuits made of 100% polyester, like Speedo’s swimsuits, are fairly resistant to chlorine damage. The Urafast swimsuit maker also makes suits that are chlorine-resistant.
They are also a blend of texturized polyester, which offers a fair amount of stretch but is unlike spandex with the full stretch swing. Plain polyester is not stretchy, which is why it is used with other materials in swimsuits.
2. Nylon and Lycra
Nylon and Lycra are also non-absorbent materials that are excellent for swimming in the pool without minding the chlorine content. Absorbent materials like cotton can also be broken down by the chlorine content of pools and cause it to clog in the pool filters.
Any colored material like spandex will bleed into the pool water, affecting its general state and making it unsafe to swim in. These reactions also account for the turbidity in pools.
Can You Swim in Spandex Shorts?
Yes, you can swim in spandex shorts because spandex, also known as elastane or Lycra, is a synthetic fabric known for its exceptional elasticity. It’s a common material in many types of swimwear because it fits snugly, offers flexibility, and dries quickly.
However, similar to full spandex swimsuits, spandex shorts can be affected by prolonged exposure to chlorine in swimming pools. This can make the fabric less elastic and possibly even discolored over time.
To help preserve your spandex shorts, make sure to rinse them with clean water immediately after swimming to remove any residual chlorine. Additionally, allow them to air dry rather than using a machine dryer, as the heat can also harm the material.
Conclusion
Spandex can be worn to the pool, but if only it doesn’t contain chlorine. Chlorine and spandex are natural enemies. Look through the article to see why they don’t match and what materials can be worn instead. Also, spandex is an excellent source of swimsuit materials; check for the good properties that make it so. Lastly, listed are different ways to care for your spandex swimsuit; you can easily follow these guides to ensure the long usage of your favorite swimwear.
