How To Get Rid Of Mildew in Swimsuit (In 3 Easier Methods)

There are many things to watch out for, like where to place the swimsuit, when to wash it, and how to care for the suit after a dip in the water. For instance, where a swimsuit is being kept shouldn’t be taken so lightly because it could end up having mold, which results in mildew. As such, we’ll be looking at, How to get rid of mildew smell on swimsuits.

To remove mold on a swimsuit, rinse the swimsuit in cold water, then submerge it in a solution made from 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts water for about an hour. After this, rinse it again and machine wash it on a gentle cycle using a mild detergent.

Also,  be careful not to use bleach or fabric softeners, as these can damage the fabric of the swimsuit. Lastly, make sure to dry the swimsuit completely in a sunny spot or a well-ventilated area, as this can help prevent mold growth in the future.

What Causes Mildew In Bathing Suits?

Mildew is often found in swimsuits that have been abandoned for a couple of hours. This happens to suits that are wet and haven’t been attended to. When wet swimming suits are folded or balled up and dropped off in a bag or the car after a swell time swimming, the propensity of the mold on the abandoned suit keeps growing.

Situations like these, are what births mildew in swimsuits. Mildew thrives in damp places or environments which can be detrimental to one’s health when worn. Aside from our health, it poses a risk to our bathing suits. It comes with an awful smell and can as well, change the color of the suit.

Also, a suit not drying properly when it has been packed can result in it having mildew as well. Both are liable to affect the swimsuit. Now, presenting to you are methods to get rid of mildew in swimsuits.

How To Get Mildew Smell Out of Swimsuit

Method 1: Using white vinegar

Vinegar is a commonly known natural agent for tackling not just mildew in swimsuits and clothes but is used for other purposes in the home.

Step 1: Having discovered the swimming suit with mildew, take it out and use a soft brush to brush off the mold from the suit. The essence of using a soft brush is to prevent soiling or ruining your suit if you are to use a strong brush.

Step 2: Take cotton wool, dip into a bottle of white vinegar, and dab it on areas where the mildew is visible. After dabbing, leave to dry.

Step 3: To proceed further, get a bowl and fill it with water or a sink. Pour a little portion of white vinegar into the water and leave to mix for a few minutes. Place the swimsuit into the mixture and leave for a couple of hours.

Step 4: When the stipulated hours you are to leave for have elapsed, take out the suit and throw away the mixture.

Step 5: Fill the bowl or sink with clean water, pour a mild detergent into the water, and place the swimsuit to wash. Wash gently to ensure the mixture is out completely.

Step 6: Rinse and air dry.

Method 2: Using lemon juice

For this, you’ll be needing lemon juice in place of white vinegar. Lemon juice can be referred to as a natural agent for curing mildew. It is a popular household item. If you wish, you can use both.

Step 1: Pour water into a sink or a bowl and measure 1 cup of lemon juice into the water.

Step 2: Add a tablespoon of salt to the mixture and wait for a minute for it to settle alongside the lemon juice.

Step 3: Drop the swimsuit into the water. If possible, wait for about 20 to 30 minutes. Please note, do not dump the suit in the mixture and leave it. Stir a little, in a way that allows the mixture to completely settle in.

Step 4: Pour the water out and run clean water on the suit. Get your detergent and wash out the mildew and also the mixture. Wash well so salt residue isn’t left on the suit.

Step 5: Rinse and air dry. If the mildew doesn’t go off instantly, kindly repeat the process.

Method 3: Using baking soda

Baking soda is a deodorizer that helps to remove mildew from swimsuits and other wear.

Step 1: As usual, fill the sink or a bowl with water. Whatever you are going to do here, water is always needed.

Step 2: Sprinkle a little portion of the baking soda into the water. It will take some minutes to settle in first, before dipping the suit into the mixture.

Step 3: Soak for the next 30 minutes. You are to soak so the baking soda can do its job as expected.

Step 4: Wash it off and run clean water on the swimsuit. Pour in your detergent and wash as gently as you can.

Step 5: Rinse and air dry.

How To Prevent Mildew From Entering The Swimsuits

Did you know that you can put a stop to mildew from interfering with your swimming suits? Mildew does not appear on its own accord except the mildew has been summoned for. And how does one summon the mildew?

You do this by indirectly pilling up suits that shouldn’t be pilled up at all. Swimsuits can’t be placed side by side with our wear. Their lightweight nature makes it easy for not just mildew, but other bad stuff to be found on them. This is why we will be showing you ways to prevent mildew from entering the swimsuits.

1. Rinse swimsuits

Some people aren’t fond of rinsing their swimming suits when they are out of the pool and about hitting home. Rinsing a swimsuit with clean water after swimming carries a lot of advantages. Aside from saving your swimsuit from chlorine, it is one step to washing the suit rather than having it dumped.

Don’t just go into the car with a swimsuit that is yet to be rinsed. Rinsing also takes away the probability of the suit, getting mildew or mold at any point in time. After rinsing, you are to follow the next step.

2. Don’t store for long

After rinsing the swimming suit, the next thing to do would be to wash the suit on getting to your destination. Sadly, this isn’t the case for some people. Rinsing the bathing suit is one thing, but having to wash the suit is another. Rather than going for the latter, they tend to store the damp swimsuit in a bag or somewhere.

By storing this suit, they are giving room for mildew or mold to have a feast on the swimsuit which goes to ruin or change the color of the suit, if severe. What is the message being passed? Don’t store the swimsuit on getting to your destination. Proceed to the next step, which is, washing the suit.

3. Wash instantly

An instant washing saves the lives of our wears. As they say, the earlier, the better. Take the swimsuit out of the bag, and run water on it so you can begin to wash it instantly. Storing or leaving for more hours puts the swimsuit at risk of being attacked by mildew. If you do these things continuously, your swimsuit will never be caught with mildew on them.

4. Allow to dry properly

You need your swimsuit to dry properly before placing it in a bag or drawer to crown it. I’ve met people who habitually hastily pack their swimming suits even when it is still damp for endless reasons.

This is to counter whatever reason you may want to pack swimsuits without allowing them to dry properly. This is right. You are opening the door to mildew or mold. Recall I stated earlier that mildew thrives in damp places or environments. Packing or bagging when it isn’t time will cause your swimsuit to smell bad.

Always allow your bathing suits to dry well. No matter what the situation of things could be at that point. Except, it is a dire situation that requires you to take them off when they are damp. But still, ensure to have them spread when you arrive at the place you are headed.

Conclusion

Now that you have discovered the methods and steps involved in getting rid of mildew in swimsuits, as expected, you are to kindly follow through and apply these steps carefully.

Nevertheless, refrain from jeopardizing your swimsuits by giving room for mildew to be found on them. Look out for ways to prevent mildew from entering the swimsuits, as mentioned above.