How to Take Care of Your Swim Briefs (From Someone Who Learned the Hard Way)
If you’re buying fashion swim briefs, especially something bold, fitted, and detail-driven like what we make at BADBUI, you can’t treat them like a pair of gym shorts and expect them to last.
I know, because I used to do exactly that.
I’d toss my swim in the washing machine with the rest of my laundry, throw everything in the dryer, and not think twice. At first, everything looked fine. But over time, the damage stacks up.
The drawstrings start to fray.
The branding peels or cracks.
Bright colors lose their punch.
The fabric loses that tight, sculpted feel.
And worst of all, the shape changes.
At a certain point, they just don’t hit the same on your body anymore.
That’s when it clicked for me: taking care of your swimwear isn’t optional if you actually care about how it looks and lasts.
Why Swim Briefs Require Different Care
Most fashion swim briefs, including ours, are made with performance stretch fabrics:
Body: 82% nylon, 18% spandex
Lining: 95% polyester, 5% spandex
That blend is what gives you that snug, flattering fit. It hugs in the right places, stretches comfortably, and keeps its structure.
But those same materials are sensitive.
Heat, friction, and harsh detergents break them down faster than you think. Add in chlorine or saltwater, and you’re basically speeding up the aging process every time you wear them.
So if you’re just throwing them in with your towels and calling it a day, you’re cutting their lifespan way shorter than it needs to be.
The Biggest Mistakes People Make
From what I’ve seen, there are two main killers:
1. The washing machine
It’s not just about cleanliness. It’s about how aggressive the cycle is. Agitation wears down the fibers, fades color, and stresses stitching and trims.
2. The dryer
This is the real enemy.
Heat destroys elasticity. It shrinks fabric, warps the shape, and weakens details like drawcords and waistbands. If your briefs don’t snap back the way they used to, this is usually why.
If you remember nothing else from this post, remember this: the dryer will ruin your swimwear faster than anything else.
What I Actually Do (And Recommend)
After years of trial, error, and seeing what holds up vs. what doesn’t, here’s the routine I stick to:
1. Rinse immediately after wearing
Especially if you’ve been in a pool or the ocean. Chlorine and salt sit in the fabric and keep working against it until you wash it out.
2. Hand wash in cold water
This is the safest bet. It’s gentle, controlled, and doesn’t stress the fabric. You don’t need anything fancy. Just cold water and a mild detergent if needed.
3. Hang dry
Preferably somewhere with a light breeze. Airflow helps them dry faster and keeps everything fresh without damaging the material.
That’s it. Simple, but effective.
The Official Care Instructions (For a Reason)
Every pair comes with this for a reason:
Hand wash cold
Line dry
Do not bleach
Do not dry clean
Do not iron
It’s not just legal language. It’s literally the difference between your swim lasting a few months vs. a few seasons.
Is It Worth the Extra Effort?
Honestly, yes.
It takes maybe a couple extra minutes, but the payoff is huge. Your colors stay vibrant, the fit stays tight and flattering, and all the small details that make the piece feel premium actually hold up.
If you’re investing in swimwear that’s meant to stand out, it doesn’t make sense to destroy it with lazy care habits.
I learned that the hard way so you don’t have to.
Take care of your swim briefs, and they’ll take care of how you look in them.