7 Tips for looking after your triathlon swimwear

Do your swimsuits/tri-suits start to go baggy after a few months having been used in a chlorine environment?  Then there are a few simple things you can do to extend the life of the product.

• Tip 1 - One way of extending the life of your swimwear starts with how well it fits you. Your swimsuit needs to be a good fit, but comfortable to wear for periods of over an hour. A swimsuit which is too small or too tight will result in the fabric becoming over stretched.
• Tip 2 - In choosing your swimwear look at what fabric has been used. A swimsuit made with a 100% polyester fabric can last 10 times longer (if looked after), since it is chlorine resistant.  In conventional swimwear, the fabric is normally a spandex and Lycra®. Chlorine damages these materials making the swimsuit, gradually disintegrate, although both are chlorine resistant materials. The more polyester/PBT and less spandex/Lycra® found, the more chlorine resistant the swimsuit.
• Tip 3 - Shower with clean water before entering the pool. The swimwear will absorb the clean water and will absorb less chlorinated water.
• Tip 4 - Wash or rinse your swimsuit immediately after each use in clean water. Don’t spin dry your suit in the spin dryer very often found at leisure pools.
• Tip 5 - Once home hand wash your swimwear with cold water, following the care label instructions. Don’t put in a washing machine even on a gentle cycle, it will gradually reduce the life of the suit.
• Tip 6 - Dry your suit in the air. Don’t hang the suit out to dry on a hanger or clothes line. Use a sweater drying rack found on Amazon which allows air to circulate underneath.
• Tip 7 - If you can afford it buy two swimsuits and rotate suits for each session.

Here at Tenola we have a great range of high quality triathlon swimwear that is manufactured in the UK.  Take a look for yourself here >