As a swimming pool owner, you’re likely to get a lot more use out of your swimwear than most people! As exciting as that may be, you’ll want to allow for that added swimwear use by choosing, accommodating, and treating your swimwear well. You may not realize it, but all kinds of elements — including natural body oils, pool chemicals, sunlight, heat, and hygiene and sun-protection products — all add to the wear and tear on your swimwear.
Choosing Quality Swimwear
Did you know that there’s swimwear available that’s made from special fabric that’s resistant to chlorine damage? Such swimmer-friendly swimwear is likely to last far longer than most. Even if you aren’t ready to bite the bullet and purchase specialty swimwear, you can at least take a look at the fabric makeup and avoid natural fibers such as cotton. Instead, a 100% polyester swim suit will stand up better to regular use in chlorinated water.
While you’re at it, you may want to consider purchasing an extra swim suit, so that you can rotate suits, giving each a 24-hour break in between uses. If you have a hot tub or Jacuzzi, you may want to also purchase an inexpensive suit precisely for use in warmer water, which stands to cause extra damage to fibers.
Reducing Chlorine Damage
You already know how important it is to keep your pool’s chemicals in balance. But one significant motivating factor you may not have realized is the fact that these important chemicals can be harsh on swimwear. Even when swimming in pools with meticulously balanced chlorine levels, you can add one more item to the list: chlorine is harsh on swimwear. One way to reduce the effect of chlorine on your swimwear is to consider using a salt water chlorine generator. While salt water pools still use chlorine, the chlorine they use is gentler — and, therefore, less damaging to fabric. (Upgrading to a salt water pool may seem like it would be extremely expensive, but it actually costs under $5,000!)
Avoiding Certain Activities
Chlorine isn’t the only factor that can wreak havoc on your swimwear; heat, exposure to direct sunlight, sunblock, and perspiration can also mix with the chlorine to cause the fabric to break down. Because of that, one activity to avoid — at least after swimming in a chlorinated swimming pool — is sunbathing. If you have already been in the pool and do want to lay out, first change into a clean, dry swim suit.
For children, more of a tendency is to snag their swim suit on rough surfaces; once a snag has occurred, it can be stopped, but it cannot be repaired. If a child wants to play outside the pool after being in it, simply make sure to have alternative clothing or a swim suit cover up available in order to reduce the risk of damaging their swim wear. If a person is just sitting out on the deck for a break, sitting on a towel instead of directly on a rough surface can be a helpful way to avoid damage.
Leave a Reply