One piece swimsuits are very popular in the summer season and need to be washed thoroughly before wearing.
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When the construction holidays arrive, cleaning experts from America’s morning show Today bring everything you need to know before washing your summer clothes.
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Check the label
Before you buy, make sure your swimsuit isn’t just dry clean friendly.
If so, it should be cleaned at a dry cleaner.
Check the fabric type
A scientist at cleaning products company Clorox states that most swimsuits contain a chemical material that requires extra care when it comes time to bleach-clean your swimsuit.
“We can assume that almost all swimsuits contain elastane in addition to traditional materials such as polyester, nylon or cotton,” says Mary Gagliardi.
“Spandex combines poorly with bleach, particularly sodium hypochlorite, which yellows spandex fibers and can degrade them over time, causing them to lose their elasticity.”
If you decide to use a stain remover and bleach to wash your swimsuit, Ms. Gagliardi assures that there are no risks associated with this operation, as long as you do not soak it for more than 10 minutes.
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· Which cleaning cycle for the washing machine?
The specialist from the multinational company Clorox is very clear: your swimsuits should be washed in very hot water.
“For a better cleaning, choose the gentle cycle and the highest possible temperature […] the highest temperature in a hot water loop is typically 104 degrees Fahrenheit,” notes the American.
She adds that fabrics like nylon and spandex are more sensitive to hot water.
The dryer, not a good idea
To prevent it from losing its original shape, the best way to dry swimsuits after washing is to tumble dry them, says the expert.
“Let it dry for 24 hours to give it time to regain its shape […] Don’t dry it in sunlight. UV light can cause discoloration,” said Darenton Randall, associate at Procter & Gamble.
AFP