Why your handmade bikini needs a different care routine than fast fashion swimwear — and how to get it right
A handmade bikini isn't built the same way a $20 fast-fashion suit is, and it shouldn't be cared for the same way either. Hand-sewn seams, delicate beading, and made-to-order fabrics are an investment piece, not a single-season throwaway — and the way you wash, wear, and store your swimwear has a huge impact on how long it actually lasts.
The good news: caring for handmade swimwear properly takes about five extra minutes a wear. Here's everything you need to know to keep your Nostalgia pieces looking exactly as good as the day they arrived.
1. Always Hand Wash — Never Machine Wash
This is the single most important rule for any handmade swimwear, and it's the one most people skip.
Washing machines are rough on delicate fabrics, beaded details, and elastic. The agitation can pull at seams, snag beadwork, and stretch out the fit over time — especially on pieces with hand-applied embellishments like our Beaded collection.
What to do instead: Rinse your bikini in cool water with a small amount of mild detergent (a gentle, fragrance-free soap works best) right after wearing it. Gently swish it through the water — no scrubbing, no wringing, no twisting.
2. Rinse Immediately After Swimming
Chlorine, salt water, sunscreen, and oils are the biggest threats to swimwear longevity, and they start working on the fabric the moment you get out of the water.
- Chlorine breaks down fabric fibres and accelerates colour fading
- Salt water can leave fabric stiff and speed up wear on seams
- Sunscreen and tanning oils can stain light-coloured fabrics, especially whites and pastels
The fix is simple: rinse your bikini in cool fresh water as soon as possible after you're done swimming or sunbathing — even if you're not ready to fully wash it yet. A quick rinse now saves you a stain later.
3. Skip the Dryer. Always.
We say this in our FAQ for a reason: never put handmade swimwear in the dryer. Heat is the fastest way to ruin a bikini — it can fade colours, break down elastic, warp the fit, and shrink fabric unevenly.
Instead, lay your bikini flat to dry on a clean towel, away from direct sunlight if possible. If you're hanging it, use a wide, padded hanger to avoid leaving marks or stretching the straps. Direct, prolonged sun exposure while drying can also fade colour over time, so a shaded spot is ideal.
4. Rotate Your Suits
If you're at the beach or pool every day of your trip, wearing the same bikini repeatedly without a full drying cycle in between is one of the fastest ways to break down elastic and fabric integrity.
Having two or three suits in rotation isn't just about variety — it gives each piece time to fully dry and recover its shape between wears. This is part of why mix-and-match separates are so practical: you can build more outfit combinations from fewer total pieces, which means less wear on any single item.
5. Be Mindful of Rough Surfaces
Pool ledges, rocky shorelines, wicker furniture, and velcro are all sneaky culprits behind snagged threads and pulled beadwork. It's an easy thing to overlook, but a quick mental check before you sit down — especially in a beaded or embellished piece — goes a long way.
If you do notice a small snag, resist the urge to pull it tighter or cut it. A loose thread can usually be gently worked back into place; cutting it can unravel a seam.
6. Store It Properly Between Wears and Seasons
How you store your swimwear when you're not wearing it matters just as much as how you wash it.
- Make sure your bikini is completely dry before folding or storing it — packing away damp swimwear is one of the leading causes of mildew and odour
- Store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight
- Avoid folding beaded pieces in a way that puts pressure directly on the beadwork — lay them flat or roll loosely instead
- For off-season storage, a breathable fabric bag is better than a sealed plastic bin, which can trap moisture
7. Know That Fading Is Natural — But Preventable
All fabric fades with enough sun and chlorine exposure over time; it's simply the nature of dyed textile. But the rate of fading is largely within your control. Rinsing promptly, hand washing, drying out of direct sunlight, and avoiding the dryer are the four biggest levers you have to slow it down and keep colours looking saturated for as many summers as possible.
A Quick Care Checklist
- ✓ Hand wash in cool water with mild detergent
- ✓ Rinse immediately after swimming, even before a full wash
- ✓ Lay flat or hang to dry — never use the dryer
- ✓ Dry out of direct, prolonged sunlight when possible
- ✓ Store dry, in a cool place, away from sun
- ✓ Rotate between 2–3 suits if wearing daily
- ✓ Avoid rough or velcro surfaces in beaded pieces
Why This Matters More for Handmade Pieces
Because every Nostalgia bikini is handmade to order rather than mass-produced, the construction is a little different from what you'd find on a store rack — hand-finished seams, individually placed beading, and fabrics chosen in small batches rather than bulk rolls. That craftsmanship is exactly what makes the fit and the details feel special, and it's also why a slightly gentler care routine pays off. Treat it well, and a handmade suit will easily outlast a fast-fashion one worn the same amount.
If you're ever unsure about how to care for a specific fabric or beaded detail on your piece, our FAQ page covers the basics, or you can always message us on Instagram or email hello@nostalgiaswimwear.com — we're happy to help.
Ready for Your Next Set?
Whether you're building a rotation of everyday basics or adding a statement piece to your collection, every Nostalgia suit is made to order and built to last with the right care. Explore our Bikini Sets, browse Beaded Bikinis for something extra special, or check out One Piece Bikinis for full coverage.
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