The long wait for bikini weather is finally over! If your favorite bathing suit is full of wrinkles after spending the past months stuffed into the back of a drawer or container, you may be wondering, is it safe to iron a bathing suit?
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There are several ways to help restore your bathing suit back to its original condition and shape and we will discuss that in a moment.
But let’s first address the main question.
Is it safe to iron a bathing suit?
No. It is not safe to iron a bathing suit. Most swimwear is made with synthetic materials, like polyester, nylon, polypropylene, Lycra, or spandex. These fabrics have a low melting point and will burn or can be damaged if iron is placed directly on them.
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Most bathing suits contain a warning about machine drying or the use of an iron.
While it is not safe to iron a bathing suit, that doesn’t mean you can’t do it.
Can you iron a bathing suit?
Yes. The best way to get wrinkles out of polyester, nylon, or spandex is to steam the fabric or place it in the dryer on a permanent press setting.
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Ironing your bathing suit using a low-heat setting can also remove wrinkles. Remember, the synthetic fibers in this clothing can melt when exposed to high heat, so special caution must be taken when exposing this fabric to iron.
How to get wrinkles out of a bathing suit?
The best way to get wrinkles out of polyester clothing is to steam the material or place it in the dryer on a permanent press setting. You can also iron using a low-heat setting that can remove wrinkles.
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The good news is the higher the polyester content of the fabric, the more wrinkle-free it is. This is the reason you see high polyester levels in clothing, like wrinkle-free shirts and pants.
The Hand Held Steamer Method
The safest way to get creases out of polyester clothing is by using a handheld steamer. If you don’t have one, a handheld steamer is a good investment. They are easy to use, very portable, and can be used on a wide range of clothes, from your favorite bathing suit to dress shirts and slacks.
1. To begin, flip your article of clothing inside out and hang it on your shower curtain rod or hook on the back of your bathroom or bedroom door.
2. Fill your steamer and allow it to properly heat up.
3. Hold the steamer so the steam nozzle remains at least an inch away from your clothing, and move it slowly up and down. It is good to start out a couple of inches away when starting out until you get the hang of using the steamer.
4. While using the steamer, use caution to avoid steaming your arm or hand
The Cold Water Method
- To get the wrinkles out of your bathing suit, start by rinsing it using cold water
- Gently fold and squeeze the bathing suit to remove excess water. Do you wring it out like a dish towel as that can damage the fabric and leave your swimwear misshapen?
- Place your bathing suit flat on a bath towel and let it air dry
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The Low Heat Dryer Method
If you don’t mind the risk, using a dryer in the low heat setting can also be useful for getting rid of wrinkles.
The dryer can be effective in removing wrinkles if your suit has a high cotton content.
- Place the suit into the dryer along with a damp towel
- Turn on the dryer to its lowest heat setting and leave for about 5 – 10 minutes. Be sure to watch the time.
- Once the time is up, promptly remove your bathing suit from the dryer.
Claudia Faucher is a full-time fitness training expert and lifestyle blogger. She is also been a certified Les Mills BodyPump instructor for the past 5 years and a fitness instructor for over 20 years. Claudia is a personal trainer and creates fitness training programs for seniors and people of all ages. She likes to use her skills and experiences to help others on their fitness journeys.
