How to Wash Period Swimwear: Care Steps That Keep Its Shape
By Shop Period Underwear | Love Luna Period Underwear | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: Tips & Care
A step-by-step routine for rinsing, washing and storing period swimwear, plus how a washbag protects the layers and keeps the fit and colour intact.
Quick answer
Rinse period swimwear in cool water within an hour of wearing, wash it on a gentle cool cycle or by hand with a mild detergent, and never wring, bleach or tumble dry it. A washbag for period products keeps the absorbent layers from snagging and helps the suit hold its shape. If you only remember one rule, make it this: cool water, no heat, air dry flat.
Why period swimwear needs a different routine
Period swimwear is not just a swimsuit with a liner. Love Luna's period swimwear uses four protective layers plus a water-repellent fabric finish, and some styles add chlorine-resistant fabric to help the suit last longer. Heat, chlorine residue and rough washing are the three things that wear those layers down fastest, so the routine below is built around keeping them intact rather than scrubbing stains out aggressively.
That also means you should not treat period swimwear like a normal bikini. A hot machine wash might look fine the first time, but repeated heat exposure is what dulls colour, relaxes elastic and shortens the useful life of the absorbent panels.
What you need before you start
You do not need special chemicals. A mild liquid detergent, cool running water and a mesh washbag cover almost every situation. Skip fabric softener, bleach and enzyme-heavy stain removers, because they can leave residue in the absorbent layers or damage the water-repellent finish.
If you are washing more than one pair, keep period swimwear separate from towels and anything with zips, hooks or velcro. Those are the items that snag swim fabric in a shared load.
How to dry and store it so it keeps its shape
Lay the suit flat in the shade or hang it from the straps. Direct sun and a hot radiator both break down elastic over time, which is how swimwear loses its shape even when it is still clean. Drying flat also stops the weight of wet fabric from stretching the absorbent panel out of position.
Store period swimwear folded loosely in a drawer once it is completely dry. If you carry it to the pool or on holiday, put it in a breathable pouch rather than a sealed plastic bag, so it does not sit damp and develop odour between wears.
Your step-by-step period swimwear wash routine
- Step 1: Rinse in cool water as soon as you can: Hold the suit under cool running water and gently squeeze water through the absorbent area until the rinse runs clearer. Do this within an hour of wearing if possible, and never use hot water, because heat sets stains and stresses the water-repellent finish. Checkpoint: the water should run mostly clear before you move on.
- Step 2: Wash cool and gentle, in a washbag: Use a mesh washbag for period products, add a small amount of mild liquid detergent, and choose a cool, gentle cycle. If you are hand washing, press the suds through the fabric with your palms instead of scrubbing. Skip bleach, fabric softener and enzyme stain removers. Common mistake: overloading the machine, which twists the suit and stretches the elastic.
- Step 3: Rinse out all the detergent: Run one extra cool rinse or hold the suit under running water until no suds remain. Detergent left in the absorbent layers can irritate skin and reduce how well the fabric wicks. Checkpoint: squeeze a section and check the water running out is clear, not slippery.
- Step 4: Remove excess water without wringing: Lay the suit on a clean towel, roll the towel up and press down to blot the water out. Never twist or wring period swimwear, because that is what distorts the layered panel and the shape of the suit. Common mistake: wringing 'just a little' to speed up drying.
- Step 5: Air dry flat, out of direct sun: Reshape the suit by hand and dry it flat in the shade, or hang it from the straps. Avoid tumble dryers, radiators and direct sun, all of which shorten the life of the elastic and the colour. Checkpoint: the suit should be fully dry, including the panel, before it goes back in the drawer.
- Step 6: Store it dry and breathable: Once dry, fold the suit loosely and keep it in a drawer or a breathable pouch. Do not store it damp in a sealed bag, and do not leave it compressed under heavy items. Next step: keep a small washbag with your swim kit so rinsing and washing happen on the same day.
Products this routine is written for
- Adult Period Swim Bikini Brief - Deep Pine: Adult Period Swim Bikini Brief - Deep Pine uses four clever layers of protection and special water-repellent fabric designed to keep your period safely locked away in and out of the water. The water-repellent finish is the part most affected by hot water and detergent residue, so cool rinsing and mild detergent protect exactly the feature you are paying for.
- Swim Textured Period Hi Cut One Piece - Electric Blue: Swim Textured Period Hi Cut One Piece - Electric Blue is treated with water-repellent and chlorine-resistant fabric designed to keep your Luna's lasting longer. Chlorine resistance helps with pool water, but it does not replace rinsing. Rinsing straight after a swim removes the chlorine that would otherwise sit in the fabric between wears.
