Okay babes, confession time. Last summer, I wore my Stella Bikini – Red basically every second day for a month — Bondi beach mornings, rooftop arvo spritzes, even a spontaneous midnight swim with the girls (don’t ask 👀). By week five, this quality-first swimwear had survived salt, chlorine, SPF explosions and enough sand to rebuild half of Byron… and yet, she still looked brand new.
Meanwhile, my bestie @ella.in.bali? Her high-street bikini was literally fading after two dips. Like, full sad-grey where there was once neon. The difference? Care, honey.
And that’s the thing no one tells you: even the most luxe, slow-fashion swimwear can’t slay forever if you don’t treat her right.
That’s where this guide comes in. If you’re investing in swimwear made to last, you deserve to know how to keep it glowing season after season. Let’s make your bikinis outlast your holiday flings, shall we?
Why Swimwear Care Actually Matters (Yes, It’s a Thing)
Here’s the tea: bikinis are like skincare — consistent care = glowing results.
Salt water, pool chlorine, sweat, body oils, SPF, and even that cheeky pina colada spill can break down swim fabrics over time. And if you’re all about buying swimwear online that’s designed for longevity (hi, welcome to Dekota Swim), it makes zero sense to let them fade early.
Proper sustainable swimwear care means:
Less stretching, sagging or fading
Keeping colours vibrant and TikTok-worthy
Preventing elastane breakdown (so your Stella Bikini – Red stays supportive)
Extending your bikini’s life = fewer replacements = less waste 🌱
Basically, it’s the ultimate slow-fashion power move.
Step One: Rinse, Babe, Rinse
First rule of eco swimwear care? Always rinse her off after your dip.
As soon as you get home from the beach (or even just back to your hotel room in Fiji), rinse your Stella Bikini – Red in cold fresh water. Salt and chlorine cling to fabric like a stage-five clinger, and they’ll slowly break down the fibres if you let them.
Pro tip: stash a reusable water bottle in your beach bag and give your bikini a quick rinse before the sand even dries. Your future self will thank you.
Step Two: Hand Wash Like She’s Delicate (Because She Is)
Machine wash? Absolutely not. That’s how bikinis end up sad and saggy.
Instead, give her a gentle hand wash using a mild detergent. No bleach, no harsh soaps, and definitely no hot water (heat kills elastane faster than you can say “main character energy”).
Fill your sink with cool water
Add a dash of gentle detergent
Swish your Stella Bikini – Red around for 10 minutes
Rinse well until the water runs clear
If you’ve been living in this summer bikini all season (because, valid), aim to do this after every few wears. You wouldn’t go weeks without washing your fave tee — your bikini two piece deserves the same love.
Step Three: Dry Her Gently, Away from the Sun
I know, I know — laying your bikini out on the balcony railing in full sun feels like a vibe. But that blazing UV? It’ll bleach out colour faster than you can post your #beachday reel.
Instead:
Gently press out extra water with a towel (never wring or twist)
Lay flat to dry in the shade
Avoid hanging from the straps (they’ll stretch out)
Treat her like a vintage silk blouse, not a gym towel. Your Stella Bikini – Red will thank you by staying snug and fabulous.
Step Four: Rotate Your Faves
If you’re living that endless summer life, don’t wear the same bikini two days in a row. Let her rest and rebound between wears.
Rotation keeps the elastic from over-stretching and gives her time to fully dry out — especially around seams.
Honestly, this is just an excuse to grow your collection (you’re welcome). Imagine alternating between the Stella Bikini – Red for your poolside moments and the Scarlett Bikini – Light Blue when you want to serve pure mermaid core.
✨ Explore our full range of bikini two piece styles to build your rotation wardrobe.
Step Five: Store Her Like a Luxe Treasure
Your bikini model bikini is not meant to be shoved into the bottom of your beach tote with half-melted lip balm.
Store clean, dry bikinis flat in a drawer or lined organiser box. Keep them out of direct light and away from rough fabrics that could snag delicate fibres.
If you’re packing for a getaway, slip each bikini into a soft cloth pouch. (Bonus: it makes unpacking way more aesthetic for your #travelflatlay.)
What Makes a “Sustainable” Bathing Suit Better, Anyway?
Real talk: at Dekota Swim, we’re not out here pretending we’ve solved fashion’s waste problem overnight.
While our current swimwear isn’t made from recycled fabrics, we prioritise quality, durability, and timeless designs over throwaway trends. That means fewer replacements, longer life, and less waste.
We produce in smaller batches, design cuts you’ll wear beyond the season, and ship in plastic-free packaging — all intentional steps towards slower fashion.
So when you’re shopping for a sustainable bathing suit, remember:
It’s not just about the fabric
Longevity = fewer replacements = less landfill
Timeless design means it won’t feel “out” next summer
That’s the kind of quality-first swimwear worth caring for.
✨ Discover our collection of swimwear made to last and join the slow-fashion glow-up.
FAQ: How Long Should My Bikini Last?
With the kind of love and care we’ve just gone through? Ages, babe.
A well-made black two piece bathing suit like the Stella Bikini – Red can easily last several summers — especially if you follow the rinse, wash, dry and rotate rules religiously.
Compare that to fast-fashion bikinis that stretch, fade and die after a handful of beach days… and the choice becomes pretty clear, no?
Extra Tips from a Swimwear-Obsessed Girlie 💁♀️
Watch the chemicals — hot tubs are chlorine bombs, so save your fave bikini two piece for the ocean.
SPF last, always — slather your skin, let it absorb, then suit up. Sunscreen can stain and break down elastic over time.
Travel hack — pack a spare mesh laundry bag so you can keep worn bikinis separate until you can rinse them.
Honestly, treating your Stella Bikini – Red with care is just another form of self-care. Because nothing hits like slipping into your favourite suit, seeing that flawless fit, and thinking: damn, she still slays.
The Glow-Up Mindset 🌞
Think of swimwear care as part of your beach-day ritual. You exfoliate, moisturise, fake-tan, curl your lashes, and choose your jewellery like you’re styling a Vogue shoot. Caring for your Stella Bikini – Red is just the final touch.
And let’s be real: if you’ve seen @sophiesummer’s reel in our Stella Bikini – Red, you know why this set is the moment — and it deserves VIP treatment.
So rinse her off. Treat her gently. Rotate your collection like you rotate your playlists.
Because bikinis that last beyond one season? That’s the new luxury.
Ready to Make Your Bikinis Last?
Babes, your swimwear is more than just fabric — it’s part of your main character storyline. And taking care of her means she’ll keep showing up for you, summer after summer.
So next time you’re tempted to toss your sandy bikini straight into the washing machine… don’t. Give her the spa treatment she deserves.
Tag me @dekotaswim.official when you pull this look — I’ll probably repost it, no cap.
