How To Care For Your UV Swimwear
You’ve invested in Muddy Puddles swimwear for your child this Summer – give yourself a pat on the back! Not only is our swimwear incredibly eye-catching, but it is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, and offers UPF 50+ protection, providing an all-day barrier between their skin and the sun’s rays.
UPF stands for ultraviolet protection factor – it measures how well fabric blocks out sunlight (both UVA and UVB), with UPF 50+ being the highest UPF rating available. In technical terms, UPF 50+ means that it will only allow 1/50th of the sun’s rays to penetrate the clothing. Meaning you can have fun in the sun all day, without having to worry about covering their whole body in sun cream every 2 hours.
We’ve created a handy guide to help you make sure their swimwear looks and performs its best all Summer long.
1) Rinse after use
After your day at the beach or the pool, make sure you give your swimwear a quick rinse in warm water to remove any salt water or chlorine. If you have time then it’s best to put it in the washing machine, but if not give it a quick rinse and let it dry naturally overnight. If possible, avoid leaving your swimwear rolled up in a towel after use, as this gives the salt water or chlorine more time to penetrate the fabric, and it can be a breeding ground for bacteria. If your swimwear is sandy, make sure that you give it a good shake outside and brush off any extra sand before rinsing.
2) Wash at 30 degrees
It’s important to wash your swimwear on a gentle cycle, at 30 degrees. A faster spin could damage the fabric, leaving it stretched out and ill fitting. It’s also worthwhile using a laundry bag if you have one, to provide some extra protection in the washing machine.
3) Use a mild detergent
Make sure that you use a mild washing detergent to avoid damaging your swimwear – a standard detergent could have a harsh formula which discolours the fabric. We’d recommend using a washing detergent which is specially formulated for delicates, such as Ecover Wool & Silk, or Woolite Everyday Delicates. Avoid using fabric softener, as this can cause your swimwear to absorb more water than it’s designed to - therefore slowing down the drying process and potentially leaving it with a musty smell.
4) Do not stretch or wring
Avoid wringing the water out of your swimwear, as this stretches the elastic which may leave it stretched out and ill-fitting. To speed up the drying process, we’d recommend rolling your garment in a clean, dry towel, and pressing down to absorb any excess water.
5) Line dry
Finally, once you have washed your swimwear, you should hang it on a washing line or rack, out of direct sunlight. Never tumble dry - the heat will damage the elasticity of the fabric. Please remember not to bleach, iron or dry clean your swimwear, as this will also cause damage to its appearance and shape.
We hope you enjoy hours of fun in the sun with your little ones this summer. Our products are made to last, so if taken care of properly, they will last years and can be handed down to younger siblings or smaller adventurers to enjoy.
Shop our latest swimwear collection here.
