Listen, we're all guilty of wanting to take the easy way out and toss our suits in the washer, but doing so could severely deteriorate the suit — mainly by causing the dye to fade and the fabric to pill. Swimwear should instead be rinsed in cool water and then air dried. "Handwashing will prevent stretch, bleeding washout, and pilling on softer fabrics," says Nicole. When handwashing, Bristow recommends filling a basin with cool water, adding your bikini and a few drops of bikini wash (or gentle detergent), and gently kneading the soap into the fabric. "Make sure to avoid loosening the fabric by aggressively wringing out the wet suit, too," she adds. "Let the suit soak for 10-15 minutes, then hang or lay flat to dry in a shaded area." If you absolutely must use the washing machine, make sure to at least switch the cycle to delicate, use a gentle detergent, and do not tumble dry under any circumstances.