Combined with the functionality of a custom closet system, these swimsuit storage ideas will help you take the best care possible of your most important summer garments.

Summer is coming to an unfortunate close—and for those of us who have barely peeled off our swimwear all season (looking at you, Santa Cruz) it can be quite the rude awakening. For those who live on the beach or who simply live to lay out beside the pool, swim suits are the most important clothing category. We spend hours shopping for just the perfect fit and color and then struggle throughout the year to keep each piece in pristine condition. And given how high-quality swimsuits always seem to cost a fortune apiece, you definitely want to ensure that you’re storing them correctly. So, what’s the best way to store bathing suits?

Whether you’re looking for a storage solution that keeps your swimwear easily accessible or you’re looking for a safe way to keep them out of sight until the warmth returns next year, the following ideas will help you decide how to best preserve their quality. Combined with the functionality of a custom closet system, these swimsuit storage ideas will change the way you preserve the most important garments in your wardrobe.

The Swimwear Storage Problem

You’d think that such small items of clothing would take up very little space and require little additional effort to store. However, if you’re a proud beach bum or pool shark, you’ll understand the problem with this theory. You can’t just take off your swimsuits and toss them into a plastic bin. You’re likely to end up with bikini straps tangled together, swim trunks in an unbearably wrinkled state, and matching pieces forever separated from one another.

Because it’s always wet, swimwear requires careful attention. Lingering moisture in your bathing attire can lead to mildew—which is unpleasant to deal with no matter what time of year it is. Meanwhile, the smell of chlorine, salt water, or the lake seems to permeate any other clothing that you store nearby and requires you to deep clean the entire closet. And between seasons, no matter what you try, it always seems that your darker materials fade and your perfectly white suits yellow before you can dig them out again.

Dealing with so many issues can seem like a chore that’s easier to ignore than deal with—but why waste all that money (and those gorgeous swimsuits)? To save you some trouble, we’ve come up with a handy set of DOs and DON’Ts to guide you on your journey toward taking better care of your swimwear and how to store swimsuits. With the proper care and storage in the perfect closet setup, you’ll have much better luck avoiding these problems and getting the most out of your beach and pool attire.

Swimwear Storage DOs

Looking for a step-by-step guide to preserving your swimsuits year-round? Following the tips below will help you keep your swimwear in top condition, no matter what time of year we’re in:

• DO rinse your suits after each use. This can be annoying, but it’s the single most important tip for preserving the color and integrity of these fabrics. You’ll thank me later.

• DO hand wash your swimwear at the end of the season. Using a gentle soap that’s appropriate for the color of your suit (darkening and lightening solutions are always for sale at the supermarket), gently hand wash each of your suits. Do your best to remove any sand, sunscreen, and oils from the fibers.

• DO let your suits air dry. To keep the shape of your suit, it’s best to dry swimwear on a flat surface—perhaps the top of a horizontal drying rack. Make sure you leave time for your suit to dry completely to prevent mildew. You can’t skip this step.

• DO use an open plastic bin during the summer months. For easy access, we’d recommend keeping your dry swimwear in an open plastic bin (minus the lid, which allows for better air circulation). I prefer to keep my bin in a designated cabinet in my custom laundry room, just in case there are any lingering scents.

• DO use a drawer during the off season. When you’re wanting to store your suits for the colder months, it’s best to keep them in a sturdy, high-quality drawer. After washing and drying, place each suit in a small mesh bag (like those used for delicates in your washing machine) to keep pieces together. Place a dryer sheet in the drawer with your suits to keep them smelling fresh until you’re ready to wear them again.

Swimwear Storage DON’Ts

Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to add some nuance to your storage routine. We caution you against the following habits:

• DON’T wring out or scrunch up your suit. Whether you’re elbows-deep in the washing process or just trying to get the water out before you hang it up to dry, refrain from twisting and crushing the fibers of the suit. Swimwear fabrics are delicate and can easily wrinkle and lose their form.

• DON’T dry your swimwear in the dryer. We understand that using the gentle cycle on your washing machine might be a valuable shortcut for busy families or those of us who simply can’t be bothered to hand wash anything. But for the love of all things sunny, don’t put your swimwear in the dryer. This is the quickest way to break down the fabric and fade the colors.

• DON’T store suits in the garage or attic. Extreme temperatures are obviously tough on swimwear fabrics. Instead, designate a little space to store your swimwear in a custom master closet. Not only does this save them from the high highs and low lows of your non-air conditioned areas, it also makes them that much more convenient to grab for your next pool party or beach trip, whenever that may be.

• DON’T store swimwear in plastic bags. Even though this seems like a genius idea for keeping sets together, just don’t do it. Airtight containers are the number one culprit for growing mildew and mold, especially for swimwear.

Swimsuit Storage Gone Custom

Now that you’ve got the perfect process for how to care for your vital summer wardrobe down pat, all you need is the perfect space to store your suits. For high-quality materials, drawers, and shelving, a standard closet simply won’t do. With a custom organization system in your master closet, you’ll have a perfectly designated space for storing your swimwear year-round.

Interested in learning more about how custom closets can change your storage game for good? Schedule a free design consultation with one of Closet America’s design experts. From swimwear to winter coats and even your DC uniform, we are happy to work with you on a design that fits everything in its place, perfectly.

First image (girl playing in water) source: Unsplash user Leo Rivas-Micoud
Third image (girl sitting by pool) source: Unsplash user margot pandone
Lead image source: Unsplash user Haley Phelps