Chlorine pools EAT bathing suits.
My wife has some really nice designer suits and I have a few triathlon suits that cost upwards near $200 (actually, the 2XU Super Elite suit is $260). It's always a heart-break when you look and see that all-too-familar deteriorating fiber telling you it's time to stick a fork in it.
I've contacted 3M and their ScotchGuard won't do anything, there doesn't seem to be much anything on the market. I have some chlorine-removal hair shampoo, but it's chemical chealator is also pretty tough on clothing. About the only thing anyone can do is simply rinse well after use and let dry.
I wish I could report on something that would substantially preserve and add dramatic life to fabrics exposed to chlorine...but chlorine is an oxidizer and nothing can stand-up to it. I recently bought a suit that was supposed to be more polyester and "chlorine resistant".....nope, it fell apart even quicker then the lycra/nylon stuff.
So here is the ONE tip that seems to HELP. When the garment is new, combine in the sink 1 gallon of water and about 1/4-1/3 cup vinegar. Let the garment soak about 5 minutes, rinse and then let dry. The solution will help set the ink and almost DOUBLE the life of the garment. This tip from a gal who used to train 4 hours per day in a pool. Double may not seem great, but if you think about it...it's like getting the suit for half-price.
Another small tip is to pre-wet the garment before getting into the pool. This is also good for your hair: don't let the first wetness be chlorinated. Hopefully the fabric and your hair will mostly absorb fresh water...so rinse-off or shower pool-side before getting in.
Btw....the chlorine removal shampoo & conditioner really do work! It's the difference between nasty-dry-thrashed hair, and almost normal hair. But make no mistake, the more the chlorine, the more corrossive the effect on EVERYTHING.
Also, studies say exposure to chlorine does not affect hair-growth. That's just not true. At my gym the swimming-pro teaches all day and since getting into the job he claims not to have had a haircut for over a year (his hair is short) and he now has ZERO body-hair! The skin is your largest organ and it does absorb what it contacts: chlorine is a anti-life....do the math!
My wife has some really nice designer suits and I have a few triathlon suits that cost upwards near $200 (actually, the 2XU Super Elite suit is $260). It's always a heart-break when you look and see that all-too-familar deteriorating fiber telling you it's time to stick a fork in it.
I've contacted 3M and their ScotchGuard won't do anything, there doesn't seem to be much anything on the market. I have some chlorine-removal hair shampoo, but it's chemical chealator is also pretty tough on clothing. About the only thing anyone can do is simply rinse well after use and let dry.
I wish I could report on something that would substantially preserve and add dramatic life to fabrics exposed to chlorine...but chlorine is an oxidizer and nothing can stand-up to it. I recently bought a suit that was supposed to be more polyester and "chlorine resistant".....nope, it fell apart even quicker then the lycra/nylon stuff.
So here is the ONE tip that seems to HELP. When the garment is new, combine in the sink 1 gallon of water and about 1/4-1/3 cup vinegar. Let the garment soak about 5 minutes, rinse and then let dry. The solution will help set the ink and almost DOUBLE the life of the garment. This tip from a gal who used to train 4 hours per day in a pool. Double may not seem great, but if you think about it...it's like getting the suit for half-price.
Another small tip is to pre-wet the garment before getting into the pool. This is also good for your hair: don't let the first wetness be chlorinated. Hopefully the fabric and your hair will mostly absorb fresh water...so rinse-off or shower pool-side before getting in.
Btw....the chlorine removal shampoo & conditioner really do work! It's the difference between nasty-dry-thrashed hair, and almost normal hair. But make no mistake, the more the chlorine, the more corrossive the effect on EVERYTHING.
Also, studies say exposure to chlorine does not affect hair-growth. That's just not true. At my gym the swimming-pro teaches all day and since getting into the job he claims not to have had a haircut for over a year (his hair is short) and he now has ZERO body-hair! The skin is your largest organ and it does absorb what it contacts: chlorine is a anti-life....do the math!
