How do you care for a burkini so it lasts?

Rinse the burkini in cool fresh water straight after every swim to remove salt or chlorine, hand wash it with a mild soap, then dry it in the shade, away from direct sun. Avoid hot water, the tumble dryer, ironing and bleach to protect the fabric’s stretch and colour.

Straight after swimming

Salt and chlorine are the main enemies of any swim fabric. Rinse the piece in cool fresh water as soon as you can, and never leave it folded and wet at the bottom of a bag for hours — that speeds up fading and causes odours.

Washing

Hand washing in cool water with a mild soap is best. Do not scrub hard or wring the fabric; just press gently to push the water out. If you must machine wash, use a laundry bag and a cold, very gentle cycle.

Drying

Dry the piece flat, in the shade, somewhere airy. Direct sun and tumble dryers weaken the elastic fibres and fade the colour — the most common reason swimwear dies after a single summer.

What to avoid

Hot water, bleach, fabric softener, ironing, and sitting down wet on concrete or rough rocks. These small habits are the difference between a piece that lasts one season and one that lasts several.