July 2023

During the summer months, the best place to cool off is the Erie Station Village pool. And if you find yourself there a lot over the summer, you just might wonder if you’re caring for your swimsuit correctly. Between chlorine and sunscreen – or an occasional poolside snack – a swimsuit can come into contact with chemicals that can cause it to fade, stain, or wear prematurely.

A swimsuit should be washed every time you wear it, whether you go in the water or not. Just relaxing by the pool on a hot day can cause a swimsuit to pick up stains from sunscreen or sweat. Luckily, you don’t have to deep clean your bathing suit every time you wear it. If you are swimming in a pool with a filtration system, you should be fine with a simple rinse in the shower while wearing your suit. If you don’t rinse off with your suit on or you’ve worn it a few times since the last time you laundered it, it’s time to wash it thoroughly. Also, if you are swimming in a pool with heavy amounts of chlorine or in a natural body of water like Lake Ontario, you’ll want to launder it after every use.

You can wash your swimsuit by hand or in the washing machine. If you wash it by hand, fill a sink or a wash basin with room temperature water. Add about a teaspoon of a gentle laundry soap, place your swimsuit in the water and swish it around. Let it soak for 10 minutes and rinse it thoroughly with cool water, making sure no soap residue is left behind. Don’t wring or twist the swimsuit. Roll it in a cotton towel and squeeze out excess moisture. Reshape the suit and lay flat to dry on a clean, dry towel.

To machine wash your suit, treat it like any delicate garment. Fasten any hooks or closures, then place it in a mesh bag. Place the bag in the washer with gentle soap and select the gentle cycle and the coldest water temperature setting. Once finished, reshape the suit and lay it flat to dry on a clean, dry towel.

Here are a few other important tips to keep in mind:

• Never place your swimsuit in the dryer. It can harm the fabric and ruin its elasticity.
• Always lay your swimsuit flat to dry instead of hanging it – which can stretch out the fabric.
• Make sure your suit is completely dry before storing it. You don’t want mold or mildew forming on it.
• You can prevent pilling of your suit by not sitting on the edge of the pool or other rough surfaces.

At Erie Station Village, our in-ground, heated pool is surrounded by well-kept gardens and our pool house includes changing facilities and showers. It’s a wonderful place to relax and enjoy yourself and also connect with your neighbors during the summer months. We hope you make frequent use of it!