So you just got the perfect pair of swim shorts for your summertime adventures. Now you’re probably wondering how to care for bathing suits properly so you can keep them looking fresh and clean all season long. We literally have you covered!

Yeah, doing laundry sucks, but it’s a necessary part of life unless you want to be the smelly guy. Although a quick dip in the pool or ocean will do the job for a little while, eventually, you’re going to need to take care of those booze stains after a night of livin’ la vida loca.

Fortunately, washing swim shorts isn’t rocket science. Once you know how to wash bathing suits properly, you won’t have to worry about your fave pair becoming a fond memory. Follow this handy guide, and do your bros a solid and pass the info along!

1. Wash by Hand

A guy doing a backflip into the ocean

Washing your swim shorts by hand is the best way to keep them in tip-top shape, especially if you’re not sure if they are machine washable. If you do decide to throw them in the washing machine, wash them on a delicate cycle with a mild detergent.

If you have the time, let your swim shorts soak in cool water for a half hour or so — that’s how to wash bathing suits to get the best results. The soak helps to break down any sunscreen residue, body oils, pool chemicals, ocean salt, and other materials. While this step is helpful, it’s not mandatory, so don’t stress if you’re in a rush.

As far as how to care for bathing suits by hand goes, fill a sink with cool water and a teaspoon or so of mild detergent. Skip the stain removers, as they’re bad for your shorts and the ocean. Now, gently swish the bathing suit around for five minutes or so. If that’s too much exercise, you can just let it soak for 15 minutes. That’s how to wash bathing suits — yeah, it’s that easy!

2. Rinse With Cool Water

A guy pouring beer into his friend’s mouth at a golf course

So now your beloved swim shorts are sparkly clean, but they’re still soapy. We’ve got a genius solution for you: rinsing! Drain the soapy solution from the sink and hold the shorts under cool running water until there’s zero detergent residue coming off them. 

We recommend using cool water because hot water can break down the prints, causing them to fade faster. That said, it’s worth noting that if you’re washing swim shorts made by Party Pants, fading can be a desirable effect. So, as you determine how to wash bathing suits, you can decide if you want to get that vintage faded look faster by washing with warmer water. 

In fact, we actually treat and wash our shorts with a special enzyme that enhances that fading process — after multiple washes, they take on a well-loved and worn-in vintage vibe that our customers love.

3. Air Dry

A guy jumping into a pool

Drying properly is another factor to keep in mind as you learn how to care for bathing suits. Fortunately, we make this step super easy for you. Our shorts are made to dry incredibly fast so you can move from the pool to the couch without missing a beat. If you’re Googling how to wash bathing suits and dry them that are made by a different brand, you’ve got a long wait ahead of you!

Air drying is important for the same reason as washing by hand — machinery puts unnecessary wear and tear on the special materials. Our shorts are super tough, so using your machines won’t damage them, but it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your favorite bathing suit!

Become a Legend From the Waist Down

Two guys wearing Party Pants shorts at a golf course

There you have it. You’re now a bonafide shorts-washing pro. Now that you’ve learned a new skill, it’s time to put it to use! After all, what’s the point of knowing how to wash bathing suits if you don’t have one worth washing? Check out our unique swim shorts!

While this blog is all about washing swim shorts, we’d like to point out that our shorts aren’t just for swimming! We designed them to be your go-to shorts for any occasion. They look so sweet with our other stylish apparel, including tees, tank tops, cabana sets, rugby shirts, hats, and more. Join the party!

Party Pants