What is the best fabric for chlorine resistant swimwear?
First, let’s acknowledge the difference between swimwear needed for the beach and swimwear needed for pools. Pools are often treated with chlorine and other chemicals to maintain a hygienic environment. Unfortunately, chlorine causes most swimwear to fade and break down quickly. However, a few fabrics resist chlorine and these chemicals pretty well. Overall, the best fabrics for swimwear and swimsuits used at pools, waterparks, or other chlorinated environments are often found as a blend of two or three fabrics. Before we discuss which fabric is best, we can definitely say it is not nylon. Nylon has positive qualities when not being used in chlorine, BUT the reaction it has with chlorine causes most nylon based fabrics to break down quickly. If you want a chlorine resistant bathing suit or shorts, it is best to avoid nylon based swimwear.
So, which fabrics are the best for repeated use in chlorine?
1. Polyester:
Polyester is a durable synthetic fabric that has shown the most resilience to chlorine. It is typically combined with other fabrics to create a more durable and flexible blend, for a variety of applications. Polyester is hands down, the most common and the best fabric for swimwear used in chlorine. For more details on Polyester, we like these pages: Polyester Fabric & Polyester Details
2. Spandex / Elastane
Spandex and Elastane are the most preferred fabrics to blend with Polyester for use in chlorine. Elastane and Spandex are the same thing, but you might hear them referred to separately or in place of each other, but both names refer to the exact same fabric. By itself, spandex / elastane is not recommended for repeated use in chlorine, but does not decrease the integrity of Polyester when blended together. Fore more insight into the composition of spandex, check this page out: Spandex Fabric
Best fabric for chlorine resistant swimwear:
The simple answer is Polyester. Polyester by itself has excellent durability and withstands chlorine best. However, Polyester has varying qualities depending on the construction and the source. Simply put, a higher quality polyester lasts longer in chlorine. Not all Polyesters are equal. Check with your swimwear provider to find out which Polyester they use, and if they have a fabric that has undergone chlorine testing or has been rated for repeated chlorine use. Chances are, if they source a polyester fabric that is constructed of higher quality materials, they are paying a higher premium and the price of the swimwear will reflect this, and last much longer. Some swimwear and apparel manufacturers have proprietary sources of fabric that separate them from competition. Once again, not all Polyesters are equal, but simply put, Polyester is the best material for chlorine resistant swimsuits, swimwear, and apparel.
Polyester Blend for comfort and flexibility:
While it is true that Polyester is the best for chlorine, it may not be the most desirable for creating a flexible and comfortable swim suit or pair of shorts. As we mentioned above, Polyester is often blended with Spandex. Spandex(elastane) is known for its flexibility and stretch, so it is often blended with Polyester to create an equally durable and flexible fabric that is the best quality for use in chlorine.
The ratio of Polyester to Spandex is also important. Although Spandex is a chlorine resistant material, the Polyester is typically much stronger in chlorine, so a Polyester dominant blend is preferred. For example, anything with 85% or more Polyester is a good place to start. High quality blends of fabric design for repeated chlorine use will usually be around 90% polyester and 10% spandex.
Here at Watermen Brand, we have spent years sourcing the most chlorine resistant fabric for our swimwear and swim suits. Over the past two decades, our clients and customers have helped us with their feedback to create a line of swimwear that lasts multiple seasons under daily chlorine use. Our high quality polyester and spandex blend is rated for daily use in pools, water parks, and any other chlorinated environments. These two top selling shorts and rash guard are quality tested and produced with chlorine in mind:
Examples of Chlorine Resistant Swimwear:
Men’s Elastic Waist Classic Short
Women’s Elastic Waist Aloha Stretch Short
Elite Long Sleeve Rashguard & Elite Short Sleeve Rashguard
Watermen Brand top selling swimwear and apparel for daily use in chlorine. Highly recommended for pool lifeguards, water parks, and more.