How to Care for Your Franco Marine Swimwear: The Complete Guide
Your Franco Marine swimwear is crafted from premium materials - nylon-spandex blends, woven jacquard fabrics, and hand-crafted crochet lace - that are designed to last season after season. But even the finest luxury swimwear needs proper care to maintain its shape, colour, and quality. Here is your complete guide to washing, drying, storing, and protecting your investment.
1. Rinse Immediately After Every Wear
This is the single most important step in swimwear care. Whether you have been in the pool, the sea, or simply sunbathing, always rinse your swimwear in cold, clean water as soon as possible after wearing it.
- After pool use: Chlorine is the number one enemy of swimwear fabric. It breaks down elastic fibres and causes fading. Rinse thoroughly to remove all chlorine residue
- After sea use: Salt water and sand can degrade fabric over time. Rinse until the water runs completely clear
- After sunbathing: Sunscreen and body oils can stain and weaken fabric fibres - always rinse even if you have not been in the water
Pro tip: Never leave your swimwear sitting wet in a bag or rolled in a towel - this accelerates colour fading and fabric breakdown.
2. How to Wash Your Luxury Swimwear
Always hand wash your Franco Marine swimwear. Machine washing - even on a delicate cycle - can damage the fabric, stretch the elastic, and degrade gold hardware details.
Step-by-Step Hand Washing Guide:
- Fill a clean basin or sink with cold water - never warm or hot
- Add a small amount of mild, pH-neutral detergent or a specialist swimwear wash
- Gently submerge your swimwear and swirl softly for 1-2 minutes - do not scrub, wring, or twist
- Rinse thoroughly under cold running water until all soap is removed
- Gently press out excess water - never wring or twist
What to avoid:
- Never use biological detergents, bleach, or fabric softener
- Never wash in hot water - it breaks down elastic fibres
- Never machine wash, even on a gentle cycle
- Never use a washing machine spin cycle
3. How to Dry Your Swimwear Correctly
Drying is where most swimwear damage occurs. Follow these steps to preserve your fabric, shape, and hardware:
- Lay flat to dry - always lay your swimwear flat on a clean, dry towel or drying rack. Never hang it by the straps as this stretches the fabric and distorts the shape
- Dry in the shade - direct sunlight causes colour fading, even when the swimwear is not being worn. Always dry away from direct sun
- Never tumble dry - heat destroys elastic fibres and can melt or warp gold hardware details
- Never iron - heat damages nylon-spandex and jacquard fabrics permanently
- Allow to dry completely before storing - storing damp swimwear causes mildew and fabric breakdown
4. Special Care for Jacquard Swimwear
Franco Marine's jacquard pieces - including the MASSIMA collection - feature woven-in patterns that require extra care:
- Turn inside out before washing to protect the woven surface
- Be especially gentle when rinsing - do not rub the fabric surface
- Lay flat to dry with the pattern side facing down to protect the texture
- Store flat or loosely rolled - never fold sharply along pattern lines
5. Special Care for Crochet & Lace Swimwear
Hand-crafted crochet pieces from the Viva la Vida collection are unique artisanal items that need gentle handling:
- Hand wash only - extremely gently, with minimal agitation
- Support the full weight of the piece when wet - crochet stretches easily when heavy with water
- Lay flat to dry on a clean towel, reshaping gently while still damp
- Store flat to maintain the shape of the crochet work
- Avoid snagging on jewellery, rough surfaces, or pool edges
6. How to Store Your Swimwear Between Seasons
Proper storage is essential for keeping your luxury swimwear looking new year after year:
- Clean before storing: Always wash and dry completely before putting away for the season - never store worn swimwear
- Store flat or loosely rolled: Avoid folding sharply along the same lines repeatedly as this weakens fabric fibres
- Use a breathable storage bag: Avoid plastic bags or airtight containers - fabric needs to breathe
- Keep away from direct sunlight: Store in a cool, dark drawer or wardrobe away from UV exposure
- Separate from rough fabrics: Store away from zips, velcro, or rough textures that can snag delicate fabric
- Protect gold hardware: Wrap pieces with gold buckles or straps in soft tissue paper to prevent scratching
7. How to Protect Your Swimwear from Damage
Prevention is the best care. Follow these tips to extend the life of your Franco Marine swimwear:
- Apply sunscreen before putting on your swimwear - allow it to absorb fully into your skin first. Sunscreen chemicals can stain and degrade fabric
- Avoid sitting on rough surfaces - pool edges, wooden decks, and rough stone can snag and pill delicate fabrics
- Rotate between pieces - wearing the same swimsuit every day does not allow the elastic fibres to recover. Rotating between two or more pieces significantly extends their life
- Shower before entering the pool - this reduces the amount of chlorine your swimwear absorbs
- Remove immediately after swimming - do not sit in wet swimwear for extended periods
Quick Reference: Franco Marine Swimwear Care Checklist
- Rinse in cold water immediately after every wear
- Hand wash only with mild, pH-neutral detergent
- Never wring, twist, or machine wash
- Lay flat to dry in the shade - never tumble dry or iron
- Store clean, dry, and flat in a breathable bag away from sunlight
- Apply sunscreen before wearing - not after
- Rotate between pieces to extend elastic life
Your Franco Marine swimwear is a luxury investment - treat it with the same care you would give to fine lingerie or couture clothing, and it will reward you with seasons of beautiful wear. Shop our full collection of bikini tops, bikini bottoms, and one-piece swimsuits crafted from premium European fabrics.