A good pair of swim trunks shouldn't need replacing every season. Most men go through them faster than necessary — not because the trunks wore out, but because they were washed wrong, dried wrong, or left sitting in a wet bag after a day at the beach.
Le Club Original's swim trunks are made from 92% recycled polyester — a performance fabric built to hold up in the water. With the right care, they'll keep their shape, color, and elastic for years. Here's exactly what to do.
Step 1: Rinse Immediately After Every Use
This is the most important step — and the one most men skip.
Chlorine, salt, and sunscreen are the three biggest enemies of swimwear fabric. All three break down elastic fibers over time, fade color, and degrade the material. The longer they sit in the fabric, the more damage they do.
What to do: As soon as you're done swimming, rinse your trunks thoroughly in cold fresh water. You don't need soap at this stage — just run them under a tap or shower until the water runs clear. This removes the bulk of the chlorine, salt, and sunscreen before they have time to set.
If you can't rinse immediately: At a minimum, get them out of the bag and let them air out. Wet trunks sealed in a beach bag for hours are a fast route to faded color and broken-down elastic.
Step 2: Wash Gently — By Hand When Possible
Swim trunks don't need aggressive washing. The goal is to remove sunscreen residue and body oils without stressing the fabric or elastic.
Hand wash (preferred): Fill a sink with cool water, add a small amount of mild detergent — something gentle, without bleach or optical brighteners — and gently work the fabric for 1–2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly in cool water until no soap remains.
Machine wash (acceptable): If you're machine washing, use a cold water cycle on the gentlest setting available. Turn the trunks inside out first to protect the print and outer fabric. Use a mild detergent — avoid anything with bleach or fabric softener. Fabric softener coats synthetic fibers and reduces the fabric's quick-dry performance over time.
What to avoid:
- Hot water — it breaks down elastic and can cause color to bleed
- Bleach — even a small amount will fade prints and degrade recycled polyester
- Fabric softener — coats the fibers, reducing performance and breathability
- Washing with rough items like jeans or towels with Velcro — abrasion damages the fabric surface
Step 3: Never Wring — Press and Roll Instead
Wringing twists the fabric and puts direct stress on the elastic waistband. Over time it distorts the shape and shortens the life of the waistband significantly.
What to do instead: Lay the trunks flat on a clean towel, fold the towel over them, and press or roll firmly to absorb excess water. They'll be damp but not soaking — ready to hang dry.
Step 4: Air Dry — Always
Heat is the single fastest way to destroy swim trunks. A single run through a hot dryer can shrink the waistband, melt the elastic, and permanently distort the shape of the fabric.
What to do: Hang your trunks to dry in a shaded, well-ventilated spot. Avoid hanging them in direct sunlight — UV exposure fades color over time, especially on printed fabrics.
Never:
- Put them in a dryer, even on low heat
- Dry them draped over a hot surface (a car dashboard, a metal railing in direct sun)
- Leave them flat in direct sun for extended periods
Most swim trunks air dry within an hour or two in warm weather — there's no practical reason to use a dryer.
Step 5: Store Them Properly
Once dry, store your trunks flat or loosely folded in a drawer — not compressed at the bottom of a bag or shoved into a tight space. Prolonged compression distorts the shape of the waistband.
If you're packing for travel, fold them loosely and place them near the top of your bag rather than packed tightly at the bottom.
Off-season storage: Clean and completely dry before putting them away. Storing damp swimwear — even slightly damp — leads to mildew and fabric breakdown that you won't notice until you pull them out next summer.
What Damages Swim Trunks Fastest
For reference, here's what shortens the life of swim trunks most quickly — in order of impact:
1. Chlorine left in the fabric. Pool chemicals are the most corrosive thing your trunks will encounter. Rinsing immediately after swimming eliminates most of the damage.
2. Machine drying. Even one cycle on high heat can do permanent damage to the waistband elastic. Air dry every time.
3. Sunscreen buildup. Chemical sunscreens (particularly those with oxybenzone and avobenzone) bond to synthetic fibers and degrade them over time. Rinsing after each use prevents accumulation.
4. Salt water left to dry. Salt crystals that form as salt water evaporates are abrasive and accelerate fabric wear. Always rinse after ocean swimming.
5. Sitting in a wet bag. Extended moisture with no airflow promotes mildew and elastic breakdown. Get them out of the bag and rinsed as soon as you can.
How Long Should Men's Swim Trunks Last?
With proper care, a well-made pair of swim trunks should last three to five seasons of regular use. Le Club Original's trunks are made from 92% recycled polyester — a fabric that holds color and shape well with correct care.
If your trunks are fading after one season, the most likely culprits are: chlorine left in the fabric, machine drying, or direct sun drying. All three are avoidable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you wash men's swim trunks? Rinse in cold fresh water immediately after swimming to remove chlorine, salt, and sunscreen. Then hand wash in cool water with a small amount of mild detergent, or machine wash on a cold, gentle cycle with the trunks turned inside out. Avoid bleach, fabric softener, and hot water.
Can you put swim trunks in the dryer? No. Heat breaks down the elastic in the waistband and can permanently distort the fabric. Always air dry swim trunks in a shaded, ventilated spot. Most swim trunks dry within an hour or two in warm weather.
How do you get sunscreen out of swim trunks? Hand wash with a mild detergent in cool water as soon as possible after use. For built-up sunscreen residue, soak the trunks in cool water with a small amount of dish soap for 15–20 minutes before washing — dish soap is effective at cutting through the oils in sunscreen without damaging the fabric.
Why do swim trunks lose their elastic so fast? The three main causes are: chlorine left in the fabric, heat from machine drying, and wringing the waistband to remove water. Rinsing immediately after each use, air drying, and pressing out water gently (rather than wringing) will significantly extend the life of the elastic.
How do you keep swim trunks from fading? Rinse in cold water immediately after swimming. Wash in cold water only. Air dry in the shade — direct sun fades printed fabrics over time. Avoid bleach or any detergent containing optical brighteners, which strip color from synthetic fabrics.
How long do swim trunks last? With proper care — rinsing after every use, gentle cold washing, and air drying — a quality pair of swim trunks should last three to five seasons of regular use. The most common reason trunks fail prematurely is machine drying or chlorine buildup in the fabric.
Can you wash swim trunks with regular clothes? You can, but it's not ideal. Washing with rough items like jeans or towels with Velcro causes surface abrasion on the swim trunk fabric. If machine washing with other clothes, stick to soft items and use a cold, gentle cycle.
Shop Le Club Original's men's swim trunks — made from 92% recycled polyester, designed for years of resort and beach use. Free domestic shipping on orders over $50.