Australians spend a good portion of the year near a pool, whether lap swimming at the local aquatic centre in Brisbane or enjoying the ocean baths around Sydney's eastern suburbs. The combination of UV, salt, and treated pool water means swimwear gets a serious workout in the local climate. Lascana pieces feature bold prints and supportive cuts that customers love, yet even quality fabrics need targeted care. Pool water treated with chlorine can quietly erode elastane fibres and dull colours over time, which makes a few simple habits well worth the effort.
Many shoppers pick up discounted Lascana pieces from outlet stores and want to keep them fresh across seasons. With Australian summers stretching from November through March and year-round swimming common in warmer regions like Queensland and Western Australia, a single swimsuit might see dozens of pool sessions each year. Building a small post-swim routine helps preserve elasticity, shape, and colour. The following sections cover practical habits, washing approaches, drying tricks, and storage tips suited to local conditions.
It is not always obvious at first glance. A favourite bikini may feel slightly looser after a long weekend, the colours may look a touch duller, or the band may no longer feel snug. Catching these subtle changes early keeps swimwear looking crisp and supportive for far longer.
Chlorine is added to public and backyard pools across Australia to keep water safe, but it interacts aggressively with the spandex, lycra, and polyester blends used in modern swimwear. The chemical bonds with elastic fibres and causes them to lose their snap, which is why a beloved bikini top may stretch out after a single busy summer. Bright prints also fade when oxidised chlorine lingers in the fabric.
Australian aquatic facilities maintain strict chlorine levels year-round, particularly in suburban complexes in places like Parramatta, the Gold Coast, or inner Melbourne. Even residential pools in Adelaide or Perth often use stabilised chlorine that lingers in fibres long after rinsing. Saltwater systems are gentler but still expose fabric to minerals that build up over repeated dips.
A quick shower before entering the pool helps saturate the fabric with clean water, which reduces how much chlorinated water the swimsuit can absorb. Spending thirty seconds under the outdoor shower at your local pool in Brisbane or Sydney's beachside facilities can meaningfully extend the life of a favourite Lascana set.
Applying a thin layer of barrier cream to skin before dressing can also limit direct chemical contact with the suit. Sunscreens are essential under the harsh local sun, but choosing mineral-based formulas and rinsing them off promptly after a session prevents extra residue from setting into the fabric. Some swimmers in cooler southern climates prefer full-body rashies under their swimwear, adding another layer of protection.
Heading into chlorinated water with a damp suit is the single most effective habit for reducing damage. Regular swimmers at suburban pools in Carindale or at the Maroubra ocean baths often keep a small spray bottle of fresh water in their car to spritz the suit before diving in.
The most important rule is to rinse swimwear in cool, fresh water as soon as a session ends. Many Australian pools, including ocean baths at Bronte and Maroubra, have outdoor taps specifically for this purpose. Hand washing with a mild detergent is far gentler than a regular washing machine. A short soak of ten to fifteen minutes loosens chlorine, salt, sunscreen, and body oils before they set into the weave.
If a machine wash is unavoidable, place the swimsuit inside a mesh laundry bag and use the delicate cycle with cold water. Skip fabric softeners entirely, as they coat elastic fibres and reduce stretch recovery. Air drying is the only safe option for Lascana pieces; tumble dryers will shrink and damage spandex within a single cycle.
Avoid bleach, even on white pieces, as it accelerates the breakdown of elastane. A small splash of white vinegar in the rinse water helps neutralise remaining chlorine, especially useful for swimmers who frequent heavily chlorinated public pools in places like inner Sydney or central Brisbane.
Heat is the enemy of stretchy swimwear fabric. Direct sunlight feels like the natural choice under the Australian sky, but UV rays break down elastane just as aggressively as chlorine does. Lay pieces flat on a shaded towel, reshape cups and straps by hand, and let them dry indoors or under cover. A breezy laundry in a Queenslander-style home or a Melbourne verandah offers enough airflow without exposing fabric to damaging light.
Resist the urge to wring water out by twisting, which distorts moulded cups. Press the suit gently between two towels instead to absorb excess moisture. Drying racks with good ventilation, kept away from radiators that Australians run during chilly Canberra winters, help pieces dry evenly.
Give each Lascana set a full day to dry before packing into a suitcase. Heading off on a flight from Tullamarine with a damp suit invites mildew, so plan to wash and dry well before departure.
Lycra recovers better when given time to rest between wears. Rotating between two or three Lascana sets across a busy week allows each piece to dry fully and fibres to relax back into their original shape. This habit is especially valuable for Australian families who spend weekends at community pools in suburbs like Chatswood or Carindale, where swimwear gets used almost daily.
When one set begins to show signs of fatigue, like slipping straps or a band that no longer feels snug, retire it to the role of beach only and bring out a fresh primary suit. Many local shoppers also pick up discounted coordinating knickers or supportive swim bras while stocking up, making a small rotation affordable and practical.
A small drawer dedicated to swimwear keeps the rotation simple. Fold each Lascana set with its matching cover-up so grabbing a complete outfit for a spontaneous trip to Noosa takes seconds. Labelling sets by season helps family members return the right piece after every wash.
Swimwear that sits bunched in a drawer all winter loses shape and traps moisture that encourages mildew. Folding Lascana pieces flat with a sheet of acid-free tissue between layers prevents prints from transferring and keeps padded cups from sitting flat against hard surfaces. Storing in a cool, dry wardrobe away from direct sunlight is ideal, particularly in homes where the summer heat of Perth or Darwin can push interior temperatures very high.
Keep sets together by outfit so a matching top and bottom are always ready to grab. A small garment bag or breathable cotton pouch adds protection against dust and snags from neighbouring zippers. Skip plastic containers, which trap moisture and encourage yellowing over the cooler months.
Periodically airing stored pieces, even once during the off-season, prevents musty odours. A few hours on the line during a dry winter day in Adelaide or a breezy spring morning in Sydney refreshes fabric without exposing the suit to harsh midday UV.
Pool days rarely end at the waterline, especially when heading to a beachside café in Byron Bay or strolling the Esplanade in Cairns. Cover-ups like lightweight kaftans, jumpers and cardigans, and linen shirts shield swimwear from prolonged sun exposure while keeping the chill off as the afternoon cools. Choosing breathable natural fibres helps both the cover-up and the suit beneath last longer through a long Australian summer.
Match the care approach to the cover-up: cold washes, shade drying, and flat storage apply just as readily to a cotton cardigan as to a swimsuit. Avoid hanging heavy knits, which can stretch the shoulders, and instead fold them with the same attention given to the swimwear itself. A small basket by the back door becomes the dedicated home for these pieces, so they go straight into the wash after every beach visit.
Rotating cover-ups alongside swimwear keeps the whole warm-weather wardrobe in good condition, from Christmas barbecues in Sydney to autumn dips in the outdoor pools of the Adelaide Hills. With consistent care, a well-loved Lascana set can hold its shape, colour, and supportive feel across several Australian summers.