Nylon-spandex blends (sometimes called nylon-Lycra or elastane blends) are popular in swimwear and shapewear for their stretch and durability. A common concern is whether these materials shrink with washing or wear. The good news is that nylon and spandex fabrics do not inherently shrink like cotton or wool might. In fact, changes in fit are usually due to other factors – notably heat, chlorine exposure, or wear and tear over time. By understanding the unique properties of nylon-spandex and following proper care, you can maintain your swimwear and shapewear’s fit and elasticity for a long time. This article will explain how to care for these garments – from rinsing chlorine out of swimsuits to drying without distortion – so you can protect your favorite pieces.
The Unique Properties of Nylon-Spandex Blends
Nylon-spandex fabric is a synergistic blend of two synthetic fibers: nylon (a strong polyamide) and spandex (also known as Lycra or elastane). Each fiber contributes different benefits:
- Nylon for Strength: Nylon is a synthetic fiber known for its high tensile strength and abrasion resistance, which gives fabrics durability. It resists tearing and holds up to stress, making it ideal for garments that need to endure stretching and frequent movement.
- Spandex for Stretch: Spandex is an elastic fiber famous for its remarkable stretch and recovery. It can stretch several times its length and snap back to its original shape without losing elasticity. This gives nylon-spandex blends their excellent 4-way stretch and body-hugging fit.
When combined, nylon-spandex fabrics are lightweight, highly elastic, and durable, which is why they’re widely used in activewear, swimwear, dancewear, and shapewear. They also tend to be moisture-wicking, keeping you comfortable during exercise or swimming. Importantly, these blends hold their shape well and are resistant to shrinking under normal conditions. Unlike natural fibers (for example, cotton, which is less elastic and easily shrinks when washed hot), a nylon-spandex material maintains its size and stretch if cared for correctly. In other words, you won’t typically see your swimsuit or compression garment suddenly a size smaller after washing – as long as you avoid the pitfalls discussed next.
Chlorine + Heat = Disaster: How to Rinse Swimsuits
One of the biggest threats to your swimwear’s longevity isn’t ordinary washing shrinkage – it’s chlorine damage and heat. Chlorine is a corrosive chemical commonly used in pools, and it will break down fibers like spandex over time. Add heat into the mix (such as a hot tub or a hot dryer) and the damage accelerates dramatically. For example, sitting in a hot tub full of chlorinated water is like doing double harm to your swimsuit – heat breaks down the elastic fibers and also speeds up chlorine’s corrosive effects. Over time, this can lead to loss of elasticity, fabric thinning, and faded colors.
Proper post-swim care is essential to counteract chlorine and prevent any “shrinking” or degradation of your suit’s fit. Here’s how to protect your swimsuit after each use:
- Rinse Immediately in Cold Water: As soon as you’re done swimming, gently rinse out your swimsuit in cold, fresh water. A cool water rinse will wash out much of the chlorine (or salt, if you were in the ocean) before it can do further harm. The sooner, the better – even a quick rinse in the shower helps dilute residual chlorine.
- Use Mild Cleanser if Needed: If your swimwear has been in a heavily chlorinated pool or has sunscreen and oils on it, consider a brief hand wash with a mild detergent or a specialized swimwear cleaner. Fill a sink with lukewarm or cool water and a small amount of gentle detergent (no bleach or harsh chemicals). Lightly swish the suit and then rinse thoroughly with cool water to remove all soap. (Avoid using strong soaps or machine-washing, as those can strip the elasticity or leave residue.)
- Do Not Wring Out Water: After rinsing, do not twist or wring the swimsuit to remove water. Wringing can stretch and damage the fabric (more on that below). Instead, gently squeeze or press out excess water with your hands. You can also lay the suit flat on a towel, roll it up, and press to soak up moisture. This will get rid of most water without stretching the material.
- Air Dry Flat, Away from Heat: To avoid heat damage, never use a dryer on swimwear. High heat can literally cook the spandex, causing it to lose stretch or even shrink a bit. Instead, lay your swimsuit flat on a dry towel or a rack in a shaded area to air dry. Keep it out of direct sunlight, which can fade colors and weaken fibers over time. (If you must hang it, read the next section for tips – but flat drying is usually best.)
By following these steps, you’ll neutralize chlorine and avoid the heat that could otherwise lead to a misshapen or worn-out swimsuit. Remember, chlorine and heat are the true enemies of nylon-spandex swimwear – not typical washing shrinkage. A little gentle care goes a long way in maintaining your suit’s original size and elasticity.
Why You Should Never Wring Out Nylon Spandex
After washing or rinsing a swimsuit or shapewear garment, it’s tempting to twist it up and wring out all the water. Don’t! Wringing or twisting nylon-spandex fabric is one of the fastest ways to ruin it. This material’s stretch comes from delicate elastic fibers (the spandex) that can be broken down by harsh handling. According to experts, wringing a wet swimsuit “breaks down the elastic” fibers over time, which hurts the garment’s fit and integrity. Essentially, the twisting force can cause the bands of elastane to snap or stretch out, leading to a loss of elasticity that might be perceived as shrinkage (the suit no longer stretches as it used to).
Manufacturers and care guides universally warn against wringing for this reason. For example, one nylon-spandex guide explicitly says to “never wring or twist the fabric” when washing these garments. The same goes for twisting, yanking, or aggressively stretching the item while it’s wet – wet fibers are more vulnerable, and rough handling will deform them. Instead, the safe way to remove excess water is the towel roll technique mentioned earlier: lay the garment on a towel, roll it up, and gently press. This allows the towel to absorb moisture without distorting the fabric. You can also just press the water out with your hands (imagine pressing a sponge) rather than wringing it like a rag.
The bottom line is that nylon-spandex needs gentle handling. Treat your swimwear or shapewear gently when it’s wet. By avoiding the urge to wring it out, you’ll preserve the material’s stretch and shape – keeping your garment fitting like new.
Flat Drying vs. Hanging: Preventing Distortion
How you dry your nylon-spandex items can be the difference between a garment that keeps its shape and one that becomes baggy or misshapen. You’ve rinsed your swimsuit or washed your shapewear – now should you lay it flat or hang it up? Let’s compare these two drying methods and why one is generally better for maintaining shape:
- Flat Drying: Laying your garment flat to dry is highly recommended for nylon-spandex blends. When you dry flat (for example, spread your swimsuit on a dry towel or a mesh drying rack), the weight of the water is distributed evenly and the item isn’t being pulled out of shape. This prevents the fabric from stretching under its own weight. In fact, many sources advise to “lay [the garment] out flat and allow it to air dry” after removing excess water. Flat drying also makes it easy to reshape the item if needed – you can gently form your swimsuit or shaper back to its original silhouette while it’s damp. Another bonus: you avoid hanger marks or stretching that can happen if a heavy wet garment is draped over a line. Always dry flat in the shade if possible, since direct sunlight can cause colors to fade and can weaken the elastic fibers over time. By keeping it flat and out of harsh sun, you ensure a gentle drying process that preserves the fabric’s integrity.
- Hanging to Dry: Hanging is convenient, but it can lead to distortion if done incorrectly. A dripping-wet swimsuit hung by its shoulder straps, for example, means all the water weight is pulling down on a few points of the fabric – this can cause the straps to stretch out or the suit to lengthen. One swimwear care guide warns against hanging a swimsuit on a clothesline for this reason, as “that can stretch out the fabric”. Shapewear (which tends to be heavier, high-compression fabric) is even more prone to stretching if hung; experts say to avoid hanging shapewear entirely, because it “can cause it to stretch and lose its shape”. If you must hang dry, take precautions: first, remove as much water as possible with a towel so it’s not dripping heavy. Hang from a sturdy part of the garment – for instance, for a swimsuit, you might hang it folded over a thick bar or by the waistband rather than by delicate straps. You can even hang it flat over a towel rack (so it’s still basically laying over something). The key is to minimize any stretching stress on one area. And again, keep it out of direct sun. Hanging can be safe if the item is only damp (not sopping) and well-supported, but flat drying is the safer bet to maintain perfect shape.
In summary, proper drying prevents unwanted stretching or “reverse shrinking” (where a garment gets looser instead of tighter). Nylon-spandex clothes won’t shrink much in the wash, but they can gradually lose shape if hung poorly or exposed to heat. So treat them kindly: lay them flat, avoid high heat, and give them time to air dry. Your swimsuits and shapers will thank you by staying firm, stretchy, and true-to-size!
The Verdict on Shrinkage: Fact vs. Fiction Ultimately, a specific question remains for many consumers: does nylon and spandex shrink after repeated washing? The straightforward answer is that while these high-performance fabrics are far more stable and resistant to size reduction than natural fibers like cotton or wool, they are not completely immune to heat-induced distortion. Exposure to high temperatures—whether from a hot dryer, an iron, or scalding water—can shock the synthetic fibers, causing them to constrict unpredictably or, conversely, to lose their elasticity and sag. Therefore, while they don't shrink in the traditional sense, protecting them from heat is crucial. If you stick to cold rinsing and air drying, you won’t have to worry about your garment changing size, ensuring it fits perfectly wear after wear.
By understanding these care principles – no high heat, rinse out chlorine, no wringing, and flat drying – you’ll ensure that your favorite nylon-spandex swimwear and shapewear remain as supportive and comfortable as the day you bought them. With proper care, you can enjoy their stretch and fit season after season without worrying about shrinkage or sagging. Happy swimming (and shaping)!