How to Care for Your Handmade Bikini: The Complete Guide
By Santo Pecado USA | June 2026 | Swimwear Care & Style
Investing in a handmade bikini is an investment in craftsmanship, quality, and a piece that was made specifically for you. Unlike mass-produced swimwear churned out by the thousands, each Santo Pecado USA bikini is handcrafted with intention — from the hand-selected tropical prints to the carefully sewn string ties and beaded details. That means it deserves a little extra love when it comes to care.
In this guide, we're breaking down everything you need to know about how to care for your handmade bikini so it stays vibrant, holds its shape, and lasts season after season.
Why Handmade Swimwear Requires Special Care
Most fast-fashion swimwear is made from synthetic blends designed to withstand rough machine washing and harsh detergents. Handmade artisan swimwear is different. The premium lycra-spandex blends, hand-applied embellishments, and custom-dyed prints used in handcrafted pieces are more delicate — not because they're weak, but because they're made to perform and look exceptional, not just survive.
Caring for your handmade bikini properly means:
Colors stay vivid longer, even after repeated sun and pool exposure
Fabric retains its stretch and doesn't sag or lose its shape
Beaded and embellished details stay intact and don't loosen over time
The investment lasts 3–5 seasons instead of just one
Think of it the way you'd treat a silk blouse or a leather bag — a little attention goes a long way.
Rinse Your Bikini Immediately After Every Wear
This is the single most important habit you can build.
Whether you've been in the ocean, a chlorinated pool, or just sweating in the sun, rinse your bikini with cool, clean water as soon as possible after wearing it. Saltwater, chlorine, sunscreen, and sweat are the four biggest enemies of swimwear fabric. Left to sit in the fabric fibers, they break down elasticity and fade colors faster than anything else.
A quick 60-second rinse under the shower or faucet removes most of these damaging residues before they have a chance to set. Don't wring it — just let it drip.
Hand Wash with a Gentle Detergent (Cold Water Only)
Never machine wash a handmade bikini. The agitation and spinning of a washing machine is brutal on delicate swimwear fabric, and even a "delicate cycle" can stretch out string ties, snag embellishments, and fade prints prematurely.
How to hand wash your bikini:
Fill a clean sink or basin with cool or lukewarm water — never hot
Add a small amount of gentle swimwear detergent (Woolite, Soak, or a dedicated swimwear wash)
Submerge your bikini and gently swish it around for 1–2 minutes
Focus on areas with sunscreen buildup — usually the bust lining and waistband
Rinse thoroughly until the water runs completely clear
Press (don't wring) the water out by gently squeezing the fabric against the sink
For pieces with beading or embellishments like the Santo Pecado Golden Sol Beaded String Bikini, be extra gentle around the decorative areas during washing.
Dry Flat — Never in the Dryer, Never in Direct Sun
Two drying mistakes that will shorten the life of your handmade bikini:
❌ The Dryer
Heat is catastrophic for lycra and spandex. Even one cycle in a dryer can permanently break down the elastic fibers in your bikini, causing it to sag, lose its fit, and never quite bounce back. Always air dry.
❌ Direct Sunlight for Extended Periods
Yes, bikinis are made for the beach — but prolonged exposure to intense UV rays when the piece is wet and idle (like draped over a railing in the afternoon sun) will bleach and fade even the most vibrant tropical prints.
✅ The Right Way: Flat Dry in Shade
After washing, lay your bikini flat on a clean dry towel in a shaded spot. Reshape the cups if needed. Let it air dry naturally. This preserves the stretch, the shape, and the color integrity of the fabric.
Storage Tips for Handmade Swimwear
How you store your bikini between wears and between seasons matters more than most people realize.
During the swim season:
Store clean, fully dry bikinis in a drawer or breathable fabric pouch
Avoid folding heavily or cramming into tight spaces — this can create permanent creases in structured cups
Keep away from rough surfaces like velcro straps or sharp buckles that can snag delicate fabric
Off-season storage:
Wash and dry completely before storing for months
Store flat, not rolled or bunched
Avoid plastic bags (traps moisture) — use a clean cotton pouch or pillowcase instead
Keep in a cool, dark, dry location
Special Care for Beaded and Embellished Pieces
Santo Pecado bikinis with hand-applied beads, shells, or metallic thread embellishments need a few extra precautions:
Turn inside out before washing to protect the embellishments
Avoid soaking for more than 10–15 minutes
Do not scrub embellished areas — gentle swishing is enough
After washing, gently pat the embellished areas dry with a soft towel before laying flat
If a bead loosens, don't pull it — set aside and have it re-secured by a seamstress or contact us for repair guidance
What to Avoid: The Bikini Care Don'ts
❌ AvoidWhyMachine washingAgitation destroys elasticity and snags detailsHot waterBreaks down lycra fibers permanentlyBleach or harsh detergentsFades prints and weakens fabric structureWringing or twistingDistorts shape and stretches string ties unevenlyDrying in direct afternoon sunUV bleaching of colors when wetSitting on rough surfaces in the bikiniPool concrete, brick walls, rough wood can snag and pill fabricApplying sunscreen directly on the fabricApply sunscreen to skin and let it absorb fully before putting on your bikini
How Long Should a Handmade Bikini Last?
With proper care, a high-quality handmade bikini like those from Santo Pecado USA should last 3 to 5 full swim seasons — sometimes longer. Compare that to a $20 fast-fashion bikini that loses its shape and color after a single summer, and the math on investing in artisan swimwear makes itself.
The key variables that affect longevity:
Frequency of use — a bikini worn daily will naturally wear faster than one worn on weekend trips
Exposure to chlorine — pool swimmers should rinse and wash after every single use without exception
Sun and heat — store your piece correctly and avoid heat drying
Care consistency — one machine wash can undo months of careful hand washing
Our Favorite Swimwear Care Products
These are the gentle products we recommend for caring for your Santo Pecado bikini:
Soak Wash — fragrance-free, no-rinse formula perfect for delicate knits and swimwear
Woolite Delicates — widely available, gentle on fabrics and colors
Nikwax Boardshort Wash — excellent for removing sunscreen buildup without damaging fabric
Eucalan Delicate Wash — plant-based, no-rinse, ideal for travel
Avoid any detergents with enzymes, bleaching agents, or "brightening" formulas — these are designed for cotton and will damage stretch fabrics.
A Note From Us
Every Santo Pecado USA bikini is made by hand, one piece at a time, with care put into every stitch and detail. We want your piece to feel as stunning in your third season as it did when you first put it on. If you ever have a question about caring for your specific style, or if you need a repair, reach out to us at sales@santopecadousa.com — we're here for it.
Ready to add a new handmade piece to your rotation? Shop the full collection →
Santo Pecado USA is a handmade luxury swimwear brand inspired by Venezuelan coastal culture, based in Florida. Each piece is handcrafted with premium fabrics and designed to celebrate the woman who wears it.