Your tech suit is a significant investment, and proper care can make the difference between a suit that lasts one race and one that stays race-ready for a full season. Because tech suits are designed for performance over durability, they need to be rinsed, dried and stored carefully after every race.
This guide explains how to wash a tech suit, how to dry it safely, what causes damage and how to keep your racing swimwear fast, tight and ready for your next event.
Why Tech Suit Care Matters
Unlike training swimwear, tech suits prioritise compression, hydrophobic performance and low-drag materials. These features help swimmers feel streamlined, supported and race-ready, but they also make the suit more delicate.
The trade-off is simple: tech suits are built for speed, not everyday durability. Chlorine, heat, friction and even how you put the suit on can all shorten its lifespan. Looking after it properly helps preserve the fabric, compression, bonded seams and water-repellent finish for longer.
What Damages a Tech Suit Most?
This section should come before the care steps because it helps the reader understand what they are trying to avoid.
Fingernails and Poor Handling
In our experience, the number one cause of tech suit damage is simple: fingernails. Putting on a properly fitting tech suit takes patience. If you are not careful, it is easy to:
- Nick the fabric
- Tear seams
- Create small holes that quickly become bigger problems
- Stretch delicate areas of the suit
Tip: Keep nails short and use your fingertips, not your nails, when adjusting the suit.
The second major cause is poor technique when putting it on. If you try to pull the suit up quickly from the hips, you can put too much stress on the material. For the safest method, link here to the Tech Suit Putting On Guide.
Chlorine Exposure
Chlorine is essential for keeping pools clean, but it is harsh on swimwear. Even small amounts of chlorine left in a race suit can begin to degrade the fabric over time. Chlorine can:
- Break down fibres
- Reduce elasticity
- Damage water-repellent coatings
- Weaken the suit’s performance feel
Training suits are built to cope with regular chlorine exposure. Tech suits are not. That is why rinsing your suit as soon as possible after racing is one of the most important steps in tech suit care.
Heat and Drying Mistakes
Heat is one of the fastest ways to damage a tech suit. It can weaken bonded seams, change the fabric structure and reduce compression. Avoid drying your tech suit on or near:
- Radiators
- Heated towel rails
- Hair dryers
- Tumble dryers
- Direct sunlight for long periods
A tech suit should always be air dried naturally and kept away from direct heat.
Washing Machines and Detergent
Washing machines are one of the worst things for tech suits. The spin cycle, heat, friction and detergent can all damage delicate racewear. A washing machine can cause:
- Abrasion damage
- Fibre breakdown
- Loss of hydrophobic coating
- Stretching and seam stress
Regular detergent can also leave residues on the fabric, reducing water repellency. If your suit needs extra cleaning, use a specialist swimwear wash or a very small amount of mild, non-scented soap only occasionally.
How to Wash a Tech Suit After Racing
The best way to wash a tech suit is to rinse it gently by hand in cold water as soon as possible after racing. Do not put it in the washing machine, do not use regular detergent and do not wring it aggressively. Follow these steps after every race or competition session.
1. Rinse Immediately After Use
As soon as you take your suit off, rinse it in cold water. Ideally, do this in the changing rooms before the chlorine has time to sit in the fabric. Gently squeeze and agitate the suit in clean water to help remove chlorine. Do not wring the suit aggressively, as this can stretch the fabric and damage the seams.
2. Keep It Separate in Your Swim Bag
Do not wrap your tech suit in your towel. Your towel can hold chlorine, moisture and bacteria, which may transfer back onto the suit. Instead, place it in:
- A wet pouch
- A separate swimwear bag
- A simple plastic bag for the journey home
This keeps the suit separate until you can rinse and dry it properly.
3. Rinse Again at Home
Give your suit another cold rinse when you get home. For best results, use a specialist swimwear wash designed to neutralise chlorine without damaging technical fabrics. If you do not have a swimwear cleaner, rinse the suit thoroughly under cold running water.
How to Dry a Tech Suit Safely
The safest way to dry a tech suit is to lay it flat on a towel and let it air dry naturally. Keep it away from heat, direct sunlight and rough surfaces. To dry your suit properly:
- Lay it flat on a clean towel
- Gently press out excess water
- Let it air dry naturally
- Keep it away from radiators and heated towel rails
- Make sure it is fully dry before storing it
Drying flat helps preserve compression, fabric integrity and bonded seams. Never tumble dry, iron or blow-dry a tech suit.
How to Store a Tech Suit Between Races
Once your tech suit is completely dry, store it carefully between races. Do not leave it damp in your swim bag, wrapped in a towel or folded under heavy items. To store your tech suit safely:
- Make sure it is fully dry first
- Store it flat or loosely folded
- Keep it away from heat and direct sunlight
- Avoid sharp objects, zips or Velcro in your bag
- Do not squash it under heavy kit
Good storage helps protect the fabric, seams and compression between competitions.
How to Make Your Tech Suit Last Longer
Looking after your tech suit properly can make a big difference to its lifespan and performance. A well-cared-for suit is more likely to maintain its compression, keep its water-repellent properties and perform when it matters most. To help your tech suit last longer:
- Rinse it in cold water after every race
- Dry it flat and away from heat
- Keep it for racing, not everyday training
- Take your time when putting it on
- Avoid pulling from the hips or seams
- Store it separately from towels, goggles and sharp items
- Use specialist swimwear wash when needed
Treat it well, and it will be ready when you step up behind the blocks.
Should You Wear a Tech Suit for Warm-Up?
Where possible, avoid wearing your tech suit for long warm-ups. Tech suits are not designed to be worn all day, and unnecessary time in the water can expose the suit to more chlorine, stretching and wear.
Many swimmers prefer to warm up in training swimwear, then change into their tech suit closer to racing. If you are racing across a full weekend, consider rotating between suits if possible.
This can help protect the suit’s compression and water-repellent finish for key races.
How Long Should a Tech Suit Last?
Most tech suits perform at their best for a limited number of races, they can last 3-12 months, but their peak is 6 to 12 races.
Good care can extend the suit’s usable life, but every tech suit will gradually lose compression and water repellency over time. If the suit starts to feel looser, absorbs more water or no longer gives the same race-day feel, it may be time to consider replacing it.
Shop Race-Ready Tech Suits and Swimwear Essentials
Looking after your current race suit, or choosing a new one for the season ahead? Explore competition swimwear from trusted brands including Speedo, Arena and TYR, with FINA approved tech suits, jammers and kneeskins built for race-day performance.
Complete your kit with swimwear care products, goggles and race-day essentials to help keep every part of your swim bag ready for competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a tech suit last?
Most tech suits perform at their best for around 6 to 12 races. This depends on the suit, how often it is worn, how it fits and how carefully it is rinsed, dried and stored after use.
Can I put my tech suit in the washing machine?
No, you should never put a tech suit in the washing machine. The spin cycle, heat, detergent and friction can damage the fabric, seams, compression and water-repellent finish.
How should I wash a tech suit?
Wash a tech suit by rinsing it gently by hand in cold water. Do this as soon as possible after racing, then rinse again at home if needed. Avoid regular detergent and never wring the suit aggressively.
What is the best way to dry a tech suit?
The best way to dry a tech suit is to lay it flat on a towel and let it air dry naturally. Keep it away from direct heat, tumble dryers, hair dryers and strong sunlight.
