Rashie Care: Keep Swimwear Bright All Season
By Huxbaby - Organic Baby Clothes & Sustainable Kids Clothing | Published: 2026-10-15
Category: Tips & Care
A step-by-step rashie care routine that removes chlorine and sunscreen without fading prints, so kids swimwear stays bright and stretchy all season.
Quick answer
Rinse your rashie in cool fresh water within 30 minutes of leaving the pool or beach, then hand wash with a gentle detergent and lay it flat to dry in the shade. That single rinse is the difference between a swim shirt that stays bright for one season and one that fades by February.
Why rashies fade faster than other kids clothes
Swimwear lives a rougher life than a t-shirt. It soaks up chlorinated pool water, salt, sunscreen and body oils, then gets stretched over wet shoulders and left in a damp bag. Chlorine is the main colour thief, and sunscreen residue can leave a yellow tinge on bright prints if it sits. A rashie like the Vacay Kel Rashie is built for long summer days of swim, snack, repeat, so it will collect all of these. The fix is not harsh washing. It is fast rinsing and gentle drying, done every single time.
What you need before you start
Keep a small swim-care kit by the laundry: a gentle liquid detergent free from bleach and fabric softener, a clean bucket or sink, a mesh laundry bag for machine days, and a shaded drying spot. Fabric softener coats the fibres and can reduce stretch, so leave it out. Hot water sets stains and speeds up fading, so stick to cool or lukewarm. If your child has sensitive skin, choose a fragrance-free detergent and rinse twice.
How to handle zips, snaps and hardware
Before washing, close every zip and fasten snaps so they do not snag the fabric. A zip rashie such as the Tutti Frutti Raglan Zip has a full-length zip that can catch the print if left open in the wash. Check pockets and seams for sand, which acts like sandpaper against wet fabric. If the rashie has a zip, run a soft brush along the teeth to clear grit, then rinse the zip area first. This small step protects both the hardware and the fabric around it.
Your 6-step rashie care routine
- Rinse immediately after every swim: Take the rashie off, turn it inside out and rinse in cool fresh water until the water runs clear. This removes most chlorine and salt before it can bond to the fibres. If you are still at the pool, rinse it in the shower. Checkpoint: no lingering pool smell. If you can still smell chlorine, rinse again.
- Hand wash with a gentle detergent: Fill a sink or bucket with cool water and a small amount of gentle liquid detergent. Squeeze the rashie gently through the water for about a minute. Do not scrub the print or wring it hard, as this stretches the fabric and dulls colours. Mistake to avoid: using hot water or fabric softener, both of which speed up fading and reduce stretch.
- Treat stains before they set: For sunscreen marks or stubborn spots, dab a little detergent directly onto the area and let it sit for five minutes before rinsing. Never rub sunscreen into the fabric, as this pushes it deeper into the fibres. Checkpoint: hold the rashie up to the light. If a mark is still visible, repeat the dab-and-rinse once.
- Rinse until the water is clear: Rinse in cool water until no suds remain. Detergent residue can attract dirt and irritate sensitive skin, and it can also make the fabric feel stiff. A second rinse is cheap insurance. Mistake to avoid: skipping the second rinse because the rashie looks clean. Residue shows up later as stiffness.
- Dry flat in the shade: Lay the rashie flat on a clean towel or drying rack, away from direct sun. If you need to speed it up, roll it in a towel and press gently to remove excess water. Do not tumble dry and do not hang it by the straps, which can stretch them out. Checkpoint: the rashie should feel dry to the touch before it goes back in the bag. Damp storage causes odour and mildew.
- Store it ready for the next swim: Once fully dry, fold the rashie loosely and store it with your swim bag, not in a sealed plastic bag. If you rotate two rashies, each one gets a full dry day between wears, which extends its life. Next step: keep a spare rashie in the swim bag so a wet one never has to be worn the next morning.
Rashies built for repeat swims
- Vacay Kel Rashie: Lightweight fabric designed to keep kids cool while the fit moves with every twist and splash, in a bright colour that is easy to spot. A light, stretchy rashie dries faster and needs less wringing, which is gentler on the fabric and helps the bright colour last.
- Tutti Frutti Raglan Zip: Full coverage with a zip for easy changes, built for all-day play in the pool or on the shoreline. The zip makes after-swim changes quick, so you can rinse the rashie sooner instead of leaving chlorine on it.
