Protecting Your Swimwear
Post-Purchase:
When you purchase your suit, before you wear it, try rinsing it in a vinegar and water solution. One tablespoon of vinegar to each quart of water will help prevent the colors from eventual fading.
Seasonal Maintenance:
The most important thing you can do for your suit is to take care of it during the season. Taking these precautions will help the longevity of the suit. Wash your suit by hand with a mild soap if necessary. Baby shampoo and dish soap are mild and won't interact abrasively with the materials. If you have a front-loading washer, it is okay to wash your suit on a delicate cycle with delicate soap as long as it is in a mesh bag, but if you have a traditional top-loader with an agitator, it will cause long-term damage to your swimming suits. It's best not to put suits in the dryer. You should hang-dry your suit or lay it flat to dry on a rack in a well-ventilated area. You can hang it outside to try, but not in direct sunlight. Too much sunlight will corrode the materials in the suit and it won't fit the same.
Immediately after each swimming session, you should rinse your suit thoroughly with cold water. Instead of wringing out the suit, which stretches the materials, try laying it flat on a towel, rolling it up and then twisting the towel to extract the excess moisture from the suit.
Storing the Suit:
Chlorine, salts and other chemicals left in the suit can contribute to deterioration of the suit fabrics. Sunscreens, tanning lotions, and anything else that you put on your body can leave residues and lead to discoloration so make sure your swimwear is thoroughly cleaned before you put it away for the season. If you can spare the closet space, it is better to store them on hangers, but if you do need to store your suits, just make sure they are not scrunched into tight spaces.
More: http://www.articletrader.com/shopping/fashion/protecting-your-swimwear.html