How to Remove Chlorine Stains From a Bathing Suit

Rinse the swimsuit immediately. Use lukewarm -- not hot or cold -- water and swish the suit around in a sink or basin for several minutes. While much of the chlorine will rinse free from the material, some will remain and any staining will not rinse out; this prevents further chlorine damage, however.

Drain the rinse water and refill the bucket or basin with fresh, warm water. Add 1/4 cup white vinegar to the water. Let the swimsuit soak for 15 to 20 minutes, rotating and moving it a few times to allow the vinegar to penetrate thoroughly. The vinegar will completely neutralize any remaining chlorine, but is not essential to the process.

Fill the sink or bucket with cooler water to completely rinse the vinegar out of the swimming suit, if used. Swish the suit around gently. Drain the water and remove as much of the excess water as possible, grabbing and squeezing or compressing the material rather than wringing it.

Run another sink or bucket full of warm water. Add up to 1/4 cup of a chlorine-neutralizing product designed to remove chlorine from aquarium water. Available wherever pet supplies are sold, dechlorinators typically contain sodium thiosulphate, which is also a photographic fixer and drinking water treatment. If you use sodium thiosuphate alone, decrease treatment amount to just a couple drops. Alternatively, you can use a squirt of chlorine-removing shampoo.

Swish the swimming suit around in the water solution, then let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes. Move the suit around occasionally during the soak time to ensure complete saturation of the dechlorinating product.

Drain the water from the sink or basin and rinse the swimsuit briefly. Refill the basin with warm water. Add a few drops of gentle laundry detergent.

Agitate your swimsuit in the soapy water, taking care not to wring or twist the material. A plunging up and down and circular movements are gentler on the fabric.

Dump the soapy water out. Refill the sink or bucket with fresh, cooler water. Rinse the swimsuit well. Any soap or chemicals remaining in the suit can cause damage to the material.

Squeeze the swimming suit to force excess water out. Lay the suit flat, in an area out of the sunlight, to allow it to dry.