Proper Care of Gear

[Captain.Jammer]

I did a search in the forums, so if this is already addressed, I guess I didn't search for the right term.

I am wondering about the proper care for gear.. let me explain.

Even though I have been collecting swimwear for a while, I am very new to swimming. In fact I have only completed my second lesson last week. (No, I never did have lessons as a kid. So, I am starting from square one.) Well, I did try taking lessons some time ago, but it was a group lesson at a community center, and I really got nothing from those lessons. This time, I am taking private lessons. I am also practicing at the gym pool between lessons.

For those that do not know from my other posts, or have forgotten, because I am quite overweight and have a hairy back, for personal comfort and self-image protection, I wear jammers and a rashguard for my swimming activities. Pics below are of this gear I took some time ago.

I would guess, between my current use, and then the group lessons and practice some time ago, maybe this gear has been worn in the pool less than 50 times.

The jammers seem to be fine, although either I am losing weight, or they are starting to stretch out a little-- it seems they are not nearly as snug as they used to be.

But my rashguard.. a BodyGlove brand, I noticed just the other day at the gym while in the shower, after taking off my gear, there is an area on the back that looks slightly a different color than the rest of the material, and that portion is loose and baggy.. and that affected area seems to be surrounded with an "edge" of little white "threads".

I figured that maybe when trying to take off the rashguard.. because it is much more stretchy and clingy than the jammers, I might have grabbed the material to pull it off, and might have overstretched the spandex fibers??
Or was it that I went into the jacuzzi and had a jet aimed at that part of my back for a while? I think I have heard that heat can do that to spandex, too.

I want my gear to last as long as possible, so I am wondering if the above caused the issue or if it is just the way I care for the gear.. or is it just use and age? ... because now I have noticed a smaller area on the front of the rash guard that looks like the huge area on the back.

Here is my typical care of my gear:

• I put on the gear while my body is pretty much dry.
• I am careful to hold the fabric bunched up and release it as pull it on, as opposed to holding it from one end and just letting the rest drag behind.
• I usually take a shower in the gear before going into the pool.
• Then after swimming, I will rinse off the gear while on me in the shower,
• then take off the gear,
• then rinse it again holding it up to the shower water. (I use water that is rather warm but not scorching hot).
• Then I squeeze the gear starting at one end, working to the other, to get rid of excess water (I do not wring the gear),
• then I hang the gear over the side of the shower stall while I take my shower.
• Then I use the SuitMate dryer to dry the gear more.
• Then once I am dressed, I roll the gear up in my towel for the drive home.
• Once I get home, I hang the gear up on an indoor clothesline in the basement to finish drying, until I pack it up for the next use.

Are there any flaws in what I am doing? Is there something different I should be doing?
The biggest challenge, as I mentioned, is getting the rash guard off. Sometimes I just cannot get a good enough grip on it to pull it off carefully.
I don't know that anyone here even uses a rashguard, but I am hoping for any pointers.

Also, how long should I realistically expect swim gear to last? I am going in the pool an average of maybe 3-4 times a week, right now, for usually only up to about 45 minutes, max, each time.

Thanks guys! I appreciate your feedback!

[PSDave]

Regarding the size change. Depending on the brand there is some stretch as lycra ages, especially if used in chlorinated pools. Chlorine breaks down the fibers in the fabric. This may also be the problem with the Body Glove too. If the fabric is stretched to the max the fibers actually do break and show up like little white hairs on the surface. This is combined with the stretching and shrinking of the fabric and the effects of the high chlorine content in public pools.
When you rinse it out it should be off your body otherwise all you are doing is washing the chlorine on your body through the fabric or into it. The water temp should be barely warm to cold. This will help the fibers to contract. It is better to dry both flat rather than hanging them - the weight puts undo pull on the already fragile fabric.
The best thing you can do to preserve your Lycra blend suits is find a salt water pool, sometimes called fresh water. It isn't like the ocean, the water is like the saline solutions used in hospitals and as an eye wash. You won't taste or see the effects that ocean water has on your suit or body.
Remember when buying your suits, the higher the nylon content, the longer they will last. Anyone that has ever had 100% nylon suits will confirm that nylon isn't destroyed by chlorine and last for years or even decades.
The two main things to remember is don't use hot water and don't hang to dry.

[Torchwatch]

The Elastane in Lycra will deteriorate if it is subjected to chlorinated water, saline water, heat, sunlight, prolonged damp, abrasive surfaces, sand and excessive stretching.
Basically if you use it you'll lose it, if you use it and power dry it or leave it damp you'll lose it faster.
Keeping your Lycra in a ventilated, dry, cool, dark place and never wearing it will prolong it's life but spoil the fun.
Don't wear you Olympic souvenir speedos 3 times a week every week and expect them to last, store them properly for special events and your collection.
If you are going to swim 3 times every week buy speedos that you like but know will wear out each season allowing you to find a new cut and colour next time.
The first sign that your speedos are wearing out is that the seat will start to sag and eventually drop to your knees. Saggy swimwear is not a fashion statement, neither is a car with it's rear exhaust box dragging on the road.