Does Chlorine Ruin Clothes? Plus Other Summer Laundry Questions Answered

Summer usually means more time outside, more trips to the pool, and a lot more laundry. Between swimsuits, towels, sweaty clothes, and sunscreen stains, summer laundry can quickly become harder on fabrics than people expect.

One of the most common questions people ask is: does chlorine ruin clothes? The short answer is yes—over time, chlorine can damage fabrics if clothing and towels aren’t washed properly after swimming.

Here’s what to know about chlorine, summer laundry, and how to keep your clothes feeling fresher all season long.

Does Chlorine Ruin Clothes?

Chlorine can weaken fabric fibers over time, especially in swimsuits, towels, athletic wear, and brightly colored clothing. Repeated exposure to pool chemicals may cause:

• Fading colors
• Stretched-out fabrics
• Stiff or rough textures
• Lingering chlorine smells
• Faster fabric wear and tear

The longer chlorine stays in fabric, the more damage it can potentially cause.

That’s why washing swimsuits, towels, and pool clothes shortly after swimming is important during the summer months.

How Soon Should You Wash Swimsuits and Pool Towels?

Ideally, swimsuits and towels should be washed as soon as possible after pool use. Letting chlorine, sweat, sunscreen, and moisture sit in fabric for too long can make odors stronger and cause fabrics to break down faster.

Helpful summer laundry habits include:

• Rinsing swimsuits after swimming
• Avoiding leaving wet towels in bags or cars
• Washing towels regularly during pool season
• Air drying certain swimwear items when appropriate

Simple steps like these can help clothing last longer throughout the summer.

Why Do Towels Smell Worse During Summer?

Summer heat, moisture, chlorine, and humidity can all contribute to towels developing musty odors more quickly.

Pool towels especially tend to trap:

• Chlorine residue
• Sweat and body oils
• Sand and outdoor debris
• Moisture from repeated use

If towels aren’t washed thoroughly or dried completely, odors can linger even after washing.

Can Sand and Sunscreen Affect Clothes?

Yes. Sand, sunscreen, and outdoor debris can all make summer laundry more difficult.

Sand can:

• Stick deep into towel fibers
• Add extra wear to fabrics
• Create buildup in smaller home washing machines

Sunscreen and body oils may also leave behind stains or residue if clothing isn’t cleaned properly.

During summer, heavier laundry loads often require a deeper clean than normal daily laundry.

Why Larger Washers Make Summer Laundry Easier

Summer laundry tends to involve larger, bulkier items like:

• Beach towels
• Pool towels
• Blankets
• Swimsuits
• Family-sized laundry loads

Smaller home machines can struggle with oversized or heavily used summer laundry, especially when trying to fully remove chlorine, odors, sand, and buildup.

Using a laundromat with commercial-grade equipment can help provide:

• More space for bulky loads
• Better water circulation during washes
• Faster washing and drying times
• A deeper, more effective clean

At Loads of Clothes, our Speed Queen and Electrolux machines are designed to handle everything from everyday laundry to large summer loads with ease.

Keep Summer Laundry Fresh at Loads of Clothes

Summer laundry doesn’t have to take over your week. Whether you’re washing pool towels, swimsuits, beach gear, or large family loads, having access to larger, high-efficiency machines can make laundry day faster and easier.

Visit Loads of Clothes at our:

• Donelson location
• Hermitage location

Our commercial-grade washers and dryers are designed to help keep your summer laundry cleaner, fresher, and ready for your next pool day.

Whether you’re tackling swimsuits, towels, or large family loads, Loads of Clothes makes summer laundry faster, easier, and less stressful. Visit our Donelson or Hermitage locations today.