Swim Cap Care
1. Ripped Caps. Often the victim of nails and hair accessories, swim caps are easily torn by sharp objects. The usual culprits are bobby pins, long or jagged fingernails, and sharp jewelry. Cut or file your nails and remove any rings or hair pins before proceeding with your new cap.
2. Chlorine Wear. When swim caps come into contact with pool water – especially heavily-chlorinated water found in public pools – breakdown begins to occur. Some materials, like silicone, hold up a bit better than their fabric and rubber counterparts, but are still susceptible to chemical damage. When you’re finished with your swim, be sure to rinse the entire cap with fresh water (hose or tap water is just fine) and pat it dry completely. Or, leave it to dry in a place that’s not humid and that does not receive direct sunlight.
3. Sticky Caps. Leaving a cap in the sun can cause irreparable damage. Rubber and latex caps are particularly at risk for sun and heat damage due to their composition, and should never be left in the sun for long periods of time. The resulting “sticky” or “melted” feeling is just that – a melted swim cap. Store your cap in a cool, dry place to ensure it’s longevity.
4. Moldy Caps. Stowing away a damp cap prematurely is just asking for mold growth. As we all know, mold thrives in a warm, damp environment and your swim cap will surely become breeding grounds for bacteria. Dry your cap completely before storing, and even add a little baby powder to the inside to ensure that your swimming cap won’t harbor mold.
Swim cap care is not rocket science, but it’s easy to let it fall by the way-side. Follow a swim cap care guide like mine and you shouldn’t only need to replace your swim cap every season rather than every month.
