If you love swimming, a swim cap is the easiest way to keep your hair dry and protect them from pool chemicals. If you are planning to buy one, it is also essential for you to know the right way to maintain the cap. Read this post to know some expert swim cap maintenance tips.
If you are a regular swimmer, you surely need a good quality swim cap to keep your hair dry and protect them from harmful pool chemicals like chlorine. Apart from the protection, they also have an essential role to play in your swimming performance. The caps make your head more hydrodynamic to help reduce the drags and improve swim times.
Most swimmers replace this swimming accessory very frequently as they do not know the right way to care for their swim caps. If you want your swim cap to last longer, here are a few tips that you should follow-
- While Swimming
If you are a female, make sure that you remove the bobby pins or clips that you might be wearing before wearing the swim cap. The metal edges of these hair accessories are sharp and can easily puncture the cap.
Also, if you want to adjust or remove the cap, prefer using the fingertips and not the fingernails. If you wear rings, ensure that the cap does not get snagged by them.
- After Swimming
Once you’re done swimming, rinse the cap under non-chlorinated water. You can use a towel to dry it after washing or just let it hang dry. There are also many different types of products available in the market to remove the chlorine, dirt, sweat, and others chemicals from the swim cap.
A lot of swimmers also sprinkle some baby or talcum powder in the cap and evenly distribute it throughout the cap. The powder absorbs moisture and prevents the growth of bacteria. However, the powder is not required for caps made from mesh or Lycra.
- Storing the Cap
Once the cap is completely dry, store it in a dry place away from direct sunlight. The sun can damage fibres of the cap and can also result in fading.
Also, make sure that you use a durable case for storing the cap. Without a proper case, the cap can suffer from tears, punctures, and other damages.
- Buying a New Swim Cap
Your swimming cap cannot last forever no matter how careful you are with its maintenance. Thus, it is also important to know when it is time to replace the cap.
Prefer replacing the cap if it has developed areas that are stretched out or it has small holes. Even if the cap has black spots or does not fit snuggly on your head, it is time to buy a new one.
Additional Tips
- Know the correct way to wear and remove the cap
- Do not store the cap even if it is slightly dry
- Never use a washing machine or dryer to wash or dry your swim cap
- Avoid storing the cap close to any heat source as this will reduce its elasticity
Remember the maintenance tips discussed in this post to make sure that you are not required to replace your swim cap frequently. When buying, prefer a reputed online store that offers a number of options and is highly affordable.
