If you swim laps a few times a week, or your daughter's in a swim squad, you've probably noticed regular swimwear doesn't last. The fabric goes thin, loses its stretch, and the colour fades faster than it should. Chlorine is the reason, and it's worth understanding before you choose period swimwear for frequent pool use.

What chlorine actually does to fabric

Chlorine is added to pools to kill bacteria, which is exactly what you want in a public or squad training pool. The trade-off is that chlorine breaks down the elastic fibres in a lot of standard swimwear fabrics over repeated exposure. Every lap session speeds up the process a little. That's why a swimsuit worn a few times a week at the pool wears out faster than one worn occasionally at the beach.

For period swimwear specifically, this matters even more. The absorbent layer and the outer fabric both need to hold their shape and seal properly to do their job. If the fabric degrades, the fit changes, and the protection isn't as reliable.

What "chlorine resistant" actually means

Chlorine resistant fabric is made from a fibre that holds up better against repeated chlorine exposure, so it keeps its shape, stretch and colour over many more wears than standard swimwear fabric. It's not about the water itself being different, it's about the fabric being built for the job.

Our Racerback Pro is made from chlorine resistant polyamide, designed specifically for people who are in the pool often. It's built to handle squad training, regular lap swimming, and frequent pool sessions without losing shape wash after wash.

A few things worth knowing about the Racerback Pro:

• Holds up to 50ml, suited to medium to heavy flow days
• Wide racerback straps for support through repeated strokes
• Quick drying and fully lined, with a black lining for stain control
• UV50+ protection for outdoor sessions
• PFAS-free throughout

It comes in a ladies fit (sizes XS to XL) and a teen fit (Girls 10 to 18), so mums and daughters who both swim regularly can match their gear.

When chlorine resistance actually matters

If you're swimming laps two or three times a week, training with a squad, or your daughter's in the pool most days after school, chlorine resistant fabric is worth choosing. You'll get more wears out of the garment before it starts to lose shape, which matters both for comfort and for how well the absorbent layer performs.

If you're more of an occasional swimmer, heading to the pool now and then or mostly swimming at the beach, you don't need to prioritise chlorine resistance the same way. Our Diamondback one piece, made from recycled nylon, is a great option for that kind of use. It's not built for daily chlorine exposure the way the Racerback Pro is, but for beach days, holidays and the odd pool visit, it holds up well and gives you more colour and style choice.

Caring for chlorine resistant swimwear

Even chlorine resistant fabric lasts longer with a bit of care. Rinse it in cool water straight after swimming, before the chlorine has a chance to sit in the fabric. Avoid fabric softener and skip the tumble dryer, hang drying keeps the fibres in better shape for longer. This is the same basic care routine we recommend for all our period swimwear and underwear, it just matters more when you're in the pool often.

Common questions

Will chlorine resistant fabric feel different to wear? Not really. The Racerback Pro is fully lined, quick drying and designed to feel like any other swim fabric against the skin. The difference shows up over time, in how well it holds its shape after dozens of pool sessions, not in how it feels on the first wear.

Does chlorine resistance affect how the swimwear absorbs flow? No, the chlorine resistant polyamide is the outer and structural fabric. The Racerback Pro's absorbent core is built to hold up to 50ml regardless of how often it's exposed to chlorine, that's a separate part of the design doing its own job.

Is the Racerback Pro suitable for daughters and mums with different needs? Yes. Both versions share the same chlorine resistant fabric and 50ml absorbency, the ladies fit has a slightly lower neckline and longer body, while the teen fit has a higher, sportier neckline. It's a genuinely easy way for a swimming family to gear up together. The Racerback Pro is also suitable for NDIS participants, and it's available for self-managed and plan-managed participants if that applies to your situation.

What if my daughter only swims occasionally, not in a squad? Then chlorine resistance is a nice-to-have rather than essential. Our other one-piece and bikini styles will suit occasional swimming perfectly well, and you can always step up to the Racerback Pro later if she joins a squad or starts swimming more regularly.

The bottom line

Chlorine resistance isn't a marketing add-on, it's about matching the fabric to how often you're actually in the water. Regular swimmers and squad kids get real value from the Racerback Pro's chlorine resistant polyamide, since it's built to keep its shape and protection through frequent pool sessions rather than wearing thin after a term of training. Occasional swimmers are just as well served by the Diamondback or our other styles, which give you more colour choice for the same reliable PFAS-free protection. Either way, you're covered and not sitting out laps because of your period.

Danielle x