How to Remove Chlorine from Bathing Suits, Hair & Skin

Chlorine is a vital chemical for making public water safe, both for swimming and drinking. Unfortunately, it has some undesired consequences. Chlorine has a distinct odor that follows you home. It causes dry, itchy skin for sensitive individuals. It even has a bleaching effect that turns light-colored hair green and fades bathing suits over time.

To prevent these problems and still enjoy hours in the pool every week this summer, you need to learn how to remove chlorine from your bathing suit, hair, and skin. Just follow these tips before getting in the water and washing up after the pool.

How to Remove Chlorine from Your Bathing Suit

Keep your bathing suit bright and beautiful with these after-swimming tips:

• Rinse off while still wearing your bathing suit to remove some of the chlorine before you drive home.
• Soak your suit in a bucket of water with a teaspoon of sodium ascorbate (a form of vitamin C).
• Wash your bathing suit in the washing machine. Use the delicate cycle and cold water, along with a regular amount of non-toxic detergent and a few teaspoons of sodium ascorbate.
• Hang your suit to dry — never run it through the dryer, as the high heat could damage the delicate fabric.
• Test if any chlorine odor remains. If so, add one dechlorinating drop to a gallon of cold water and swish the suit around for a few minutes. Squeeze (don’t wring) out excess water and hang the suit the dry.

How to Remove Chlorine from Your Hair & Skin

First, do everything you can to protect your hair and skin:

• Rinse off before jumping in the pool. When your hair and skin are dampened with fresh water first, they absorb less chlorine. Taking a quick pre-swim shower helps maintain the right chemical balance in the water anyway, so we recommend this for everyone.
• Wear a swim cap to create a barrier between the pool water and your hair. Goggles can also protect your eyes from the harsh chlorine.
• Form a barrier. Spray damp hair with hair detangler and protectant, which you can buy at the store or make by mixing 1 once of natural conditioner with 8 ounces of distilled water. Also, apply a thin layer of natural oil (coconut, almond, avocado, etc.) to damp skin.

As for removing chlorine from your hair:

• Rinse off immediately after exiting the pool. Wash your hair with protein-based shampoo and lather your body with soap to remove as much chlorine residue as possible.
• If no pool-side shower is available, spray your hair and skin with After-Swim Chlorine Neutralizing Spray. Commercial products are available, or you can make your own at home using 1/2 tsp sodium ascorbate and 4 ounces of distilled water.
• Mix sodium ascorbate into your shampoo and body wash or add a few teaspoons to your bath water. You can also use vitamin C tablets in your bath.

Household Cleaning Services from Molly Maid

Protecting your bathing suit, hair, and skin from the undesired effects of chlorinated pool water is just one of your many cleaning concerns. Hand over tedious housework to Molly Maid, and you’ll free up time to do more things you really enjoy. With our flexible services, you can have your home cleaned your way. Choose to have a single deep-cleaning, occasional cleaning, or routine assistance with household chores.

For more useful cleaning tips, or to hire a professional housekeeper in your area, please contact your local Molly Maid or call us for a free in-home estimate.