In order to understand what Chlorine Resistant Swimwear is, let’s take a look at how it came about.
What is Chlorine?
Chlorine comes from the Greek word “Khloros” which indicates green. It was created in 1774 by a Swedish chemist called Carl Scheele. The salt and other parts in seawater are a big source of chlorine. When added to water, a chain reaction takes place creating hypochlorous acid which immediately kills bacteria and other micro-organisms to act as a water sanitiser.
Chlorine is contributed to our faucet water to eliminate illness triggering pathogens such as bacteria and viruses that are frequently discovered in water products and the walls of water mains.
Chlorine is utilized to kill germs in swimming pools, health clubs and leisure water places making it safe to swim. Unattended water is hazardous as germs and waterborne diseases can trigger severe illness.
Over-chlorinated water can likewise be bothersome causing skin and eye inflammations. A safe balance is necessary.
Does my seawater pool include chlorine?
Salt alone does not offer sanitation for swimming pool water – electrolysis is needed. This process develops chlorine however at a decreased level, good for those with chlorine sensitivity.
Are there any options to using chlorine?
Some individuals dislike chlorine so options are available. Peroxide based items are the only chlorine-free option. Other processes do have some amount of chlorine as an active ingredient. There are also silver and copper ion generators and ozone generators. These choices can be expensive and should be carefully kept track of to make sure clean water is the outcome.
The history of swimwear material
During the 1800s modest swimwear was made from wool or flannel to cover the body. Direct exposure to the sun causing a suntan was a sign of a lower class.
In 1902 three boys from the Portland Knitting Business in Oregon were asked to make wool rib-knit costumes for a rowing club to retain body heat when wet. A concept was born but the result was not perfect as it was heavy. The business would later be named Jantzen – an iconic swimwear brand name.
In the 1930s sunbathing ended up being more popular so swimsuits evolved to enable more sun direct exposure and to be more form-fitting and flexible. A man-made material called Lastex was established by the American Rubber Business utilizing rubber.
In 1939 a chemist Joseph Shivers from DuPont Nemours and Company in Virginia developed a material made from nylon polymers as an alternative to making use of rubber. These materials were stiff and stiff so the research study continued to discover a much better blend of fibres.
The very first spandex fabric was developed in 1952 by german chemist Farbenfabriken Bayer and further established by DuPont utilizing the brand name Lycra. Complete scale manufacture started in 1962 and DuPont continues to be the world leader in the production of spandex fibres.
The issue with conventional swimwear fabrics
When exposed to chlorine and prolonged sun exposure, one of the problems with the nylon/elastane blend is its degeneration.
Lycra or elastane has nitrogen in its molecular structure and pools chlorine bonds with it. Chlorine also reacts to nitrogen in human hair and skin proteins triggering a chlorine smell on our skin after swimming. When chlorine reacts with lycra it chemically bonds to form “chloramine” or remaining chlorine.
When the swimsuit is not being utilized, over time this consumes the fibres triggering fabric degradation even. This first looks like sand-like grains in the swimsuit as the flexible fibres break, then the fabric becomes see-through and saggy. Sun exposure can likewise affect the elastic fibres, similar to leaving an elastic band out in the sun, triggering the fibres to end up being difficult and brittle.
When was chlorine resistant material invented?
In 1994 the Australian brand name Speedo launched Stamina, the world’s first chlorine resistant fabric. This material was made up of 45% polyester and 55% PBT (a polyester variant) with no flexible fibres, therefore, avoiding the fabric from breaking down when exposed to chlorine.
Today chlorine resistant material is utilized by lots of swimwear companies to offer swimsuits that will last longer than conventional nylon/lycra matches when exposed to high levels of chlorine.
Over the years, chlorine resistant material has actually become thinner and finer, having a far better stretch and healing homes.
Why Buy Chlorine Resistant Swimsuit
Typically utilized by competitive swimmers, chlorine resistant swimwears are now readily available in a variety of sizes, colours and designs to match everyone.
Even when only utilized for ocean swimming and periodic use in chlorine swimming pools, chlorine resistant swimwear is more suitable due to its durability making it a cost-effective financial investment.
Chlorine resistant swimwear can look great too. Take local company La Sculpte for example. Their swimwear is chlorine resistant and available in quite stylish options.
Will Chlorine Resistant Swimwear last forever?
Chlorine resistant fabric is created to last 20 times longer than conventional swimsuit fabric. Swimsuits still have rubber and elastic around leg, arm and neck openings and these will become impacted by chlorine. Rash shirts will last substantially longer as they are made without any flexibility. Stitching will also degrade gradually.
How To Take Care of Chlorine Resistant Swimwear
- Prevent contact with rough surfaces. Pilling and snagging can take place.
- Wash your swimwear as soon as possible. Rinse in cool tidy water as quickly as you can.
- Do not have a hot shower using your swimwear. Unneeded contact with warm water can affect the rubber in the swimwear leg and arm opening causing wear and tear
- Never leave a swimsuit rolled up in a towel. Moisture and heat can cause bacteria to breed.
- Hand wash your swimwear with a moderate cleanser as soon as possible to get rid of chlorine. Rinse in cool water.
- Constantly dry your swimsuit in a shaded area – the sun will destroy elastic fibres in the leg and arm opening.
- Never machine wash, bleach, iron or dry tidy a swimsuit.
