What To Do With Old Swimsuits? 4 Tips to Know

Every year, about 85% of clothes, including swimsuits, are thrown away, leaving only 1% to be recycled into new things. So, the question is, “What do you do with your old swimsuits?” We all have old swimsuits we don’t wear anymore. Some are faded, while some are just not our size or style anymore, but throwing them into the dustbin just feels so wrong, and so we keep storing them in the closet. 

Unless you got the swimsuit from a sustainable brand, throwing it out might solve a problem of space for you, but it will become a huge problem for Earth. So, what to do with old swimsuits? That’s the billion-dollar question of today. The truth is that there are so many things you can do with old swimsuits, but to find out, you’ll have to continue reading this guide. So, keep on reading to find the 5 things you can do with old swimsuits and the tops you should know, too, for next time. 

What To Do With Old Swimsuits?

Repurpose or Upcycle Old Swimwear

There are so many things you can do with old swimsuits; you just need to be creative. It might have faded, worn out, or torn, but with a little bit of imagination, you can turn it into a good diy session. Imagine making a headband or scrunchies from your old favorite red bikini top, can you see how cute it is?

So, what to do with old bathing suits? Upcycle or repurpose them into zippered pouches, a skincare wet bag, a handmade journal, tiny clothes for dolls, or even mixed media. The possibilities are endless. And the best part is you don’t even need a sewing machine for these. Just a little bit of imagination and your old swimsuits can live way past their beach use.

Transform Old Swimsuits Into A Trendy One

For this DIY session on what to do with old swimsuits, you’ll probably need a sewing machine, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be hard. Don’t worry, I’ll hold your hand all through the process. Remember your favorite swimsuit? The one you’ve worn so many times but still don’t want to let go of? Now, remember the new swimsuit?

The one you saw at your favorite store, but you don’t have enough money to get it? Is there a bit of similarity between them? If yes, then this whole idea is to turn the old swimsuit into a new one with just a few cuts, tweaks, sewings, and voila. Your one-piece can become a high-cut side tie bikini. Your dull color can be dyed into something bold. And don’t worry, you don’t need it to be perfect. You just need it to be yours.

Donate Old Swimsuits

We all donate our clothes, shoes, furniture, food items, and even books to other people or helping organizations. But when it comes to donating swimwear, many ask, “Can you donate swimsuits?” The answer is yes,  and it’s easier than you think. Darling, instead of throwing out your old swimsuit, donate it. Several people will need it, as long as it's clean and in good shape.

You can give it to the local women’s center, the school swimming team, or a young girl who you know truly needs it. You can even find formal non-profits like The Bra Recyclers or Bras for a Cause, and donate them to them. The truth is that to you, this old bathing suit is just that, old, but to them, it is more than that. You can also think of it like you’re doing good and giving a helping hand to the community.

Recycle Old Bathing Suits  

I know, recycling swimsuits is a bit stressful, but I’m not saying do it yourself. Do you know that several swimwear brands can do the recycling for you? Yup, so if you’re thinking of what to do with old swimsuits, drop them off with these recycling brands or eco-friendly stores. Here, your old suits are turned into new ones, a yoga mat, carpet padding, or even insulation for furniture.

And you’d be surprised how many brands do offer this. Brands like J.Crew, Deakin and Blue, Stay Wild, Fair Harbor, and Sundek will even tell you to bring your old suits back, regardless of the brand, and get credits or discounts for your next purchase. But if you can’t find any of these options, then take your old suits to your local textile bin or sustainability hub.

Suggested Reads- Top 8 Vintage Swimwear Brands of 2025

Tips for Avoiding Waste Next Time You Buy Swimwear

We’ve already gone through some ideas on what to do with old swimsuits, but to make sure your swimsuits last a bit longer before they become old, here are 4 tips to follow:

Choose High-quality, Long-lasting Materials

If you got a high-quality, long-lasting swimsuit, then you’re sure it will last you a long time before you ever start thinking about what to do with old bathing suits. But if you have a cheap option, then it will probably spoil very fast after you’ve worn it a few times. It will first start with the color fading, then the fabric starts looking see-through, and before you know it, it has lost its shape. The moral here is to stay away from cheap or trendy swimsuits.

Support Sustainable Swimwear Brands

There are so many sustainable swimwear brands that use recycled or sustainably sourced materials to make sure your swimsuits last longer. So, apart from the obvious environmental benefits, these brands deliver on durable, high-performance suits that you can see every year.

Buy Versatile Pieces That Won’t Go Out of Style Quickly

Don’t pick suits just cos it's trendy! Go back and read that sentence again. Choosing ultra-trendy styles and cuts will make you not like your suits anymore, and before you know, you’ll start wondering what to do with your old swimsuits. So, instead, go for versatile colors, classic designs, stylish modest swimwear, cute one pieces, and reversible sets.  

Take Good Care of Your Suits

If you want your swimsuits to last longer, then darling, you’ve got to treat them right. Do not machine wash or use a machine dryer on it. Once you’re done swimming, rinse it off to wash out the chlorine, dirt, salt, and sand. Next, handwash with a mild soap and dry in a cool, dry place. This way, your swimsuit will last you for a longer time.

Conclusion

Just because you don’t know what to do with old swimsuits doesn’t mean it’s time to throw them into the dustbin. Nope. There are several options on what to do with it. But you might be saying, it’s too thin, or faded, or out of style to be used by anyone.

Well, darling, it can be upcycled, recycled, transformed, and even donated to a local community program. So, there’s always something you can do with it. My advice is to save this post for the next time you think about throwing away your old swimsuits.