Swimsuit Discolouration in Pools – Causes, Prevention & Our Policy

Swimsuit Discolouration in Pools – Causes, Prevention & Our Policy

At Nomad Holiday Rentals properties, we strive to maintain high-quality swimming pools for all guests to enjoy. However, we have observed occasional cases of swimsuit discouloration or staining after use in our pools. This issue is typically the result of a chemical reaction between sunscreen ingredients and chlorine in the water. apartment for rent, apartment for rent bali, apartment for rent canggu, apartment for rent pererenan, balinea karma, Flook Apartments. flook, Flook The Label, Flook_Apartments, FlookApartments, nomad holiday rentals, nomad_holiday_rentals, nomadholidayrentals.com, pererenan, pererenan beach, property management bali

Many sunscreens — especially those containing avobenzone (a common UV filter) — can react with chlorinated water, forming stains or causing fading on swimwear fabrics. This reaction is not specific to our pools but occurs in chlorinated environments worldwide.

Important Note:
Discoloured or stained swimsuits do not qualify for refund or compensation at our properties, as this is a known reaction between personal skincare products and pool chemicals.

To prevent this:
•⁠ ⁠Shower before entering the pool, as recommended by health and pool authorities.
•⁠ ⁠Avoid applying sunscreen right before swimming. If necessary, wait 15–30 minutes and rinse excess before pool use.
•⁠ ⁠Choose swimwear designed for pool use (chlorine-resistant fabrics).

Why your white swimsuit turned yellow (swimsuit discolouration)

A quick yellowing of a white swimsuit right after sunscreen + pool water is actually a very common reaction. The usual culprits are:

1.⁠ ⁠Chemical reaction between sunscreen and chlorinated water

Most sunscreens contain avobenzone (a UV filter).
When avobenzone mixes with chlorine, it produces yellow or brown stains — especially noticeable on white fabrics.

2.⁠ ⁠Oils from sunscreen binding to the fibres

Even mineral sunscreens (zinc, titanium) contain oils and emulsifiers. These can oxidise in chlorinated water and turn yellow on fabric edges and seams.

3.⁠ ⁠Elastic and stitching being more absorbent

The edges and seams of swimsuits contain more elastic, which absorbs more sunscreen → more yellowing.

✅ How to fix the yellow stains on swimsuit discolouration

Try the steps below in order. Start mild, then escalate.

Step 1 — Rinse immediately in cold water

Rinse for 1–2 minutes to flush out chlorine and sunscreen residue.

Step 2 — Soak in a mix of:

•Cool water
•1 tablespoon of mild detergent (wool wash or lingerie wash)
•½ cup white vinegar
Soak 30–60 minutes.
Vinegar helps break down sunscreen oils and mild chlorine effects.
Step 3 — Use an oxygen-based bleach (NOT chlorine bleach!)
Examples: Vanish Oxi Action, Napisan, OxiClean.
•Mix a scoop with warm water (as per instructions)
•Soak the swimsuit for 1–4 hours
•Rinse well
⚠️ Do not use chlorine bleach — it will destroy the elastic.

Step 4 — If the yellowing is still there

Try baking soda paste:
•Mix baking soda + water into a paste
•Gently massage onto the yellowed edges
•Let sit 15–20 minutes
•Rinse very thoroughly

🚫 If it still won’t come out

Some avobenzone–chlorine stains become permanent chemical discoloration, especially on elastics.
If nothing above works, the fabric may be permanently oxidised.

⭐ How to prevent swimsuit discolouration next time

•Use a mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) — avoid avobenzone.
•Shower or rinse before getting into the pool (reduces the sunscreen–chlorine reaction).
•Let sunscreen absorb for 15–20 minutes before swimming.
•Rinse swimsuit immediately after each swim. 2 bedroom villa in nusa penida, 2 bedroom villa in penida, 2 bedroom villa in penida island, arancia, best places to stay in nusa penida, best places to stay in Penida, best places to stay in penida Island, diving, Luxury accomodation in nusa Penida, Luxury accomodation in Penida, Luxury accomodation in Penida island, Luxury holiday accomodation in nusa Penida, Luxury holiday accomodation in Penida, Luxury holiday accomodation in Penida island, luxury villa for rent in nusa Penida, luxury villa for rent in Penida, luxury villa for rent in Penida island, Luxury villa in nusa Penida, Luxury villa in Penida, Luxury villa in Penida island, nomad holiday rentals, nomad_holiday_rentals, nomadholidayrentals, nomadholidayrentals. nomadholidayrentals.com, nomadholidayrentals.com, nusa penida, penida, property management nusa penida, property management penida, property management penida island, sea view villa for rent in nusa Penida, sea view villa for rent in Penida, sea view villa for rent in Penida island, The Arancia Luxury Villa Nusa Penida, The Arancia Luxury Villa Penida, The Arancia Luxury Villa Penida Island, the arancia villa, villa for rent in nusa Penida, villa for rent in penida, villa for rent in Penida island, villa for rent penida, villa management nusa penida, villa management penida, villa management penida island

•⁠ ⁠Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology: “Avobenzone–chlorine interactions and their effects on textiles”
•⁠ ⁠Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) recommendations on pre-swim hygiene

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping maintain clean pools and avoiding preventable damage to your swimwear.

References:

•⁠ ⁠“Guidelines for Keeping Your Pool Safe and Healthy” — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [1]
•⁠ ⁠“Transformation of avobenzone in conditions of aquatic chlorination and UV‑irradiation” — study on sunscreen UV filter reactions with chlorine [2]
•⁠ ⁠“Identification of avobenzone by‑products formed by various disinfectants in different types of swimming pool waters” — PubMed article [3]

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