How to Dye a Nylon & Spandex Swimsuit

How to Dye a Nylon & Spandex Swimsuit
Written By
Celeigh O'Neil
Celeigh O'Neil
Published: Apr 30, 2009
Updated: Jan 10, 2019
2 minute read
Happy friends jumping on the beach
Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Wavebreak Media/Getty Images

Swimsuits made of nylon and spandex offer comfort and style. When the suit becomes faded or you want a new color, dye it at home with the right product. For nylon, that product is an acid dye, which is similar to a regular fabric dye but requires vinegar to set.

Fill a large pot with enough water to cover your swimsuit. Turn the stove on to medium heat and allow the water to heat until boiling.

Pour powdered acid dye into the pot. Stir the powder with a spoon until it has dissolved completely. Use the amount indicated on the box to get the shade that you want.

Run the swimsuit under warm water until it is soaked through. Place it into the pot and adjust the stove's temperature to just below boiling.

Stir the water continuously until it achieves a slight boil. Use a spoon to hold the swimsuit against one side of the pot. Pour a quarter cup of vinegar into the water, avoiding direct contact with the suit. Release the swimsuit and stir the vinegar into the water.

Reduce the temperature to medium heat and allow the suit to sit for half an hour while stirring occasionally. Medium heat provides enough heat for the acidity to affect the dye without damaging the spandex content of the suit.

Advertisement

Turn off the stove and remove the swimsuit. Wash it in a washing machine on the delicate setting with color-safe detergent to remove excess dye. Wash it alone to avoid damaging other clothing, and hang the suit to dry.

Photo Credits

Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Wavebreak Media/Getty Images

Celeigh O'Neil

Celeigh O'Neil has been writing professionally since 2008. She has a Bachelor of fine arts from the University of Ottawa, as well as degrees in fashion illustration/design, digital arts and certification in hair and makeup artistry. O'Neil…

Sponsored
Our Everyday Life Logo

Explore our everyday life, the best source for food and drink tips, health and general wellness, healthy relationships and much more.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.