How to Care for Your Micro Bikini

You've purchased that fantastic bikini that you've been looking at for months on end. You've been invited to a wonderful beach party that is the perfect outing for displaying your brand new swimwear. You wear your unique and one-of-a-kind bikini to that fashionable function and you're a total smash. You're making the social rounds and mingling with new and exciting people that are so delighted to meet you too when all of a sudden you are accidentally bumped into and that hot dog with mustard that you've been holding, slips and falls all over your sexy bikini. Not to worry, because you were careful to bring a change of clothing for such mishaps. However, you just remembered you have another beach party to attend that you wanted to show off your new bikini and now it's all stained. Here's what you do:

Steps

1. 
   1Instructions. Read and carefully follow any fabric care instructions that come with or are listed on your bikini wear. You don't want to ruin it and use something that's going to make the color fade or stain even more. Determine if you are going to hand wash or machine wash your bikini wear. Take in consideration the fabric, texture and ornaments, if any, that may be affected. Of course, hand washing delicates is the safest way of handling such items, although if you are confident that your fabric can withstand a washing machine, then going that way may be plausible.      
2. 
   2Stain Removers. Treat stains as soon as possible. Newer stains are easier to remove than older ones. Always test stain removers on an inside seam or hidden part of the garment for color fast issues. Never put chemical dry-cleaning solvents into the washer.
3. 
   3Don't mix different stain removal products together. Some mixtures such as ammonia and bleach can discolor your swimwear. Always launder the washable items after using a stain remover to eliminate the residue of the product. Have patience, some stains take longer time to remove and multiple applications. Along with stain removers are pre-stain removers and they come in either liquid, stick or spray formula. Pay close attention to the type of fabric and read the instructions on the individual product for finding out which will work best for you.
4. 
   4Water Temperature. Always use the safest water temperature for your fabric unless you have tested it and it bleeds. In that case, either use lukewarm water or cold water. Make sure the water is clean and sometimes you can add a pre-soaking agent to the water that you are going to hand wash your fabric in to aid cleaning. Refer to the Party Stains List below to select the proper water temperature with regard to a specific stain you would like to remove.
5. 
   5Detergents. There are all purpose detergents that come in either liquid or powder form. Some are heavy-duty and some are fabric sensitive and/or hypoallergenic. It's up to you to determine which is better fitted for you and your fabric. Again, pay attention to the fabric and ornaments on it. You want a detergent that will liquefy quickly enough so your bikini doesn't have to sit a long time in the solution. Here are some tips on removing specific stains when choosing your detergent and water temperature.
6. 
   6Alcohol Stains: Launder with detergent in hottest water safest for the fabric. Do not use soap (bar, flake or detergents containing natural soap) since soap can make the stain permanent. Soak stains for 30 minutes in 1 teaspoonful of presoak product. If all the sugars are not removed, a brown stain will appear when the fabric is heated in the dryer or is ironed, as the sugar has caramelized.
7. 
   7Chocolate Stains: Treat the stain with a pre-wash spray or product containing enzymes. After pre-treating, then rub with a heavy-duty liquid detergent and launder. If the stain remains, then re-launder with bleach that is safe for the fabric.
8. 
   8Coffee & Tea Stains: Saturate the stain with a pre-treatment stain remover. Rub it with a heavy-duty liquid detergent then launder in hottest water safe for the fabric.
9. 
   9Blood Stains: Flush cold water through the stain and scrape off crusted material. Soak for about 15 minutes in a mixture of lukewarm water, 1/2 teaspoon liquid hand washing detergent and 1 tablespoon ammonia. Rub gently to loosen the stain and then launder. If the stain is not completely removed, wet the stain with hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia and leavHyd rogen no longer than 15 minutes.
10. 
    10Rinse with cool water.
11. 
    11Lipstick or Juice Stains (AKA: Dye Stains): Sponge area with dry-cleaning solvent. Rub with heavy-duty liquid detergent then launder. If needed, use an all-fabric bleach.
12. 
    12Drying. If you're the old fashioned type, then nothing works better than hanging something out to dry in the natural breeze. Although if you have no time for that, then using a cool to warm temperature when drying out your special fabric will be sufficient enough to keep it looking nice and new. Be wary of any kind of trinkets or beads that could easily be caught and torn from your swimwear.

How to Find the Right Size Swimwear for Your Kids

When shopping for swimsuits for your children, it’s important to get the right fit. Armed with a tape measure and a little research, you can find the perfect swimsuit for your kids — no matter their size. Keep these tips and suggestions in mind when shopping for kids’ swimsuits.

THE RIGHT FIT

Though swimsuits need to fit more snug than other clothing, you don’t want them to be too tight. A swimsuit that is too tight can cause irritation and chafing. Swimwear should not be too loose either. Baggy suits may fall down and also can interfere with swimming. The fabric should lay flat and smooth against the body. Waistbands and leg holes shouldn’t bind. The child’s rear end should be completely covered. And for girls who are already developing, the breasts shouldn’t be spilling out of the top.

When trying on swimwear, have your child reach high above his/her head, twist to the side, bend over and sit down. Look at the swimsuit from all angles. It shouldn’t ride up, slip down or bind, no matter what position your child is in.

BUY ONE SIZE UP

Kids’ swimsuits generally run small. You’ll find that for most swimwear brands, you should buy a size up from your child’s normal clothing size for the best fit.

SIZES BY HEIGHT

Sometimes it’s easier to find the right swimsuit size for your child by height. Below are a list of sizes, beginning with toddlers, and the corresponding height range. Of course, this is just a general guideline as sizes vary by brand and style.

• 2T – 33-35″
• 3T – 35-37″
• 4T – 38-40″
• 5 – 42″
• 6 – 45″
• 7 – 49″
• 8 – 52″
• 10 – 55″
• 12 – 58″
• 14 – 60″

ONLINE SIZE CHARTS

SwimOutlet.com offers a list of links to swimsuit brand size charts for both adults and kids. Knabe’s features a competitive swimwear size chart as well. You may find both of these lists very helpful, particularly if buying swimsuits online.

SWIMSUITS FOR BOYS

When it comes to swimwear, it’s often easier to find the right size for boys than it is for girls since boys usually just wear trunks. When shopping for swim trunks, pick a pair with a drawstring to avoid any embarrassment with the suit falling down. For young boys who actually want to swim, the inseam should be just a few inches long. Though long, baggy board shorts are trendy, they aren’t conducive to swimming.

YOUR CHILD’S PROPORTIONS

Of course, height or weight isn’t the end all when it comes to sizing. You must take your child’s proportions into account. Two girls of the same height can have torso lengths that varies by several inches. If you can’t find a one-piece suit that fits properly but still want plenty of coverage, consider a tankini. This two-piece swimsuit style features a tank top partnered with a bikini or boy shorts bottom.

ADJUSTABLE STRAPS FOR GIRLS

Swimsuit straps shouldn’t fall off the shoulders nor should they be so tight that they dig into the skin. Ideally, straps should be just tight enough that you can slip your thumb between the strap and the shoulder. Fortunately, you can find a wide assortment of kids’ swimsuits that have adjustable straps, or straps that tie at the shoulder or behind the neck halter style.

Kids grow like weeds. If your child needs a new swimsuit this season, keep these tips in mind to help find the perfect fit.