How to Wash and Care for Your Gaffs and Tucking Swimwear

Nobody warns you about this part. The first time I wore a gaff all day, every day, I was completely unprepared for how quickly it needed washing. I quickly found that a gaff needed attention far more often than I expected, and for a while I genuinely did not know what the right routine was supposed to look like.

I'm Robyn Electra, founder of Gaff and Go. I still get asked how to wash a gaff more than almost anything else, which tells me most people are figuring this out the same way I did, through trial and error.

There is a lot of vague or contradictory advice out there, so this guide covers what actually works for gaffs and for tucking swimwear specifically, from how often to wash to what ruins the fabric.

WHY WASHING YOUR GAFF PROPERLY ACTUALLY MATTERS

This is not just about freshness. A gaff sits tight against sensitive skin for hours at a time, often through heat, movement and sweat, which is exactly the kind of environment where bacteria builds up fast. Health guidance on tucking consistently lists washing gaffs and underwear regularly as a basic safety step, alongside taking breaks and never sleeping tucked, because skin irritation, rashes and infections are genuinely more likely when hygiene slips.

None of this is meant to alarm you. It simply means that how you wash a gaff is not a small detail. It is part of tucking safely, in the same category as choosing the right size and giving your body breaks.

HOW OFTEN YOU SHOULD ACTUALLY WASH ONE

There is no single rule everyone agrees on here, and if you have gone looking for one, that is probably why you came away confused. What matters most is how long and how often you wear it. If you are tucking all day, every day, washing after every wear is the safest habit, since that is the closest thing to washing regular underwear daily.

The honest reality is that not everyone has the time or money to wash one every single day, and that is a completely fair constraint. The simplest fix, and the one most people land on eventually, is rotating between two or three gaffs. One gets worn while another is washed and drying, so you are never stuck choosing between an unwashed gaff and going without.

This is exactly why we sell tucking gaffs in multi-pair bundles rather than only as single items. It is not just better value, it is a more realistic way to actually keep up with washing without wearing the same one for days between washes.

HOW TO WASH A GAFF THE RIGHT WAY

Once you know how often, the next question is how. Cold or cool water is the safest choice, since heat is what breaks compression fabric down fastest over time. A gentle cycle in the machine is fine for most cotton-lined gaffs, but if yours has lace, delicate trims or a mesh front, hand washing will keep it in shape for much longer.

Skip fabric softener entirely, and go easy on the detergent too. Both can break down the elastane in the waistband and gusset over time, which is exactly what gives a gaff its hold.

A mild, unscented detergent is all you need, and if you are washing by hand, resist the urge to wring it out. Gently squeeze out the excess water instead, then reshape it before it dries.

Drying matters just as much as washing. Lay your gaff flat or hang it to dry, and never put it in the tumble dryer. The heat from a dryer is one of the fastest ways to wear out elastic fabric, and a gaff that has lost its stretch will not hold a tuck the way it should.

CARING FOR TUCKING SWIMWEAR: CHLORINE, SALT AND SUN

Swimwear takes a different kind of punishment, and it needs different care to match. Our own care label for tucking swimwear is clear: machine wash with like colours at 30 degrees, gentle cycle only, non-chlorine bleach when needed, lay flat to dry, and never tumble dry. Following that label properly is the single biggest thing you can do to make a swimsuit last more than one summer.

What the label does not tell you is the timing. Chlorine and saltwater both start breaking down elastane the moment they touch it, and the longer they sit in the fabric, the more damage they do. Rinse your swimwear in fresh water as soon as you reasonably can after the pool or the sea, even if a full wash has to wait until you get home.

One more habit worth building: do not leave damp swimwear rolled up in a bag for hours. It holds onto moisture, which is a fast route to mildew and a smell you will not get rid of easily. If you cannot wash it straight away, at least let it air out flat somewhere before it goes anywhere near a wash bag.

SIGNS IT'S TIME TO REPLACE YOUR GAFF

A brand new gaff often feels very tight at first, and that is completely normal. Compression fabric relaxes a little over the first few wears, so do not mistake that early settling in for wear and tear.

The real signs to watch for are different. If the waistband no longer springs back after you stretch it, if the fabric feels thin or see-through in places it did not used to, or if you are having to size down just to get the same hold you used to get from a proper fit, that is your gaff telling you it is done.

No amount of careful washing keeps compression fabric working forever, and pushing past that point usually means less support exactly when you need it most.

KEEPING YOUR GAFFS AND SWIMWEAR GOING FOR THE LONG HAUL

Good washing habits are a small routine that pays off in comfort, hygiene and how long your gaffs actually last. Once it becomes second nature, it stops feeling like extra effort and just becomes part of how you look after yourself.

Have a look through our tucking underwear and swimwear collections if you are due a refresh, and if you have questions, our FAQs are a good starting point, or get in touch directly.