Salt, Sun, Repeat: How to Care for Coastal Garments
Coastal living is hard on clothing. Salt crystallises in fabric fibres, UV light breaks down dyes and weakens threads, and sand works its way into every seam. None of this is avoidable if you actually wear your clothes near the ocean — which is the point.
What you can control is how you care for garments after they have been through it. A few simple habits make a meaningful difference to how long a piece lasts and how well it ages.
Rinse Before You Wash
Salt is the most persistent enemy of coastal clothing. When seawater dries, it leaves behind fine salt crystals that sit between fibres, drawing moisture from the air and keeping the fabric in a constant low-level damp state. Over time, this weakens the yarn and accelerates fading.
The fix is straightforward: rinse garments in fresh water as soon as practical after salt exposure. A cold rinse under a tap or hose is enough — you do not need soap at this stage. The goal is to dissolve and flush the salt before it sets.
If you cannot rinse immediately, avoid leaving salty garments balled up in a bag. Hang them loosely where air can circulate until you get to a tap.
Washing: Less Is More
Over-washing is one of the fastest ways to wear out good clothing. Each machine cycle subjects fabric to friction, heat, and chemical exposure — all of which degrade fibres and strip colour.
For most coastal garments, a cold wash on a gentle cycle is sufficient. Turn pieces inside out to protect the face of the fabric, especially printed or dyed items. Use a mild, pH-neutral detergent. Skip the fabric softener — it coats fibres with a silicone layer that reduces breathability and can trap odours over time.
If a garment is not visibly dirty or does not smell, consider whether it needs a full wash at all. Airing out between wears extends the life of any piece.
Drying and Sun Fade
UV radiation is what causes sun fade — the gradual lightening of dyes that happens when garments are exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods. Some fading is natural and can give clothing character, but excessive exposure will weaken the fabric itself.
Dry garments in the shade whenever possible. A covered line or drying rack out of direct sun is ideal. If you do dry in sunlight, turn garments inside out and bring them in as soon as they are dry rather than leaving them out for hours.
Avoid tumble drying unless necessary. The combination of heat and mechanical tumbling causes shrinkage and accelerates pilling, particularly in cotton. Air drying is gentler and uses no energy.
Storage Between Seasons
If you are putting garments away for a period — the end of summer, a trip inland — make sure they are clean and completely dry before storage. Any residual salt or moisture can cause mildew or yellowing over time.
Fold knits and heavier pieces rather than hanging them, which can stretch the shoulders and neckline. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct light. Cotton breathes well in storage, so avoid sealed plastic bags that can trap humidity.
Ageing Well
Well-made garments should not look new forever. A slight softening of colour, a broken-in hand feel, a collar that sits just right after dozens of wears — these are signs of a piece that is being used as intended.
The goal of good care is not to preserve clothing in its original state. It is to slow down the destructive forces — salt, UV, friction — so that wear happens gradually and gracefully rather than prematurely. A garment that ages well is one that was both well made and well looked after.