Swimwear is heavy on synthetics, dyes, and water-repellent finishes. We surface the highest-scoring swimwear we have analyzed and explain which fibers and finishes to look at on the label.
Swimwear is one of the categories most consistently flagged for PFAS-based water-repellent finishes. It is also one of the highest microplastic-shedding garments. Recycled-polyester swimwear without DWR finishes is usually the better tradeoff.
These score better on microplastics, biodegradability, or shedding for swimwear. Tap into a material guide for the full breakdown.
19 visible scored products match this category.
Brand: Rawganique
Brand: NATASHA TONIC
Brand: BeachCandy
Brand: Mighty Good Basics
Brand: BeachCandy
Brand: NATASHA TONIC
Brand: MATE the Label
Brand: Subset
Brand: Wealurre
Brand: Nest Designs
Brand: Nest Designs
Brand: Pact
Brand: PACT
Brand: Pact
Brand: Bombas
Brand: Athleta
Brand: KNITLORD
Brand: huha
Brand: Boody
Have a specific swimwear item in mind? Paste the product URL into the analyzer or paste the fabric label into the homepage checker. Both work without an account.
Greener Closet treats swimwear as non-toxic when the fiber composition avoids high-shedding synthetics, when there is no evidence of PFAS-based water- or stain-repellent finishes, and when the manufacturing inputs score reasonably on microplastics, half-life, shedding, and energy. Swimwear is one of the categories most consistently flagged for PFAS-based water-repellent finishes. It is also one of the highest microplastic-shedding garments. Recycled-polyester swimwear without DWR finishes is usually the better tradeoff.
Look for Recycled Polyester. These score better on microplastics, biodegradability, or shedding compared with the petroleum-based synthetics that dominate this category.
Be cautious with Polyester, Nylon, Elastane, especially when they appear with stain- or water-resistant finishes. These materials drive most of the score pressure for swimwear.
Each product is scored from the full material label and any available certifications. The scoring weights microplastics at 45%, PFAS at 15%, half-life and biodegradability at 15%, energy at 10%, azo dyes at 10%, and fiber shedding at 5%.