A swimming cap is a very important element of clothing at the pool. It protects us against bacteria and viruses and provides better freedom of movement and prevents the hair from getting wet in chlorinated water. There are many types of swimming caps available on the market, but before you decide on a specific model, it is worth learning how to properly choose a swimming cap for your activity.

Contents:

  1. Swimming cap - which one to buy?
  2. Swimming cap - cap functions
  3. Swimming cap - how to put it on
  4. Swimming cap - sizes
  5. Swimming cap - types
  6. Swimming cap - how to take care of the cap?

Swimming capis a must-have swimming equipment if you want to enjoy free swimming in the pool without any he alth complications. It is true that not every swimming pool requires wearing a cap, but this habit should be enforced by ourselves. No matter if swimming is our passion, weekend hobby or professional physical activity - we should wear a swimming cap with every visit to the pool. Check why!

Swimming cap - which one to buy?

What cap to buy? This question is certainly asked by many amateurs of swimming in the pool. You can buy a swimming cap at any sports store, in the swimming pool area, and most supermarkets. Swimming caps are also available in online stores. Which cap should you choose?

First of all, it is worth paying attention to the material from which it is made and resign from material caps that get wet and therefore do not fulfill all their functions.

We should also choose the appropriate size of the cap for our head so that it is not too loose or too tight.

Note: never buy a used cap! You don't know who had it in front of you and whether it is infected with something. It is better to be cautious and in this aspect not only be guided by money, but primarily he alth. Other features of the swimming cap remain secondary.

Swimming cap - cap functions

Are you wondering why you should buy a shower cap and is it worth having? A swimming cap in the pool has two most important functions:

  • Protects skin and hair from getting wet

Swimming pool water contains chlorine or is very often ozonated.Of course, this is to keep it hygienic and to prevent the growth of fungi and bacteria. Unfortunately, chlorine, due to its drying properties, has a negative effect on our skin and hair.

Those who are more sensitive to it may also irritate and cause skin allergies. In order to protect our hair and scalp from drying out, it is worth wearing a cap that will not allow contact with water and will protect these areas from the harmful effects of chlorine.

  • Protects against pollution

The scalp is loaded with bacteria, sweat and sebum, and we don't usually wash it as often as we do other parts of the body. Unfortunately, more and more often you can meet with the lack of the requirement to wear swimming caps in the swimming pool. Then it is much easier to get unwanted infection and contaminate the water.

In addition, it's easy to lose hair while swimming and diving in the water. If all of us were to swim in the pool without a protective cap, the risk of contracting a skin disease in the pool would increase not only the risk of contracting a skin disease, but also the level of water pollution.

  • Other benefits of using a swimming cap are:
    • control over hair that does not tangle in water and does not fall into our eyes
    • ear protection against splashing water and clogging as well as bacteria and viruses
    • reduced water resistance, which results in more effective swimming time and more economical work during this activity

Is a swimming cap obligatory in every pool? No, which does not change the fact that we should demand hygiene from ourselves.

If we take care to wear flip-flops in the shower, because we are afraid of contracting a disease, we should also wear a protective cap. Taking into account swimming pool and swimming pool regulations, a swimming cap is required for around 60% of indoor swimming pools, but no such requirement at outdoor / public swimming pools.

Swimming cap - how to put it on

The technique of putting on the cap is different. If you have short hair, you can afford all the options. It is only important to make sure that it fits snugly against the skin and covers the ears.

People with longer hair should gather their hair into a flat bun or ponytail with an elastic band, then put both hands into the cap, stretch the cap a little and put it on the head, starting from the back.

It is very important to carefully stretch the cap, as inferior plastic materials may break. People with long nails should be especially careful.

Swimming cap - sizes

How to choose the right cap size? It's important to have a shower capcovered the ears and well-protected the head against water getting into it. At the same time, the swimming cap should not be too tight, because it can cause headaches, problems with concentration and even fainting.

Swimming caps come in various shapes, so it's not difficult to choose the right cap for yourself. When choosing, we must take into account the circumference of our head and the abundance of hair. Some pool caps have an extendable back so that you can easily fit your hair there, without worrying that they will fall out of the cap while you are active in the pool.

The sizes of caps are rarely given on the websites of shops. After choosing a cap, it is worth going to a stationary store and trying on the cap well before buying it. It is not worth relying on the information about the universal size of the cap, because it will mean something different for everyone. If we decide to buy online, let's first look for information about the material from which the cap is made, because it will tell us a lot about its stretchability.

Let's also pay attention to the size parameters, because on the product page there should be a table with the size of the cap in centimeters. It usually includes a vertical and a horizontal circumference. Sometimes you can also find information about the dimensions of the swimming cap on the model, after it is placed on the head. If such information is not provided, don't be afraid to ask the seller about it.

Swimming cap - types

There are many types of swimming caps and everyone will find a suitable swimming cap for themselves. The most popular types of swimming caps are:

  • Silicone caps : They are of the best quality, but also the price is quite high. They are most often chosen by athletes and swimming enthusiasts. Silicone is a material characterized by high durability and resistance to damage. Silicone swimming caps are also very flexible, so they won't pull on hair or skin, which is a common reason for not wearing a swimming cap in the pool.
  • Latex caps : Like silicone caps, they protect the hair and scalp. Their cost is not high, but the quality is inferior to that of a silicone product. Latex, on the other hand, has a good breathability function, thus preventing overheating and increasing sweating on the scalp. These types of caps are a good choice at high temperatures or during aqua fitness classes, when we make a lot of effort. The disadvantage of latex caps is their poor extensibility, which makes them more prone to mechanical damage and much more difficult to put on the head, especially when we have thick hair. They shouldn't be with thempeople allergic to latex can be used.
  • Rubber caps : These are a common choice of latex allergy sufferers. Rubber caps are characterized by a fairly thin coating and not very high extensibility. Their advantage is very good waterproof properties.
  • Lycra caps : caps made of Lycra are comfortable to wear and easy to put on. They also have great stretch and hold the hair well, but unfortunately they do not protect them from water as they get wet.
  • Neoprene caps : They are of the highest quality and are usually only used by professional swimmers.
  • Caps with massage function : Caps with massage function have special projections that massage the scalp. Such caps are lined with a massage coating on the inside, and the entire cap is made of silicone. The outer shell of the cap has a smooth structure and does not differ from the standard prototypes.
  • Caps with interesting shapes : for people who want to stand out in the swimming pool and for those who care about interesting fashion solutions, there are caps of various shapes, styles, covered with interesting decorations. In stores you can find, among others: caps covered with flowers, fish-shaped caps, caps with inscriptions, patterned caps and much more!

Swimming cap - how to take care of the cap?

Taking care of your swimming accessories requires regularity and consistency. It is worth protecting your swimming equipment to minimize the risk of infection, get rid of unpleasant odors and keep the equipment in good condition so that it will serve you for a long time.

The swimming cap should be washed after each visit to the swimming pool, because chlorine in the water can damage its structure, and bacteria in the water - infect our skin. How to care for a swimming cap? This can be done in a few simple ways, here are some of them:

  • Washing the cap with baking soda

Baking soda has high antibacterial properties and is great for microbes and fungi. To wash your swim cap with baking soda, put three tablespoons of food in a bowl and combine them with three tablespoons of water. Put the swimming cap in the bowl and leave it there for a minimum of three hours.

After the indicated time has elapsed, rinse the product with cold water and let it dry by itself. Do not dry the cap in the sun or directly on a radiator, as it may melt and be permanently damaged mechanically!

  • Cleaning the cap in vinegar

Vinegar prevents stains and cleans those that have already covered the cap coating.It also inhibits the growth of fungi. To clean the shower cap, mix a little vinegar with warm water and place the shower cap in the bowl.

Scrub it with a brush in previously prepared water, rinse and dry it in the fresh air so that the unpleasant smell of vinegar wears off. To make the rinse more effective, add a little sea s alt to the water. This will perfectly preserve the cap. Vinegar rinse should be done at least once a month.

  • Washing the shower cap with soap

The last way to keep your swimming cap in good condition and clean is to clean the swimming cap with a sponge and a little soap. This is the easiest way to maintain the hygiene of swimming pool equipment, but at the same time the least effective, because the soap is the worst at dealing with dirt and getting rid of bacteria from the cap.

After all, it's a good idea to do this after each visit to the pool, and a good way to remember to clean your pool equipment is to wash it when you shower for the first time after leaving the pool.

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About the authorMałgorzata Kośla She is a qualified fitness instructor and certified personal trainer. Since childhood, her greatest passion was sport - she played football and basketball. Then a new love came - dance, especially dancehall. He likes to sweat at the gym and relaxes in yoga and meditation sessions. He is constantly expanding his knowledge about training and a he althy lifestyle. What besides sports? He runs a store with natural cosmetics and he althy food, writes his own blog (stylzyciadowolny.pl) and deals with copywriting.

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