Latex Care

A Guide.

 

How to take care.

It is very important for the longivity of your latex garment that you take good care of it.

Wash it after every use, cover it in special silicone oil for latex to protect the surface (some may prefer talkum) and store it in a bag in a dark dry place. Thats the essence of latex care.

But we would like to mention some of the things you need to know to keep your latex garments in good shape for you to enjoy wearing it for a long time. 

Latex garments that have been worn should be washed immediately afterwards, since that make up, sweat and body liquids affect latex and signs of wear may appear in quick succession.

Additionally, please take notice that you should not use any skin care products, such as cream, lotions or perfume, if you plan to wear latex later.

Never use a different kind of oil (baby oil, plant oil etc.) or a product containing fats as a dressing aid. It would destroy latex very quickly.

Some plastics contain plasticisers, which can destroy latex. Toys made out of silicon or other soft materials (dildos and similar) should not remain in prolonged contact with the material. Do not leave such utensils in contact with latex garments overnight. At this point of contact the material will begin to curl and after some time also become brittle.

Latex can discolour easily. Be very careful when wearing latex, particularly with metal pieces, accessories, fashion and other jewellery, jeans buttons, money, belt buckles and shoes, the list is almost endless. Be very careful with copper and all non-ferrous metals.

Discolouration stains cannot be removed. With transparent or light - coloured garments it may happen that some other clothing items give of colour pigments, which land on your latex piece and cause stains as well. 

Avoid exposing latex clothing items to direct sunlight for prolonged time periods.

Sunlight contains UV-rays, which harm the material in the long run and make it appear dull and grey – thus the importance of storage in dark places.

Please also take notice that these garments should not come in close contact with other textile materials, metallic objects or latex of a different colour, as any such contact may cause discolourations and stains.

This should be a particular issue with latex garments in lighter colours.

A good layer of silicone oilfor latex helps to prevent staining but can't prevent it completely.

Additionally be very careful with personal care products and perfumes, make sure they make no direct contact with your latex garments.

Theatre make-up can also cause significant damage. It contains extreme amounts of fats and may discolour and even destroy your latex piece.

If you have long fingernails, you can cause significant damage to your clothing. Therefore, please pay attention to your fingernails while putting your latex on, do not employ the nails in any way (put the material flat into the palm of your hand) and make sure that they do not cut into the latex. If you rip your garment by using it please stay calm and contact us. Most damages can get repaired and you don’t have to say goodbye to your favourite latex piece straight away.

Please be aware that all translucent latex colours discolour over time and change their shade into mostly a darker shade. There is nothing that can stop that process. It is a natural behaviour of latex.

The simplest way of getting into latex garments is to use silicon oil as dressing aid. Some may prefer using baby powder(without perfume) or talkum. That is a personal preference but be assure if you use powder on the outside and you want a shiny surface on your latex it may get smudged.                    

 

How to wash.

It may be your best choice to simply wash your latex garments with a special latex washing liquid or some mild shampoo in warm water in the wash hand basin or the bathtub. You can even wash it in the washing machine. It is a procedure we are using for decades now and it never caused any damage to the latex. But you should follow some rules to make it safe.

That process is not needed if you have to wash only a panty and a little top but if you got a big pile of garments to wash that might be a good solution. Separate your garments in colour familys and maybe separate even the ones with lots of hardware. Use a big enough pillow case with zipper, put the garments from one colour family and place it into your washing machine. Then start your washing machine on a wool / silk or sensitive fabric program and if possible switch off tumbling. If that is not possible lower it to  the lowest tumbling setting. Use a washing detergent for wool or silk fabrics (without softeners) and use only a small amount or use a special latex wash detergent, some of the products on the market can be used in the washing machine.

After you have washed your garments by hand (or in your washing machine) fill up a bucket with lukewarm water and add some drops of silicone oil to the water. Pull your freshly washed latex garments through that bucket and hang it up to dry. You may need to turn it inside out to dry the inside of the garment as well. Using this method provides a glossy surface on the inside and outside of your latex outfit and you only need to take it out of it’s dark dry storage place next time ou want to wear. It will be ready to get into it easily and you will be ready to shine and sparkle from the outside with no extra effort. As more often you use that procedure as better the shine will be on the latex garment.

Please make sure you never store your garments when still wet or damp that can cause mould.

Some colours mostly translucent colours getting opaque stains after they get in contact with water. Don’t worry those stains will disappear during the drying process. In fact you can use it as a guide to see when your garment has dried completly to put it away.

 

How to store.

Your latex garments should be stored in a dark place in a bag. You can hang them in a cloth bag or fold them nice and neat, put them in a plastic bag and store them in a cabinet or box.  Avoid exposing latex items to direct sunlight for prolonged time periods. Sunlight and ozone harm the material in the long run and make it appear dull and grey.

Please also take notice that these garments should not come in close contact with other textile materials (for instance vegan leather etc) , metallic objects or latex of a different colour, as any such contact may cause discolourations and stains.

This should be a particular issue with latex garments in lighter and translucent colours .

Properly washed and dried latex garments should be coated with a silicon oil specially for latex to protect the surface.  This procedure prevents the latex garments from adhesion during storage and makes it easier and faster to get into it next time you want to use it.

 

We hope our guide provides all needed information how to take good care of your latex pieces. If there are still questions to come please don’t hesiatate to contact us. Please send an email to info.tcbas@gmail.com.