Latex clothing care instructions - how to clean, shine & store

Garment care instructions for latex clothes

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So you finally got yourself some of that shining glory that is rubber.

But what to do with it?!

Well, wear it of course! (instructions for which you can find on this post)

But wait, not so fast. Something doesn't look right. It's all matte and dusty, and it smells like a mixture between your Aunt Petunia and a sex club. It seems there might be a reason that latex is not one of the most commonly sported materials. But learning how to properly prepare your latex before wearing it, as well as how to properly care for and store it afterwards is part of the initiation ritual.

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So let's get shining!

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LATEX RUBBER is a natural material, and as such it is delicate and it naturally degrades over time. But with the proper care, your garment can serve you for many glorious years.

Latex clothing will often be delivered with a thin coating of talcum powder (hence the Aunt Petunia smell) which serves to reduce the friction of the material, which would otherwise stick to itself and become damaged. For this reason a latex garment must be washed (and to taste, shined) before each use. After worn, it must be washed again and covered with talcum powder for storage, until the next time you have to do it over again from the beginning.
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''Something doesn't look right. It's all matte and dusty, and it smells like a mixture between your Aunt Petunia and a sex club.''

cleaning your latex clothes:

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• ! HAND WASH ONLY !
• ! DO NOT TUMBLE DRY, DO NOT DRY CLEAN !
• ! We recommend cleaning your latex clothing after each wear. That will prolong its life, as oils excreted from the skin during wear slowly degrade the chemical composition of latex !

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1. Dissolve a small amount of mild soap detergent (dish soap is ideal) in lukewarm water and submerge your latex in it.
2. Leave to soak for about 5-10 minutes, turning it inside and out. You may want to slightly rub it with your fingers, but as latex is very non-porous, most of the dirt sits on the surface and will simply dissolve after a short soak.
3. Rinse it with clear water, making sure all traces of soap are washed off.

after that, you have options....

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WEAR YOUR LATEX MATTE

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If you would like to store your latex, or wear it matte:

Hang it up to drip dry on a non-metallic hanger. You may wish to shake the majority of the water off to make it dry faster, but never ever hang it over a radiator or use heat to speed up the process. Once dry, sprinkle a small amount of talcum powder on both the inside and outside of the garment, making sure it is covered evenly and not still sticking to itself anywhere.

For storage, you can put it in a garment bag or wrap it in tissue paper and store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

or...

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MAKE YOUR LATEX CLOTHES SHINE. Literally.

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If you would like to wear your latex shiny, you may use a polishing agent. There is various brands available, follow the instructions of the manufacturer of your polish. These are usually made up mostly of silicone oil, and have the purpose of coating the latex to make it shiny and gliding.

With Vivishine for example, fill a small basin or sink with enough lukewarm water to submerge your latex in. Dilute a small amount of the polish in the water (roughly one teaspoon per garment, but you will get a feel for the amount after you have done this a few times). Turn the garment inside and out, rubbing the surfaces together to work the polish into the latex.  You may also leave the garment to soak for a few minutes.

When you are satisfied that the garment has been thoroughly covered in polish you may hang it up on a non-metallic hanger to drip dry. Always drip dry!

Vivishine also functions as a dressing aid, so once dry you can wear your garment straight away. If in need of more lubrication, use silicone based lube. Don’t use talcum powder at all with this method, they don’t mix well!

latex enemies:

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• Avoid sharp objects; latex can rip very easily if punctured. Even the tiniest hole can result in a big rip if the garment is worn. Always inspect your garment before and after use, and make sure to have any small holes or tears repaired before wearing it.

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• Avoid contact with metals, especially nickel and copper alloys (such as coins and some jewellery). Latex will stain instantly and permanently.

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• Avoid contact with oils and petroleum based lubricants (such as baby oil or vaseline). These can degrade the latex. Use silicon based lubricants or talcum powder as a dressing aid instead, and avoid applying body oils or creams beforehand. Also avoid storing your latex shined with silicone, as that too will slowly degrade it over a long period of time.

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• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight; natural light will degrade the longterm integrity of your latex. Going out in the daytime is fine (as if you would want to do that, anyway!) but, don’t store your latex uncovered, or in a bright place.

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• Be extra careful with light coloured latex; it can permanently stain very easily by make-up, metals and oils. Don’t store your light coloured latex garments in direct contact to darker latex colours, as the colour may transfer over time.

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Sometimes your latex may show white streaks, especially when you have been storing it for a long time or when it is wet. This is normal, and the streaks will disappear once you have conditioned the garment or once it is dry.

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And that's it! Now you are in the know.

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Go forth and shine!

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( and if you are not in the possession of any latex to shine yet, that can be swiftly remedied, here!)

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