Latex Care
Please Proper Care For Your Latex Clothes
Latex is a natural substance and requires some care and attention to get the best out of it. Please read the following information. With correct care, your latex items can last for many years.
1. WASHING YOUR LATEX CLOTHING
Wash latex clothes properly!
If you take off a catsuit or similar garment under the shower, it will be rinsed, however, it is best to wash your latex clothing in the hand basin or in the bathtub afterwards. For the right care, wash the garments briefly in lukewarm water with a special latex detergent or regular (mild and non-perfumed) dishwashing detergent (NO other household cleaners!).
RINSE thoroughly and hang the item inside out on a plastic hanger to dry (or towel dry), then turn the right way round and hang again on the plastic hanger until completely dry.
A good solution for cleaning your latex, is to fill a sink or bath with lukewarm water, with no soap, turn the garment inside out, and swish it around. Then hang it on a plastic hanger right side out and then turn it inside out until it is dry on the inside. It should be stored with unscented baby powder on the inside and polished on the outside with a good latex preservative.
We know sometimes our garments may contact liquids other than water. Be aware some soaps are harsh to latex and will damage or weaken it over time. Anything with chlorine or bleach should be avoided and any such contact will weaken the materials even if quickly rinsed. This includes swimming pool or hot-tub water.
Washing Machine and Tumble Drying
Although it is possible, we do not recommend washing and drying your latex clothing in machines.
Washing and Care of Chlorinated Latex Clothing
In terms of care, chlorinated latex articles are easier to handle and it is washed just like untreated latex clothing. After washing, your clothes will no longer stick together.
Application of silicone oil – either directly on the skin or on clothing
It is recommended that you apply silicone oil (or unscented talcum powder) to your body before dressing to make it easier to slide into your garment.
Apply the silicone oil directly to the skin like a body lotion. Then put on your latex catsuit or leggings. In addition, you can apply it as a dressing aid to the inside of your latex garment – particularly in the narrow places such as arms, legs, armholes and crotch – to ensure an easy sliding method.
Avoid fingernails and sharp objects
Avoid sharp objects, in particular long fingernails, which can cause considerable damage when putting something on. It is advisable to wear cotton gloves, but please make sure that your fingernails are not used when tightening (grip with the flat in your hand and straight fingers) and make sure that your fingernails do not penetrate the material. Always use a light pressure and a flat hand.
CAUTION: Do not apply silicone oil to the inside foot area of latex stockings or catsuits, otherwise they will slip back and forth too much in the foot section. In addition, the danger will force your toes to penetrate through the latex and cause damage – because your feet slip further and further forward inside the foot area.
Dressing the latex clothes with powder
You can use powder, or unscented talcum as a dressing as an alternative to silicone oil. The previously silicone oil-free and powdered latex clothing can then easily be put on with talcum. Apply the powder or talc to your skin first. Your skin must be completely dry! If you sweat too much when dressing, it will be difficult and without silicone, almost nothing works anymore. Sprinkle the powder or talc inside the garment and shake gently for an even distribution inside.
Putting on chlorinated latex clothes
Chlorination makes the surface of the latex clothing smooth and silky. Latex then glides on the skin like silk and can be put on without any aids such as silicone oil or talcum.
ATTENTION: The gliding effect is lost if the skin is too moist (sweating) or has been previously creamed. In this case you can still help with a little bit of silicone oil.
2. TAKING OFF YOUR LATEX CLOTHING
When taking off latex clothing, damage can also occur. To avoid overstretching, particularly when you take off a catsuit, it is much easier to take it off under the shower or in the bathtub. Apply liquid shower soap inside the neck and shoulders whilst under the shower and your catsuit will slide off easily. Never tug or pull your garment when taking it off. Always push the material using your thumbs tucked inside the garment.
CAUTION: Clothes with worked on socks or latex stockings are very slippery when combined with water, so extra caution should be taken to avoid an accident in the shower cubicle.
3. CORRECT STORAGE OF YOUR LATEX CLOTHING
Latex clothing should be stored cool and dark
It is very important that latex clothing, and other latex articles, are stored in a dark place such as a wardrobe or drawer. Never expose latex clothing to sunlight for longer than necessary. The UV rays contained in the sunlight damage the material. It is recommended that you use garment bags, even for particularly large items of clothing such as latex catsuits or latex dresses. Small items should be stored – lightly talced – in a zip-loc or other sealing style of plastic bag in a drawer.Care should also be taken with some plastic clothes hangers as they can cause the shoulders to stretch, split and perish if hung on them for long periods.
To avoid your latex clothes from discolouring
Latex clothing discolours quickly. Be careful to ensure that your latex clothing (particularly light coloured latex such as white, pink and beige) does not come into contact with other darker coloured latex, other textiles, metal objects, accessories, costume jewellery, jeans buttons, money, belt buckles and shoes, as this can lead to an unattractive discolouration and stains. These discolorations can no longer be removed.
You should also be careful with body care products and perfume and not associate it directly with latex clothing. Theatre make-up is also harmful as it contains many extremely fatty substances that destroys and discolours the latex.
IMPORTANT – avoid products such as VASELINE and other petroleum-based products as the ingredients will destroy the latex.
4. OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
How do I make my latex clothes shine beautifully?
Specially developed sprays and polishes (such as silicone oil and Vivishine) are used to give latex a high gloss. The viscosity of these sprays and polishes is specially adjusted to the shine and they penetrate deep into the latex. It is recommended to use a damp kitchen sponge to apply the polish for an even coating.
CAUTION: If you want to lightly buff your latex, do not use conventional micro-fibre cloths. These rough up the latex. AMOR ALL is also a shine and care product available in pump spray which has been used for shining latex clothing for more than 20 years. (You can also use AMOR ALL for machine washing in the fabric softener cycle.)
Can I wear latex under normal clothing?
Avoid, if possible, wearing latex under normal clothing, because the material becomes matt at the places where it comes into contact with the textile fabric (knee area or elbow) and can no longer be made to shine permanently. The best care with silicone or Vivishine will not help. Due to this wear and tear, the material becomes more susceptible to stretching after frequent wear at the worn areas.
How do plastics behave with plasticizers and latex?
Some plastics contain plasticizers which can destroy the latex. Toys made of silicone or other soft materials (dildos and the like) should not come into contact with the material for too long. The material starts to wave and then becomes brittle after a while.
How long does my clothing last with proper latex care?
With the right storage and good latex care you will enjoy your clothes for many years. If you follow the simple rules such as not too much sunlight, proper dark storage, no grease or oil and always wash after wearing, your latex clothing can last many years. The lifespan depends on the care you give your latex clothing. In addition to the right latex care, the lifespan also depends on how often the clothing is worn and how much it is stressed.
What Lubes & Powders I should use?
We recommend Vivishine Dress, as the best solution for slipping into your tightest latex garments. You rub a little all over your body and slide right in. Some people prefer to use any non-scented powder baby powder. If you do this, you should liberally cover the inside of your garment, and then shake out any excess before pulling it on. Be careful of pulling too hard on the seams, if you’re having trouble getting a garment on then you’re just not using enough powder or lube.
Any precautions?
1. Avoid or at least be careful of sharp objects like jewelry and long nails, cigarettes in clubs, and those that come up to you and stretch the latex just to hear it snap.
2. Copper will stain latex and once it does it will not go away.
3. Never use oils and latex together because the latex will gradually disintegrate. So if you plan on something slippery, make sure it is water based.
4. Do not store latex near sunlight or it will chalk or turn white. Try silicone to hide the white if this happens.
How to prevent tears and how to repairs?
Should a seam split, I suggest returning the garment to us for repair. If you want to try it yourself, the simplest approach is to think of it as an inner tube repair and buy a patch kit. It won’t look great but you will still have your garment. Tears are not the result of manufacturer’s defect, and are not covered under our warranty. However, if a seam should split on any Sloganlatex garment, you can return it to us for repair under warranty.
And most important is leave the latex clothes far away from metals and moisture!