Latex clothing is certainly one of the most recognizable materials in the fashion world for its outlandish look and shiny, sleek surface. Whether it is a latex catsuit, dress, or bodysuit, the glossy appeal of latex is part of its allure. But over time, that glorious shine and texture can fade due to simply wearing or the environment’s effect on it. But do not worry, with a little bit of maintenance and effort you can return your latex clothing to its original shine.
1. Occasional Cleaning is Important
Latex is a gentle and delicate clothing material that needs consistent care. One of the most important means to maintain the shine is to have it cleaned frequently. It is best after every wear to have your latex clothes cleaned in some way to remove oils, sweat, and dirt. Without cleaning the latex after each wear, the clothing may begin to lose its shine and become dull or sticky.
Once you decide your latex piece needs to be cleaned, be sure to:
– Get lukewarm water and find a mild soap that is made for latex clothing care. You do not want to choose any old soap, harsh detergent, or dish soap, these can strip away the shine and glossy look of the latex.
– Place the clothing in the soapy mixture and wash gently by hand – do your best not to twist or stretch the latex in any way.
– Rinse – be sure to rinse the latex well to remove any soap from the clothing.
After the latex clothing is cleaned, if at all possible, do not twist or wring out any excess water. Lay the garments on a clean, soft towel, and blot or soak up any excess water. Hang or lay flat to dry, out of direct sunlight or heat, to prevent drying out the latex clothing and losing the original shape.
2. Polishing to a Dazzling Shine
Polishing your latex garments is essential to restoring that brilliant high gloss look. Latex does not hold its shine naturally, especially after it has been cleaned. To restore the shine of your latex clothing requires a dedicated latex polish or silicone-based spray.
Here is the process of polishing your latex clothing:
– Make sure the garment is completely dry before applying any polish.
– Take a small amount of latex polish or silicone spray on a clean and soft towel, cloth or sponge and wipe the polish gently with a circular and massaging action across the entire latex surface.
The polish will give your latex clothing a brilliant shine and a protective barrier against dirt, dust, or fingerprints.
3. Storing Latex to Avoid Dulling
Proper storage of your latex clothing is important to keep it looking good, latex can dull or get sticky very easily if not stored properly; here are some tips for storage:
– Always store latex in a cool dark location, away from sunlight and heat sources. UV light will fade and dull the latex.
– Avoid letting latex contact metals, oils, or sharp objects, which can damage the surface of the latex.
– Store your garments flat or with a gentle roll instead of hanging, which can stretch or create crease lines.
For long-term storage, some latex enthusiasts suggest lightly dusting the inside of your latex garments with talcum powder to avoid sticking, while the outside should be left polished for protection.
4. Tips of Mistakes to Avoid
If you are caring for latex, it is crucial to know what not to do to avoid irreversibly damaging your garments. Here are some common mistakes to avoid doing:
– Avoid using products based on petroleum: Petroleum and oil-based products are harmful to latex as it breaks down the latex.
– Do not use regular household cleaners: Strong and harsh chemicals will dissolve or strip latex of its shine, which will make it brittle.
– Never machine wash or machine dry your latex clothing: The agitation of the machine in combination with the heat will break down the structure of the latex and will stress it and stretch, tear, or melt it down.
Avoiding these mistakes will help to keep your latex clothing looking new for longer.
5. Revamping the Luster on the Outfit
If you have your latex outfit stored for some time, the outfit may look dull. Revamping the luster is as simple as using your polished cloth to gently buff the outside of the garment with a latex polish or spray pre-wear. Buffing the latex lightly will produce your fashion pleather like it is new.
Consider using a high gloss finish just before wearing your garment for special events or photo opportunities. Many latex fans apply a silicone-based shiner shortly before going out, allowing the latex to catch the light perfectly.
6. Using Lubricants to Create Shine on Latex Clothing
Lubricants can also create shine to your clothing made of latex. When latex enthusiasts apply water-based lubricants to put on latex clothing, it can provide a subtle sheen to the surface along with assisting putting on tight winterized latex clothing. In addition, if your latex clothing feels difficult to pull on, sometimes it is best to apply a very small amount of lubricant on the inside of the garment, but keep your nice shiny outside.
Do not use oil-based lubricants, as these degrade latex fabrics.
7. The Decision to Sparkle or Reinvest
With appropriate care, it is only due to the elements that certain latex pieces of latex clothing uk will lose their sparkle or begin to show some signs of “wearing”. This is also the time when you may wish to consider hiring a professional or simply buying a new piece or two particularly if it is a piece you wear frequently. Quality latex clothing is an investment, and part of getting a good return on that investment is to regularly “update” items with a new and shiny piece of clothing!
If at this point you are not quite ready to “part ways” completely with a piece of latex clothing, there are several professional options available to polish and refurbish your pieces. Also, they can repair pimples or small rips, reinforce seams, and deep shine them to levels that you may not be able to replicate at home.
8. A Conclusion
Polishing your latex clothing to a new shine is a relatively simple process. Unless the items of clothing have accepted subtle dirt, extended dirt or neglect and/or moisture is maintained properly, it is just a matter of routine care, maintenance in cleaning, and use of the appropriate products specifically for latex. Simple adherence to these guidelines should extend the life and beauty of your latex clothing, and keep them looking as luxe as they did on the day you brought them home. With proper maintenance and care your piece will remain and continue to be a bold, shiny statement piece in your wardrobe for a long time!
