Latex apparel – most notably latex catsuits – can have a striking appearance. The smooth, shiny material and the way it hugs your body creates an eye-catching, second-skin feel. Latex is a very unique material and, if not treated properly, it won’t take long for it to lose its shine, become brittle or rip. Whether you’re an enthusiast of latex or wearing it for the first time, following these five basic tips will help you keep your latex catsuit looking as good as the day you bought it.
1. Clean your catsuit properly
Latex will become contaminated by sweat, dirt and oils, all materials that could damage a catsuit over time, therefore, properly cleaning your catsuit is fundamental to its performance and wearability. While you may not initially see the contamination, cleaning your latex catsuit uk after every use is still imperative to increase its lifetime.
The best practice for cleaning is to hand clean your latex. Begin by filling a basin or tub with lukewarm water and just a few drops of a mild soap (suitable for latex) which doesn’t contain any oils. Never use a detergent or cleaner as they can have harsh effects on the latex. Once your basin is filled, submerge the catsuit in the water and gently swish around the latex without scrubbing too hard, as to do so can create abrasions in the latex surface. After a few minutes of cleaning, locations of dirt/sweat will have dissipated and your latex should be cleaned. Rinse the latex with clean water, then rather gently, shake the excess water off and hang to air dry, avoiding direct sunlight and heat. Direct sunlight and heated surfaces can cause the latex to become brittle and diverge from its elasticity.
Once your latex catsuit has dried thoroughly, feel free to use latex friendly polish to return its shine, just avoid oil-based polishes which will wear down your latex.
2. Correctly Storing Latex
Correct storage of your latex catsuit is extremely important to prolong its life. Latex is a susceptible material, which can crease after folding it, discolor if not out of sunlight when stored, and stick to itself when just folded or put away improperly. Make sure your latex is completely dry with no moist areas before storing the latex, as this moistness will allow for mildewing or molded to grow. You will also cause permanent creases by folding latex in a wet state.
When you store your latex catsuit, keep your latex catsuit in a cool, dark place out of sunlight and artificial light to prevent weakening/fading the material. It is best to hang your catsuit on a padded hanger to lessen any possibility of making pressure marks or creasing it, if you can. If you cannot hang it, fold it carefully, and place a piece of tissue paper in between the latex so its own material does not stick to itself.
If you store your Dress long term, consider putting it in a garment bag so it will stay clean from dust and dirt. In addition to that, as a rule of thumb, it’s best to not store your latex catsuit close to metals especially copper and brass metals because this will stain your latex catsuit permanently.
3. Be Wary of the Surfaces of Your Catsuit
Latex has a high sensitivity when it comes to oils, sharp objects, and certain chemicals. Therefore, it is relevant to be aware of what comes into contact with your catsuit. Oils from your skin, surfactants, and even products for your hair can degrade the latex over time, causing brittleness and tearing. Before you even put your latex catsuit on, it is wise to ensure that your skin is clean and free of any oils. If you plan on using a lubricant or dressing aid to get on your catsuit, ensure it is silicone-based and labeled for safe to use with latex.
Sharp items such as jewelry, zips on other clothing and even long fingernails can puncture, or tear latex. When you have the latex catsuit, if you have to limit yourself to how stylish you look, take your time, and gently pull the latex into position using your fingertips. You would want to avoid pulling the latex with your fingernails, as this will cause tiny tears, that over time will grow.
Also, be cautious of layering with clothing, as rough fabrics, if any, could pose a risk by rubbing against your latex. If you will layer with clothing, please factor in smooth, soft fabrics that won’t snag, or scrape the delicate fabric on your catsuit.
4. Maintain Your Latex with Shine and Polish
A latex catsuit’s primary quality is its high gloss shine, which can diminish if neglected. Regularly polishing your latex will ensure it stays in excellent condition and resists the need for repair. Use a silicone-based latex polish; the polish can really add to the catsuit’s shine and add a layer of protection.
Now that you know to use a polish, ensure your catsuit is clean and dry. Apply a small amount of polish to a soft cloth, and gently wipe the latex surface with the cloth using a circular motion. Be careful not to over polish — too much polish can make the latex sticky. Polishing maintains the glossy appearance, while protecting the latex from drying or cracking.
Do not use polishing solutions based on oil or petroleum; these products will degrade latex over time. Also, take care not to polish any zippers or hardware, as they may interrupt the function.
5. Repairing Minor Damage
No matter how careful you are, you may encounter minor damage to your latex catsuit, especially with frequent use. Minor damage can be repaired at home with a latex repair kit, for example small tears, punctures, or scratches can often simply be mended easily. Typically a latex repair kit will contain latex patches along with a special adhesive that is made to bond latex material.
To repair a small tear, first clean the damaged area, using water, and let it dry fully. The next step is to apply some latex adhesive on the edges of the tear in order to bond the edges together. The edges of the tear should be joined together and held for a few minutes while letting the adhesive bond together. Let it cure for a number of hours before wearing the catsuit again. With larger tears, you may want to attach a latex patch inside the catsuit in order to make the initial repair more secure.
If you are uncomfortable doing this repair yourself, or the damage is more substantial consider sending it along to someone who specializes in latex clothing uk. The organizations that are specialized in this have the proper equipment and experience to mend more substantial damage while holding the integrity of the latex garment.
Conclusion
Caring for your latex catsuit takes a little work but is well worth it to keep the look, feel, and durability of this sexy material. Following the five helpful suggestions presented in this article – proper cleaning, proper linen storage, watch out for interactions with latex, polishing your catsuit, and repairing minor damage. Following these helpful tips will keep your latex catsuit looking fresh and top of mind for many wears to come. With proper care, your latex clothing will remain a striking and lasting statement piece for some time to come.
