Latex dresses are beautiful garments that show off their graceful glossy shine and their form-fitted body hugging shape. Whether you wear latex frequently or on special occasions, there are a number of things carefully considered which will help extend the life of your latex dress. We’ve outlined a few guidelines for providing care to your latex dress that resembles its original state.
Always Wash After Each Wear
The first thing to remember with latex is that it must be washed after every wear! Latex dresses, especially when worn for extended periods of time, pick up body oil, sweat, and anything else from the environment, they’d just as soon get rid of it! If not properly removed, these substances will break down the latex material over time internal, back of the dress or interior latex if any.
When washing, hand wash your latex dress in lukewarm water and a delicate soap. If possible, use a soap that says it’s directed for latex. Avoid using soaps with harsh detergent or chemicals that wouldn’t be safe to damage the material. Once completed, do a rinse through in lukewarm water, hang dress to air dry. Latex should never be wringed or twisted since it could cause the latex to come out of shape and it will never form the same.
Proper Storage is Important
Latex is vulnerable to several environmental situations: heat, sunlight, and contact with various metals. It is important to store your latex clothing appropriately when not in use. First and foremost, ensure it is fully dry after cleaning, as wet latex will develop mold and impact the usability of the material.
Store your latex dress in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Allowing your latex dress to be exposed to sunlight will cause the latex to become brittle and its glossy appearance will diminish. It is suggested not to hang your latex dress on a metal hanger, as contact with certain metals (like copper) can change the color of the fabric. Use a padded or plastic hanger, or a breathable garment bag (folded) for keeping it.
No Oils or Perfumes
Despite seeming shiny and sleek, latex is surprisingly fragile when it comes to certain products, specifically oils. Any surface oils will degrade the fabric rapidly, so it is important that you do not put on oil-based products on your skin before dressing in your latex. Water-based lubricants will provide you similar effects to oil-based products on porous fabrics, and powders with be useful for ease of dressing, but will not impact the integrity of the latex.
Additionally, be careful when using perfume or deodorant. Spraying onto latex will discolor the fabric, and oils will weaken the fabric. Putting perfume on before dressing (ensuring it has dried before putting on latex) will prevent damage to your latex.
Polish and Shine with Care
A latex dress’s polished look is undoubtedly one of its most appealing qualities however, every gloss needs care. After cleaning, the latex color or finish will usually appear matte; however, you should be able to use a polish specifically safe for latex for a high-gloss look. It is very important that you only use a product that is specifically latex-friendly; other types or appearances of polish or cleaner may contain one or a variety of chemicals that can seriously damage your latex fabric.
Once you have the latex-friendly polish, simply spray the polish onto a soft towel and gently buff into the surface of your dress evenly over the entire area. If your dress has a zipper or another hardware, be cautious and avoid getting any polish on these areas as polish can build up and hinder the zipping process.
Handle with Care
Latex is a delicate fabric; too much or too little care can lead to deliberate tearing or puncturing of the latex fabric. Owning latex-esque clothes comes with the simple caution whenever you put on or pull on the dress, do not pull or tug at the latex. If you have a dressing aid or lubricant, make sure to put it on so the latex does not stick to your skin and possibly put latex dress on the seams.
Also, again, beware of sharp objects or jewelry that can snag or puncture the latex fabric. Rings, bracelets, or even long nails can easily catch on the material and cause instant commitment to the material. If you discover a small rip, repair it immediately to prevent it from becoming bigger. A latex repair kit can assist in repairing little holes while allowing you to wear it again.
Wear Multiple Dresses
In cases where you have more than one latex dress, it may be useful to “alternate” your dress as not to wear one single dress too much. Latex generally holds up pretty well if cared for and used properly, but too much and/or frequent use can cause some extra wear and tear to your dress. It is important to change outfits so that your dresses have a chance to rest in-between wear, hold their shape, and all of your dresses get equal wear.
Following these recommendations for care will help prolong the wear of your latex dress and keep it fresh for your next chance to wear your dress. Washing your dress each time you wear it of course helps, but also be sure to store any dress well away from sunlight and heat. You should also avoid using products that are perfumed and/or oiled while being extra cautious to take care of your dress to make sure it stays in fully great condition. Taking the necessary time to better care for your latex dress is the beauty along with the investment in such a bold fashion.