Latex clothing is seen as daring, fashionable, and unforgettable. From a fabulous pair of leggings to a shimmering mini dress to a latex bodysuit, latex has found its way into fashion and performance wear, for a good reason: it’s edgy and elegant, with a hopeful, futuristic shine in a body-hugging, familiar feel. But if you’ve ever owned a piece of latex clothing, you know one thing for sure: they are not like just throwing a T-shirt in the wash. Latex requires a little TLC, especially regarding a latex bodysuit. The right care plan will keep your bodysuit looking shiny and smooth for many wears, while extending the life and maintaining the stretch, glossy appearance, and shape.
Why Does Latex Clothing Require Special Care?
Many individuals become enamored with latex after seeing its eye-catching character on stage performers, models, or in some club scenes. The bodysuit is incredibly popular because it provides full-body coverage while accentuating curves. It’s a garment that demands attention and rewards confidence. However, the same body-hugging, flattering fit also means that it’s in direct contact with skin, oils, and sweat. Therefore, cleaning becomes essential. If you allow natural oils and residue to build up, a breakdown of the latex material occurs, making it brittle or cloudy, and spongy, losing its original shine.
Donning and Doffing a Latex Bodysuit
The first part of the care process is understanding what you are dealing with: latex is essentially natural rubber; it is stretchy, but it is still sensitive. It can tear with excessive pulling and shouldn’t be put into contact with certain substances like metals or oils. That said, you will need to exercise a little more patience and consideration than you normally would with your average piece of clothing. When you are getting into your bodysuit, talcum powder or silicone latex bodysuit aid will help immensely. These represent proper lubrication, which helps eliminate friction and makes sliding into your latex much easier, preventing any unnecessary stretching or tearing along the seams. Think of it as a little assist for your bodysuit – it will be smoother for you and softer on the garment itself!
Properly cleaning your latex bodysuit.
Once you are done enjoying your latex bodysuit, the next big step is properly cleaning it. Fabric can be tossed in the wash cycle, but latex must be hand-washed every time it is worn. Over a clean sink or basin, fill it with lukewarm water and soap – you’re adding a small amount of gentle, fragrance-free soap. Then, submerge your bodysuit and gently swish it around with your hands. Don’t twist or wring the material, as this can do long-term damage. Rinse thoroughly in cold water to remove all soap residue. It may not appear to be the most fun compared to your regular laundry, but this step will maintain the latex free from skin oils and sweat, which we find may cause the material to break down faster.
Drying, Polishing, and Ultimately Storing for Longevity
Just as cleaning your latex bodysuit is critical, drying is too. Never put your latex in a dryer, and never hang it in sunlight, as heat and UV may weaken and discolor the rubber. Gently pat the bodysuit dry with a soft towel to remove excess water, then lay it flat to dry in a shaded area and away from heat sources – natural or mechanical. When your bodysuit has fully dried, you may lightly dust the inside with talcum powder or cornstarch to prevent sticking. If you prefer a glossier look for your next wearing, you may also polish the outer finish with a silicone-based shiner, restoring the mirror-like finish that latex is known for.
Storing is another critical aspect to keeping your bodysuit in prime condition. Latex takes a dislike to any metal. It’s a bad idea to use a metal hook hanger since it may stain when it reacts with the rubber, and metal hooks may cause unwanted kinking. Direct sunlight, high heat, and coming into contact with other types of fabrics, especially those that are dyed with certain pigment colors, are also detrimental. The best possible return for storing your latex bodysuit is to keep it tight in a cool, dark area, where it can be hung in a hang position (using a wide plastic hanger), or by simply folding the outfit neatly into a garment bag. Some enthusiasts prefer to keep their latex products wrapped in plastic to lower their exposure to air; thus, the latex oxidizes less over time. You may only have to spend a few minutes to properly store it, but later on, you won’t have to pull it out from a shelf only to see yellow patches or sticky spots.
Minor Actions That Make a Major Impact
Putting on latex can also mean doing a little preparation for your body. The material is not forgiving, and oil-based lotions or fragrances will not be suited for wearing under your bodysuit. Oil will degrade the latex and leave hard-to-remove stains. You might want to moisturize, so try water-based products that do not have components that will interfere with the rubber. Many latex enthusiasts, myself included, recommend taking off any sharp jewelry or accessories before putting your bodysuit on, as jewelry that is even slightly sharp can create scratches that can lead to eventual tears. When you treat latex properly, you will be surprised at how durable it can be, but one mishandled tug or scrape can greatly reduce its life expectancy.
Polishing your latex is where the magic happens. It is very easy to tell where all of your hard work was spent, especially washed latex, which has a soft matte appearance, and a bodysuit, which looks fresh if it hasn’t been polished yet. You give your bodysuit the chance to shine after you polish it. Silicone shine products are the industry standard for polishing latex and are either in a spray bottle or added to a soft cloth. As you work the product into the surface, the newness of the latex gets suppressed, and the latex takes on a glossy finish that looks like it is running and will eventually get the observer’s attention. Not only is polishing your bodysuit great for looks, it also acts as a protective coating from dust and dust disturbances. Many people polish their latex right before heading out for that dramatic look that latex has become synonymous with in the fashion community.
How Long Can A Latex Bodysuit Last?
One common question newcomers have is how long a latex bodysuit can last. When taken care of correctly, the answer could be a long time! Quality latex clothing can sit in a closet for years, even decades, when treated with care. That is also why establishing a care routine for your latex clothing–cleaning, drying, polishing, and storing your bodysuit–is useful; it’s not all about the way you look today; it’s about ensuring you get a return on investment. And considering yet again, latex pieces often cost more than your average lumalatex bodysuit item, it is worth it to care for them.
The Care Process
There are some practical aspects to caring for latex clothing, but there is also an appreciation that comes with caring for your latex clothing. When using and caring for your bodysuit, you have a much more tactile relationship with the clothing, rather than fast fashion clothing, which is disposable and has little meaning after it is worn. Latex clothing invites you to be intentional about the garment, encourages you to slow down, to enjoy the tradition of care and dressing, and reminds you to treat your clothing with the same respect you want clothing to reflect on you, and with this respect and care, the bodysuit will reflect amazing sheen, fit, and style that no other garment can.
There are always elements of excitement and rules when dressing in latex fashion. The excitement comes from wearing latex, a fabric that is brash, bold, and attention-grabbing. The rules come with learning the ways to care for the clothing, and the even more exciting rules that come with dressing in latex and taking care of it. This combination of excitement and discipline is what makes latex ownership special. After repetitive use and care for your latex clothing, powdering before using the bodysuit, washing after use, and polishing before heading out, it begins to feel second nature, almost like a tradition. Instead of seeing the care of your latex bodysuit as a burden, many latex enthusiasts see caring for their bodysuit as part of the experience; it adds value every time they wear the bodysuit.
Final Thoughts
Caring for your latex bodysuit does not have to be complicated; it needs to be consistent. Treat your piece with grace and patience, and it will provide you with shine and years of enjoyment. Latex clothing may not be the easiest clothing to hold onto in your wardrobe, but it is one of the most rewarding. With a little TLC, your latex bodysuit will be a show-stopping, glossy, stunning piece that you can pull whenever you want to create a lasting impression and boost your confidence with no effort.
