Objective

This page is for organizing tips and tricks for cleaning and caring for latex items.

Disclaimer

We are learning like everyone else. These are the best ideas we have collected from the community and do not guarantee results. If you find something works better or something does not work here, let us know via our website feedback link so we can update this doc to help everyone have the best-known latex care instructions possible!

Warning

Keep latex away from oils or petroleum-based products like massage oils as this will destroy your latex
Keep latex away from COPPER, BRASS, or BRONZE as it will stain your garment permanently
Keep latex away from intense heat and direct sunlight
Do not store latex under pressure or compressed under other items, this will cause the latex to deteriorate and become sticky, even melt together.
Do not dress/undress by pulling your latex up with a finger grip, or putting pressure on a single spot as this will permanently stretch the latex where your fingers are leaving bubbles, deformities, or making a hole. Test out pushing your finger through plastic wrap to see how much pressure you can apply before it permanently deforms.

Dressing

Remove sharp objects such as (rings, watches, necklaces, etc)
Lube up your suit with regular silicone lube or use baby powder (corn starch not talc). The more the merrier!
Some also prefer to lube their body (mileage may vary)
Once the garment is lubricated, carefully and slowly put it on. Roll or gather large sections to slowly work the garment on, and never pull at a single spot or hook the garment with a fingertip. Use both hands and apply pressure evenly across a large surface. Remove all jewelry when donning/removing latex and never use your nails, as these can puncture the garment.

Cleaning

After each use, soak latex in mild (unscented) soap or Blue Dawn (unscented) soap and warm water for 10 minutes
Rinse thoroughly in clean warm water
Fill a bucket with hot or very warm water and pour about 5-10 ml of lube for a catsuit into the warm water (same amount of lube you would use to shine latex directly, adjust to the amount of latex)
Repeatedly dip your latex and lightly rub under the water to ensure all sides look shiny and are not dull (unless you are shining a chlorinated latex side). Make sure to wipe all surfaces
MAKE SURE TO DRY YOUR SUIT IMMEDIATELY AFTER WASHING TO PREVENT MILDEW

Hang the garment for 4-8h and then flip it inside out and let it dry
Make sure to stuff a ball of paper towels inside to make sure the inside is not touching and air can circulate and allow the suit to dry

Storage

Best practices as far as we know

Storage prep

Check the garment for areas needing repair

small pin holes or tares
seam separation (best to see this when putting it away vs when wanting to wear it for an event putting it on)
weak/thin sections that let more light through than other sections. Likely to occur near high-stress points such as next to glue seams, crotch, armpits, etc

Wash
Rinse
Coat in silicone lube or powder such as cornstarch

Storage

Best practice (if not limited on space)

Clean and dry latex
Coat with powder (insert suggestions) NOTE: make sure it is not Talc (reference)
Hang to avoid compression (compression over long periods will cause garments to stick to self and self-destruct (NEED REFERENCE))
Keep in a cool dry place

Next best practice (if limited on space)

Clean and dry latex
Store in food-safe bags
Store in a container avoiding stacking more than 3-5" of suits to avoid compression on the lower pieces. (compression over long periods will cause garments to become sticky, "melt", and stick to self or slowly self-destruct (NEED REFERENCE))
Keep in a cool dry place

Keep away from (ideally at all times)

Exposure to light (UV)
Exposure to heat
Exposure to pressure
Metals non-ferrous - metals such as brass, copper, gold, nickel, ...

Stains

If you have a stain on your latex from it coming in contact with metal (COPPER, BRASS, or BRONZE), try the following

"If it is a stain from a brass zip, there is a technique to bleed the stain out by pressing a clean bit of latex against it for several hours. And repeating with a fresh bit of latex till the stain becomes insignificant. There has been reported success with removing stains after 5 days of weighted contact and moving the piece in contact around." - from Fetlife Latex Lovers

Creases

Fold seams should disappear within a few weeks or less if worn