How to Care for Latex Fabrics

Latex is a strange material to make clothes – although it is a form of natural rubber, latex is also susceptible to damage if you are not careful. Luckily, as long as you’re gentle with the item and properly cared for, your outfit can last for years! Read frequently asked questions about latex care for simple tips on do’s and don’ts.

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How to wash latex clothing?

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Soak latex in soapy water to remove sweat and grease. Fill a basin or deep sink with warm water and add a little dish soap. Clap your hands in a basin of water to lather up the soap and submerge the latex item in the water. Stir the item until it is soaked with water. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Dish soap helps to remove baby powder, sweat, and grease that you may have used to get dressed.
Most manufacturers of latex clothing recommend not washing latex in the washing machine, but many people think washing is fine, as long as you turn the item inside out, put it in a mesh bag, and set it to wash. hand on machine. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Rinse the latex item in warm water to remove the soap. Empty the sink or empty the basin of soapy water. Fill the basin with warm, clean water and stir the item until it is completely soapy. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

You can rinse the item again if it is still slippery after rinsing once.

How to dry latex clothing safely?

Squeeze out the water by hand and air dry. Remove the item from the water and hold it over the basin or sink. Squeeze the item from top to bottom to drain the water, then spread on a dry towel or clothes rack. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Remember that water can drip if you use a clothes rack. Maybe you should spread a towel under the drying rack to absorb the water.
Wait for the latex fabric to dry completely before storing.

Avoid drying latex clothing in the dryer and do not use an iron. If you’re in a hurry, you might just want to use the dryer to make it quick. Do not! If you use a dryer or an iron, the latex can melt and stick together. In addition, latex will be weaker and more susceptible to deterioration. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Do not take latex items to dry cleaning, as the dry cleaning process also damages the material.

How do latex fabric surfaces not stick togetherf?

Rub cornstarch or talcum powder (talcum powder) all over the latex fabric. When the garment is completely dry, spread it out and sprinkle cornstarch or talcum powder evenly over the fabric. Flip the item over to dust the other side with powder. ^{[6] X Research Source} Note that government agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are testing talcum powder for asbestos, a substance linked to inhaled cancer . ^{[7] X Trusted Source American Cancer Society Go to Source}

If you don’t have cornstarch or don’t want to use talcum powder, you can use baking soda or tapioca starch.
Don’t forget to sprinkle flour on the inside of the fabric as well. Turn the garment inside out to sprinkle the powder on, it will be easier.

What to use to polish latex fabric?

Rub a silicone lube or latex polish all over the fabric for a shiny shine. If using gel, squeeze a dime-sized amount of gel onto your hand and massage into the latex surface. If you’re using a spray bottle, you’ll spray the fabric and rub it in until the latex is shiny. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Polish latex clothing only when you are about to wear it. If you plan to store latex clothing, go, you should rub talcum powder before storing.
Do not use an oil-based lubricant specifically designed for silicone polishing as it can degrade the latex.

Use a lint-free cloth to scrub the latex surface if you want the fabric to have a matte finish. If you don’t like the glossy surface, you can use a dry lint-free cloth to rub the glossy surface to reduce the shine. Continue scrubbing in a circular motion until the latex surface has the desired matte finish. ^{[9] X Research Source}

How should latex clothes be stored?

Place the talcum-rubbed latex garment in a cloth or plastic bag and store it in a dry place. Wait for the item to dry, rub talcum powder onto the latex surface and place it in a clean bag or plastic bag. You can keep it in a cupboard or drawer until you need to wear it. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Store latex clothing bags away from heat sources or humid areas.
Do not expose latex to direct sunlight, as UV rays will cause latex to fade and deteriorate faster.

How to keep latex from damage?

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Hang latex clothing so it doesn’t show wrinkles when stored. Hang the item on a wooden or plastic hanger to keep it flat, then put it in a coat bag or large plastic bag before hanging it in the closet. Latex garments won’t wrinkle or stick if you hang them instead of folding them. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Don’t hang brightly colored latex items next to each other, as they can bleed.

Store latex clothing away from direct sunlight and heat sources. You can wear latex clothing on a hot day, but don’t expose latex to such conditions for long periods of time. That’s because latex will quickly discolor and begin to deteriorate. Latex is also very flammable, so you also need to keep it away from fire. ^{[12] X Research Source}

You should also avoid getting latex into grease as they can cause the latex to break down.

Warning

Some studies suggest that asbestos-containing talcum powder may cause cancer. Other studies are also being done to see if asbestos-free talc poses a similar risk. ^{[13] X Trusted Source American Cancer Society Go to Source}

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