Photography: @warmruberette | Model: @haunchmeat

HOW TO WASH LATEX CLOTHING ? - THE DETAILED WASH GUIDE

Valentina Dress — @haunchmeat — @warmrubberette

Latex is one of the most rewarding materials to wear and one of the most unforgiving when neglected. The good news is that caring for latex is simpler than most people expect. What matters is consistency, minimal product, and a little patience.

This guide covers two approaches based on garment type. The method you use depends on how much latex fabric you are working with.

BEFORE YOU START - THE RULES THAT APPLY TO EVERYTHING

  • Regardless of the garment, these apply every time:
  • Always wash by hand. Never machine wash latex.
  • Use lukewarm water only. Heat damages latex permanently.
  • Never wring, twist, or scrub. Gentle pressure only.
  • Never dry in direct sunlight or near a heat source.
  • Never use oil-based products. They will destroy the material.
  • Always use a non-metallic hanger for drying and storage.
  • If wearing your garment outdoors or in direct sunlight, wear it inside out. The unpolished interior surface is significantly more resistant to UV exposure than the finished exterior.

METHOD 1 : FOR GOWNS, DRESSES, SKIRTS & LEGGINGS

Recommended for: gowns, maxi skirts, skater skirts, pencil skirts, dresses, and leggings. Any garment with a significant surface area where latex risks sticking to itself on a big surface during drying.

The Vivishine bath method is the most effective approach for large pieces. The goal is not a heavy shiny coat. It is a thin, even layer that prevents the latex from adhering to itself and allows it to dry cleanly.

Step 1: Wash. Fill a basin with lukewarm water and a small amount of mild, fragrance-free soap. Submerge the garment, swish gently inside and out. No scrubbing, no wringing. Rinse thoroughly until no soap remains.

Step 2: The Vivishine bath. Empty the basin and refill with clean lukewarm water. Add approximately 5 drops of Vivishine, no more. Submerge the garment, turn it inside out, and work the solution gently over the entire surface. Soak for one to two minutes.

Step 3: Hang to dry. Hang inside out on a non-metallic hanger. Away from sunlight and heat. Allow to drip dry completely.

Step 4: Prepare for wearing Once fully dry, keep the garment inside out. Apply a very thin, even coat of baby powder to the inside surface only. Do your best not to let powder touch the outside. It will dull the Vivishine finish.

Step 5: Getting dressed. When ready to wear, turn the garment right side out gently and slide into it. The powdered interior will move smoothly against your skin while the exterior stays clean and shiny.

METHOD 2: FOR TOPS, BODYSUITS & LINGERIE

Recommended for: cropped tops, small bodysuits, bras, panties, and other small pieces where surface area is limited.

Smaller pieces require even less product. The principle is the same, a barely-there coat of Vivishine, just enough to protect the material without making it feel overworked. One or two drops of Vivishine are genuinely sufficient for a bra and panty set together. A few drops covers multiple small pieces at once.

Step 1: Wash Lukewarm water, mild soap, gentle swish, thorough rinse. Same as Method 1.

Step 2: The Vivishine bath. Add just a couple of drops to a basin of clean water. Less than you think you need. Submerge the pieces, turn inside out, and work the solution gently over the surface. One to two minutes is enough.

Step 3: Hang to dry. Hang inside out on a non-metallic hanger. Away from heat and sunlight. Allow to dry completely. It won't take long.

Step 4: Store with powder. Once fully dry, apply a thin coat of baby powder to the garment. This prevents the latex from sticking to itself during storage and keeps the piece in good condition between wears.

Step 5: Getting dressed When ready to wear, just slid into your garment, wipe the outside surface with a clean damp cloth first. Then, if you want additional shine, apply the silicone polish.

STORAGE

Once your piece is clean, dry, and powdered on the inside, store it on a non-metallic hanger in a cool, dark place. Away from the light and humidity. A zip bag adds extra protection. Keep light colors stored separately to prevent color transfer, and alway cover the metal parts so they do not touch the fabric for a long time.

Never store latex near copper, leather, or oil-based materials. Chemical reactions will occur.

A NOTE FROM TOX

These methods come from years of making and wearing latex. The most common mistakes we see is using too much silicone shiner on garments with zippers, too much exposure to light when the garment is drying.

Treat latex with care and restraint, and it will last.

 

TOX Latex — Handcrafted in Canada. Built to be felt.

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