Latex Care Guide

General Handling & Tearing

Latex is a delicate material and should be handled with care. Avoid contact with sharp objects, including fingernails, toenails, jewellery, and anything with sharp edges that could tear the latex.

When dressing, never pull on small sections of latex. This is especially important when zipping garments. Pulling on a small area near a zipper can cause tearing alongside the zip. While all of our zippers are reinforced with additional latex, they must still be zipped carefully and evenly.

Tears and damage are often repairable. If your garment becomes damaged, please email us with clear photos of the issue, or refer to our Latex Repair Guide for an overview of available repair options.

Colour & Stains

Latex can discolour when it comes into contact with certain metals, particularly when combined with moisture from sweat. Metals containing copper can leave yellow or orange staining, which is most visible on lighter colours but can affect any shade. These stains are permanent once set.

Because of this, we primarily use silver or black hardware. However, jewellery — even silver-coloured pieces — may still contain traces of copper. We recommend ensuring that no metal jewellery comes into contact with latex garments. If copper residue remains on the skin, it can transfer to latex, so showering after wearing metal jewellery is advised.

Latex is also sensitive to UV exposure. Prolonged exposure to sunlight will cause colours to fade or pale, and this damage cannot be reversed. Always store latex away from direct sunlight.

Darker colours may transfer onto lighter latex if stored together. Store items separately, ideally on wooden or felt hangers with space between each garment.

White or pale marks may appear after washing if the latex is not dried properly. This occurs when water becomes trapped between areas of latex that stick together. This issue is usually fixable — gently pat the item dry and allow it to dry fully for at least 24 hours, ensuring no areas are touching. Marks typically disappear once fully dry.

Dressing & Wearing

Before dressing, ensure the garment is well-talced or lubricated using a water-based or silicone dressing aid.

Put garments on slowly and gently, avoiding snagging with nails or jewellery. For delicate items such as stockings or fine straps, we recommend wearing cotton gloves while dressing.

Take extra care with fitted or intricate designs, as stress on seams and edges can lead to damage.

Washing & Shining

Latex garments should be washed as soon as possible after wearing. Use a latex-safe soap or a mild dishwashing liquid that contains no oils or fragrances.

Fill a sink with lukewarm water and add a few drops of soap. Gently move the garment through the water and lightly rub as needed. Rinse thoroughly with clean, lukewarm water to remove all soap residue.

For pieces like boned corsets, underwire bras and outfits with appliqués, be extremely careful when cleaning. Do not brush or press hard on latex edges as they might start peeling and be difficult to reattach. It is also preferable to clean without soaking the garment in water.

For water-based shine products, refill the sink with lukewarm water and add a small amount of shiner. Move the garment through the water until the desired shine is achieved. Additional product may be added if required. Dry the garment after shining.

If using a spray latex shiner, ensure the garment is fully dry first. Spray lightly and buff with a lint-free cloth.

Drying can be done by air-drying (which takes longer) or by gently patting the garment dry with a lint-free towel. Avoid rubbing aggressively, especially around appliqués or decorative elements, as these can tear or detach.

Storage & Transport

Store latex at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. Avoid contact with darker colours or metal components, as colour transfer and staining can occur.

Lightly dusting garments with talc before storage can help prevent sticking.

For light-coloured garments with metal fastenings, wrap metal parts in tissue paper to prevent staining.

When transporting latex to and from events, we recommend wrapping each garment individually in a microfibre towel. Once home, unwrap the items promptly and follow the washing and drying process before storage.