LATEX GARMENT CARE
Rubber garments are luxury items. Latex rubber is a natural product and will provide years of pleasure for you and all those you come in contact with, provided you care for it correctly.
The following recommendations will help ensure a long life for your valuable latex garments.
For Leather Care, scroll down.
Cleaning:
Fill a basin with lukewarm water (no soap), turn the garment inside out and swish it around. Then hang it on a plastic hanger (just like Mommy Dearest said, NO WIRE HANGERS) right side out until dry on the outside, then turn it inside out until dry on the inside.
If you’ve been doing more than just lounging around in your rubber garments, wash them with dish detergent (e.g. dawn dish soap) first then rinse them with water.
Lubes & Powders
(getting into your latex garments):
Eros Body Glide or Pjur Cult Dressing Aid Lube are generally considered the best solution for slipping into your tightest latex garments. Be Gloss also makes solutions for lubing up and shining your rubber garments. You (or a special friend) rub a little all over your body and slide right in. These products also work well on the outside of garments (see “Shining”).
Or you can slip into your garments the old fashioned way and use any non-scented powder (e.g. talcum powder). Liberally cover the inside of your garment, then shake out any excess before pulling it on.
If you're having trouble getting a garment on then you're just not using enough powder or lube.
Storage:
If you aren't going to wear your garments often, be sure they are dry and stored away from the sun. Do not hang latex on wire hangers, as it may cause the latex to “melt” and do not hang it by the straps, as that can stretch it out of shape. Additionally do not store latex next to leather as it may melt.
I personally keep half of my latex stored in a bag with talcum powder and hung inside out pre-shined so I’m always ready for a night out.
Shining:
The longer you have a garment and the more often it is shined, the shinier it will remain. While it seems that getting a good shine would be easy, it requires patience, a gentle touch and practice.
Shine is a matter of personal preference. There are some colors you may not want to shine and prefer a matte look. Likewise, shining products are a matter of preference, based on desired effects, status and ease.
If you’d like a high shine, I use the same Eros Body Glide or Pjur Cult dressing aid lube mentioned in the “Lubes & Powders” section. There are cheaper products, such as Armor All, found at auto supply or hardware stores, that provide a nice shine.
Spread a liberal amount onto the garment and gently smear it with a soft, lint-free cloth, microfiber towel, shop towels, or bare hands until the surface gleams. DO NOT rub hard. At best you will merely wipe away all the shine, and at worst you may damage the surface. You do not want to wipe OFF the shining product...merely spread it around. You will need to check your work under good lighting and do touch ups as required.
CAUTION:
Avoid or at least be careful of sharp objects like jewelry and long nails, cigarettes, etc. Copper, and any metal with copper in it, will stain latex and once it does it will not go away.
Never use oils and latex together because the latex will gradually disintegrate.
Do not store latex near sunlight or it will chalk or turn white. Try silicone to hide the white if this happens.
Do not hang latex on wire hangers, as it may cause the latex to “melt” and do not hang it by the straps, as that can stretch it out of shape.
Additionally do not store latex next to leather as it may melt.
Last, but certainly not least, be wary of wearing your garments too much as soon you may never want to wear anything else and you may be labeled a fetishist - or worse - a pervert by your friends and loved ones!
Tears & Repairs:
If your garment tears, it’s best to let a professional patch it. We here at Apex do that! If you want to try it yourself, the simplest approach is to use a bike inner tube repair/patch kit.
LEATHER GARMENT CARE
Same as above goes for leather goods. Leather garments are luxury items. Leather too is a natural product and will provide years of pleasure for you and all those you come in contact with, provided you care for it correctly.
The following recommendations will help ensure a long life for your valuable leather garments.
Cleaning:
Outside of Garment: Apply a bit of water into a tin of saddle soap (our favorite is Fiebing’s). With a soft brush or cloth lather up the soap and apply it in a circular motion onto your leather garment. Keep the soap moist and lathered BUT not wet. Once complete, wipe off any excess with a damp cloth. Let dry completely before…
Inside of Garment: Mist the interior with vodka or a 1:3 parts white vinegar to water mixture. Alternatively, if you’ve been doing a lot of who knows what in your leather, instead of or in addition to misting, you may want to sprinkle some baking soda onto the garment, let it sit, and wipe it off.
Conditioning/Shining:
Technically, saddle soap will be enough for your garment, but should you want the shiny feel and more protection for it (e.g. waterproofing, preserving), apply a conditioning product. Our favorite is Huberd Shoe Grease (and don’t be surprised if you develop a new fetish for this delicious smelling and feeling stuff), which we typically just apply with our hands.
Storage:
If you aren't going to wear your garments often, clean and condition them before they go into storage. Then, hang them up in a cool, dark place. Ensure they receive a conditioning every 6 months or so to remain supple. Additionally do not store latex next to leather as it may melt.
Tears & Repairs:
If your garment tears, it’s best to let a professional patch it. We here at Apex do that!