latex care
latex has a smooth, supple surface which feels soft against the skin. with proper care, glosscouture latex will last for years of enjoyment.
general:
- to ease putting on latex, apply a silicone lubricant/polish to the skin and inside of the garment before hand.
- latex punctures and tears easily- use caution when putting on and taking off garments, especially with long nails. removing jewelry is recommended.
- although latex is fairly elastic, it is possible to overstretch which leads to tearing.
- avoid exposure to oils, grease, and solvents- these will destroy latex.
- do not store latex in direct sunlight or in intense heat.
- copper and copper based metals (bronze, brass) will permanently stain lighter colored latex. wash your hands before touching your latex if you have handled copper items.
- latex may stain/discolor if it comes in contact with natural and artificial dyes in fabric, food, make up & hair.
- never iron latex.
- latex garments are not recommended for those with a latex allergy.
polishing:
in order to achieve the high-gloss finish so unique to latex garments, a silicone polish must be applied. glosscouture recommends Pjur Cult (http://www.pjurusa.com) which can be applied by hand or with a soft sponge brush. new latex will absorb polish quickly and will need several applications for the deepest shine.
cleaning:
hand-wash latex in lukewarm, soapy water after each use, rinse well
and hang to dry. dust the latex with a light covering of baby powder or
cornstarch and store in a cool, dark place. recommended cleaning agents
are baby shampoo or mild dish detergent. although it may be tempting to
store latex with polish applied, the moist nature of the polish leads
to bacterial growth over time- this is not recommended. store lighter
colored latex so that it is not in direct contact with any darker pieces
(staining will occur).