Latex clothing is one of the few apparel materials that can take even the most basic outfit and elevate it to a work of art. The high gloss look, smoothness, and form-fitting nature of latex give it a futuristic, bold, and sensual appeal that fabric cannot replicate. But while the look of latex can be stunning, it is notoriously delicate as well.
Owning latex is not simply wearing; it is care and maintenance to keep it looking just as incredible for years to come.
Many latex enthusiasts have learned the hard way that improper storage can quickly take a perfect piece to dull, sticky, or even develop some built-up tears.
Latex is not cotton or denim. It reacts to light, it reacts to heat, it even reacts to certain combinations of fabrics and metal. How to store it is important if you want to maintain that cringe-worthy shine and supple flexibility.
The best way to think of latex storage is to treat it like a living organism. Just like skin requires protection from the sun, latex requires protection from raw light. Just like certain cosmetics can damage your skin, there are certain materials that can damage latex.
Proper storage practices will not only keep your clothing looking brand new, but they will also eliminate the frustration and expense of replacing damaged pieces.
Protecting Latex From Light, Heat, and Humidity
The first and foremost rule is to keep latex out of direct sunlight. Even a few hours of UV exposure can cause your latex wardrobe to discolour or lose its elasticity.
Keep your latex in a dark place, preferably in a garment bag that blocks all light. Most people use breathable cotton garment bags, but while this is fine for clothing, cotton fibres can leave marks and adhere to latex. It is best to use a black plastic garment bag or a special latex storage bag that keeps out dust, moisture, and UV rays.
Temperature is another factor that can greatly affect the lifespan of your latex wardrobe. Too much heat can cause the latex to soften or stick, while too much cold can make it brittle.
A climate-controlled space is ideal, around 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The worst places to choose to store it would be in attics, garages, and basements, with their temperature swings and humidity.
Humidity itself is an underrated enemy.
Latex does not tolerate moisture. In a damp space, even if you could not see it, mildew could grow, or the latex could develop stickiness on the surface. An affordable dehumidifier can be a great decision if you live in a humid area. Excess moisture can be easily removed with just a couple of packets of silica gel (as found in shoe boxes) inside your garment bag if wrinkling is a disaster.
Hanging, Folding, and Protecting Latex Clothing
Hanging or folding, then. Hanging may generally be better for latex dresses, bodysuits, and coats; folding does leave creases that can be notoriously hard to remove without heat, and use of heat on latex is…well, hard to recommend.
When hanging store latex garments, use wide, padded hangers to spread out the weight so that there is no stretching at the shoulders. Many thin hangers will dig into the latex, resulting in impressions. Folding is fine for smaller latex garments, like skirts, shorts, or lingerie. Remember, if you use folding, always put acid-free tissue paper between the folds to prevent surfaces from sticking together.
Latex loves to cling, probably too much. A freshly cleaned latex garment should always be dusted lightly with talcum powder or cornstarch before storing.
This prevents the latex from sticking to itself, especially in warm conditions. Another option is to use a silicone-based shiner or dressing aid, which adds a slick coating over the surface. Just don’t overdo it; excessive oil can degrade the latex clothing over a longer time period.
One of the most common mistakes people make is storing latex items with metal accessories like chains, zippers, or buckles that come in direct contact with the fabric. The metals found in metals used in latched latex, such as copper and brass, can permanently stain latex. If your piece has a metal component, ensure to provide a barrier for it, with either a soft cloth or acid-free tissue, before it goes into long-term storage.
Long-Term Storage, Maintenance, and Travel
Most storage problems can be attributed to the result of latex colors’ assigned color, light colors (especially white and pastel), and yellow, which are more easily affected. Also, generally avoid storing different colors together if possible (e.g., white skirt pressed against black catsuit). Although the concept of color transfer may not amount to much, surfaces like latex do not recover from a transfer injury.
To avoid this consideration, you should keep light and dark items completely separate from each other and use separate garment bags when possible. If any of your latex wardrobe is worn regularly, it is helpful to check each piece every month or two.
Even in ideal storage environments, latex will deteriorate very slowly over time. A quick surface check for any shifting of the surface, any tackiness, or any fading will allow you to nip issues in the bud before they become permanent failure or further degradation.
For longer-term storage — say you plan to not put latex on for a couple of months — be sure to wash your latex before storing it. Ideally, latex is never stored with any body oils, sweat, or residue from makeup, as these can damage latex.
You will need to wash the latex item in lukewarm water with a good latex-safe cleaner, rinse the item, and dry it completely. It is crucial to ensure that the garment is bone dry before putting it in storage for any period, because even a light amount of moisture can be very problematic.
Traveling with latex does throw another wrench into the mix. If you do encounter the scenario where you have to transport your latex pieces, consider rolling them carefully in acid-free tissue paper and putting them in a rigid garment tube so that you can prevent creases, or even worse, destruction. You should never leave latex in a hot car or leave it in luggage that is being stored in direct sunlight.
An additional trick that seasoned latex enthusiasts swear by is to have an exclusive storage area specifically reserved for latex.
This not only aids in organization, but also will help ensure that your latex is not stored next to materials that may harm the latex, for example: leather that is treated with oils, wool, or certain plastics that may leach chemicals on them over extended periods of time.
Lastly, remember to think of storage as part of the care regime of latex. It is not enough to just clean before and after the latex is worn: the proper storage of your latex is what is going to ensure that every time you pull out your favorite piece of latex, that piece looks and feels like it is meant to look and feel — sleek, shiny, and able to garner attention. A latex catsuit or dress is enough of an investment, financially and aesthetically, that the right storage habits will allow for that investment to last for years without suffering any loss to its lingerie-like charm.
When it comes down to it, the best way to store latex clothing is to remember the respect that latex has as a material.
Avoid constant exposure to sunlight, heat, cool temperatures, and humidity. Avoid dust, metals, and color transfer from other clothes. Use the right hangers, garment bags, and protective dusting powders as necessary. And finally, the most important tip, which goes back to the first point, treat it as the treasure it is — in a world full of fashion, latex is a rare treasure, and treasure deserves to be kept. If you reasonably keep your latex wardrobe, it can give you that unforgettable wow factor every time you wear it.
