How to clean latex clothing

There’s no better feeling for a latex or rubber fetishist or kinkster than sliding into some smooth, tight rubber. But, after enjoying it for some time, it eventually comes time to take it off. This is where one of the worst parts of being into latex and rubber comes into play. When you remove the rubber, you’re all sweaty, and so is your rubber. 

Unless you want to damage your expensive garments and let bacteria grow, you’ll need to clean it properly before putting it away.

But how exactly do you clean latex clothing? In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the process of cleaning your latex garment.

First, my expertise

First, why should you trust what you’re about to read? I’ve owned rubber clothing since 2021, and I’ve learned much about how to care for it properly in the last three years. I’ve yet to have any latex degrade, discolor, or become brittle in that time (just suits come apart at the seams from stress). 

While I’ve previously touched on caring for latex on this blog before, this guide will be in more detail.

I’ll be speaking from my experience and the knowledge I’ve gathered from others over the years.

Materials

Now, let’s discuss what you need to clean your latex/rubber clothing. Having the right products will make a huge difference, as harsh products can damage the rubber.

The first one is pretty obvious: water. However, it’s more complicated than just filling a tub or the sink with hot water. The warmer the water, the bigger the chance of your latex separating at the seams. So, you’ll want to use lukewarm water. If your latex clothes doesn’t have any seams, like molded gloves, you’ll be able to use hotter water.

Next, let’s talk about soap. You want to use a soap that isn’t too harsh on your latex. Most kinksters recommend using dish soap, which is also what I personally use. I use the dish soap my family normally uses, but ideally, you’ll want to use neutral pH soap or unscented dish soap. You can also buy cleaners made specifically for rubber clothing, like Viviclean.

Soaps you can use on latex:

  • Viviclean
  • Dishwashing soap without perfume, colorants, or artificial additives

You may also want to use a microfiber cloth that’s latex-safe and a large bowl or plastic storage bin for washing. I often use my bathtub or bathroom sink depending on the size of the item as long as I clean the area first.

How to wash rubber clothes

First, you’ll want to fill up your bin, bathtub, or sink with lukewarm water. Mix in the latex-safe soap of your choice. Now, add your latex clothing items. Rub the garments gently or use a microfiber cloth. 

Explaining the basics of soap is beyond the scope of this article, but you want to ensure you’re washing it long enough to trap any bacteria in the soap while cutting through the layer of latex polish or talc that is likely already on your outfit.

Now, you’ll rinse the rubber, making sure to get all of the soap suds. At this point, the rubber should start to stick together. Your latex is completely clean. As an aside, some kinksters say they clean their rubber in a washing machine. I've personally never tried it.

However, if you stopped there, you’d probably ruin your latex from it sticking together. That brings us to the next step.

Polish your latex

At this point, I refill the bin, bathtub, or sink with lukewarm clean water again. I then add some Vivishine to the water, which is my latex polish of choice. You can use other brands of latex polish as well, such as BeGloss. 

After submerging the rubber in the polish and water mix, I gently rub the garments until the polish has reached every surface. You want to be sure no parts are sticking together before you remove them. Your latex should now have a beautiful shine.

If you have chlorinated latex, you can skip this step, as your rubber won’t need any polish or shiner.

Some people prefer to storage their latex in talcum powder instead of using a polish. However, I've never used it, so I can't speak to the proper ways to clean latex so that it can be powdered for storage.

Hang to dry

Finally, you’ll want to hang your latex to let it dry. Storing wet rubber is a great way to grow mold! Or, so I’m told. Some kinksters towel dry their latex, but I prefer to let mine hang until fully dry. If you live in an area with hard water, you may want to gently pat your latex dry slightly to avoid any mineral build-up. That said, when I lived in an area with hard water, I never did this and didn’t have an issue, but I’ve heard of others having their catsuits permanently stained!

I use plastic hangers, as I worry my natural wood ones will somehow splinter and hurt the rubber. Probably not realistic, but I still avoid them. 

I usually flip my latex inside out once the outside has dried completely.

Once dry, you’ll want to store it somewhere cool, dry, and away from sunlight. A closet or wardrobe is perfect. 

Conclusion

Proper latex care involves giving your rubber garments a thorough cleaning after each use. This will keep your rubber in great condition for years to come.

Other guides

What is a latex fetish?

How to clean latex clothing

Latex and Rubber Fetish Glossary

Rubber/Latex Clothing Vendors List