Latex Care Guide

Your piece is handmade from natural rubber latex and deserves a little special care. Correct washing, drying and storage will help preserve its color, shine, flexibility and finish for as long as possible.

Quick Care Guide

After wearing:

Hand-wash in lukewarm water with a small amount of mild, fragrance-free soap.
Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Allow the piece to air-dry completely on both sides.
Apply a latex-safe silicone polish or lightly dust the latex with unscented talcum powder.
Place the piece loosely inside the plastic storage bag supplied with your order.
Store the bag in a cool, dry and dark place, away from direct sunlight and heat.

Never store latex while it is damp or untreated. Do not fold or compress the piece tightly.

Before the First Wear

Your latex mask will arrive lightly coated in white talcum powder for protection during storage and shipping. This is normal for latex items and is not dirt or dust. We recommend gently washing your latex before wearing it for the first time. This removes the powder and prepares the surface for polishing.

Inspect the latex, seams, fastenings and hardware before every use. Do not use the product if you notice significant damage or weakened components.

How to Wash Your Latex

Always wash latex by hand.

Fill a clean basin with lukewarm water and add a small amount of mild, fragrance-free soap. Gently move the product through the water and carefully clean both the inside and outside using your hands.

Pay particular attention to areas that have been in contact with skin, makeup, perspiration or bodily fluids.

Rinse thoroughly with clean, lukewarm water until no soap residue remains.

Do not:

Machine-wash or dry-clean
Use a tumble dryer
Scrub the latex with a brush or rough cloth
Wring, twist or stretch the product
Use hot or boiling water
Use bleach, alcohol, disinfectant, solvents or household cleaners

If you wish to use a specialist latex cleaner, always follow its instructions and test it on a discreet area first.

Drying Your Latex

Gently shake off excess water and place the product on a clean, soft towel. Pat it carefully without rubbing, then leave it to air-dry.

Make sure that both the inside and outside are completely dry before polishing or storing the product. Turn or reposition it as necessary so that water cannot remain trapped beneath folds, straps or hardware.

Keep drying latex away from:

Direct sunlight
Radiators and heaters
Hair dryers
Open flames
Other sources of heat

Polishing and Maintaining the Shine

Untreated latex naturally has a matte appearance. For a glossy finish, use a silicone-based polish made specifically for latex clothing.

Apply a small amount with clean hands or a soft, lint-free cloth and distribute it evenly across the surface. More product does not necessarily create more shine. A thin, even layer is usually enough.

Avoid allowing polish to build up around seams, fastenings or breathing openings.

Do not use:

Other oils or oil-based lubricants
Petroleum jelly
Greasy creams or lotions
Furniture polish
Automotive products
Household silicone sprays
Products that are not specifically suitable for natural rubber latex

Some silicone lubricants may be compatible with latex, but formulations vary. If a product is not clearly labelled as suitable for natural rubber latex, do not use it.

Please be aware that freshly polished latex can be slippery. Take care when handling the product and avoid transferring polish onto floors, furniture or other surfaces.

Putting On and Removing Your Piece

Remove sharp jewellery before handling or wearing latex. Fingernails, rings, bracelets and other hard or pointed objects can puncture or scratch the material.

Use the flat surface of your fingers rather than pulling with your fingernails. Avoid applying excessive force to edges, straps, eyelets, seams or decorative elements.

Do not pull the product into position using only one strap, buckle or small section of latex. Distribute pressure across a larger area whenever possible.

Makeup, perfume, hairspray, body lotion, fake tan and skincare products should be applied before dressing and allowed to dry completely. Some cosmetics can stain, discolor or weaken latex.

Storage

Store your latex only when it is completely clean and dry.

Place it loosely inside the supplied storage bag or another clean, opaque bag. Keep it in a cool, dry and dark place, away from sunlight, heat and moisture.

For longer storage:

Avoid tight folds or pressure from heavy objects.
Do not leave buckles or hardware pressing into the latex.
Place soft, colorless tissue between hardware and the latex if necessary.
Keep different colors separated.
Store light-colored and transparent latex especially carefully.
Check the product occasionally for trapped moisture or unwanted creasing.

Do not store latex in direct contact with printed paper, colored tissue paper, cardboard ink, dyed fabrics or unknown plastics, as colors and chemicals may transfer to the surface.

Some customers use a small amount of unscented, latex-compatible powder for long-term storage. If you choose to do so, use it sparingly and ensure that it contains no fragrances, oils or other additives. The product will need to be washed before polishing again.

Materials to Keep Away from Latex

Natural rubber latex can be permanently damaged, weakened or discolored by contact with certain substances and materials.

Keep your latex away from:

Oils, grease and petroleum-based products
Solvents and adhesives not intended for latex
Alcohol and alcohol-based cleaners
Bleach and strong disinfectants
Perfume, deodorant and hairspray
Makeup, fake tan and strongly pigmented cosmetics
Copper, brass and bronze
Rust and non-stainless metal
Cigarette smoke and open flames
Ozone-producing devices
Direct sunlight and ultraviolet light
Excessive heat
Sharp or rough objects

Short contact does not always cause visible damage immediately. Clean the affected area as soon as possible using lukewarm water and mild soap.

Color Transfer and Discoloration

Latex is susceptible to staining. Dark and strongly colored latex can permanently transfer pigment to lighter, white or transparent latex. Always store contrasting colors separately unless they are permanently joined as part of the original design.

Light-colored and transparent latex may also be affected by:

Sunlight
Certain cosmetics
Dyed fabrics
Colored storage materials
Metal contact
Smoke
Heat
Ageing

Once latex has been stained or chemically discolored, it may not be possible to restore its original color.

Subtle changes in shade, surface or shine can occur naturally over time. These changes are part of the ageing process of natural rubber and do not necessarily affect the function of the product.

Stainless-Steel Hardware

Our stainless-steel hardware can be cleaned together with the latex using lukewarm water and mild soap.

Rinse away all soap residue and dry the metal carefully, particularly around eyelets, buckles, rings and areas where water may collect.

Do not use metal polish, abrasive sponges or harsh chemical cleaners while the hardware is attached to the latex. These products may damage the surrounding material even if they are suitable for the metal itself.

Stainless steel is corrosion-resistant, but it is not entirely maintenance-free. Salt, perspiration, chemicals and prolonged moisture should be avoided.

After Contact with Salt Water or Chlorinated Water

We recommend avoiding prolonged exposure to swimming pools, hot tubs and salt water.

If your latex comes into contact with chlorinated or salt water, rinse it thoroughly with clean, lukewarm water as soon as possible. Wash it gently, dry it completely and inspect the material and hardware before storing it.

Do not leave wet latex in a bag after use.

Removing Odours

Regular washing and complete drying are the best ways to prevent unwanted odours.

If an odour remains, wash the product again using a small amount of mild, fragrance-free soap and allow it to dry fully in a well-ventilated place away from sunlight.

Do not attempt to mask odours with perfume, deodorant, essential oils or fragranced sprays. These products may damage the latex and can become trapped against the skin.

Creases and Temporary Marks

Light creases caused by storage may relax naturally once the latex has returned to room temperature and is worn or laid flat.

Do not iron, heat or stretch the material in an attempt to remove a crease. Persistent folds caused by incorrect storage may become permanent.

Temporary cloudy or pale areas can sometimes result from moisture, soap residue or storage products. Gently washing and polishing the surface may improve their appearance. Chemical staining or oxidation, however, is usually permanent.

Repairs

Do not use household glue, superglue, tape, tyre repair products or general-purpose rubber adhesive on your piece.

Latex repairs require suitable materials, careful surface preparation and an adhesive intended for natural rubber latex. An unsuitable repair can weaken the surrounding material and make professional repair more difficult.

If your product is damaged, stop using it and contact us for advice.

We will let you know whether a repair may be possible and how to do it yourself.

Natural Ageing and Product Lifespan

Natural rubber latex is not an indestructible or permanent material. Its lifespan depends on use, care, storage conditions, color, thickness and exposure to heat, light, chemicals and body products.

Over time, latex may gradually:

Lose some of its shine
Change color
Become less elastic
Develop surface marks
Become brittle or sticky

Correct care can slow this process but cannot prevent natural ageing entirely.

Stop using the product if the latex becomes brittle, sticky, cracked, significantly stretched or otherwise weakened.

Need Help?

If you are unsure whether a cleaning or care product is suitable, please contact us before using it. Sending us the complete product name, ingredient list and a link or photograph will help us assess it.

For questions about caring for your piece or repair, contact us at:

Contact Form