I'll be honest: I didn't read anything before I washed it. I'd owned the piece for two days, worn it once, and decided it needed a clean. I filled the sink with warm water, added a small squeeze of washing-up liquid, and dropped it in. It came out fine, technically. But I'd already made three mistakes before the water even ran.
This isn't a "wear whatever makes you happy" guide. Latex is a specific material with specific needs, and if you get the care wrong early, you'll see it — in the finish, in the fit, in how long the piece lasts. Here's what I got wrong, and what I'd do differently.
The water was too warm
Latex doesn't like heat. Not hot water, not direct sunlight, not radiators. I used warm water because it felt more thorough — it isn't. Cool or lukewarm water is all you need. Heat accelerates degradation and can cause the latex to lose its elasticity over time. At 0.30mm you'll feel it faster than at 0.45mm, but no thickness is immune.
The soap was wrong
Washing-up liquid strips the surface. What you want is a mild, pH-neutral soap — something gentle enough for skin. A small amount, well diluted, is all it takes. Anything with fragrance, alcohol, or abrasive agents will dull the finish and, over time, weaken the material. I noticed the difference in shine after just one wash with the wrong product.
I didn't dry it properly
I hung it over the bath on a metal towel rail. Two problems: metal can react with latex over prolonged contact, and I left it in a room with a south-facing window. Direct sunlight is one of the fastest ways to degrade latex — UV breaks down the material at a molecular level. A cool, dark room with good airflow is what you're after. Lay it flat or hang it on a smooth plastic or wooden hanger away from any heat source.
What I do now
Cool water. A small amount of mild soap. Rinse thoroughly — residue left on the surface will affect the finish. Pat dry with a soft cloth, never rub. Then hang or lay flat in a dark, ventilated space until fully dry before storing or polishing.
It takes about five minutes. The piece I nearly ruined in week one is still in rotation two years later. The care is genuinely low-fuss once you know what you're actually doing — it just isn't instinctive the first time.
Written by the Form Latex team — bespoke latex clothing handmade in the UK