Questions: So nervous about ruining my new suit

[Latexdoll-Lucita]

Hi - I hope someone can help me with some questions/pondering..

So I just recently invested in a new Matrix cat suit from Libidex! I’m very very happy with the fit and the quality. In the past I had 2 latex suits that I had bought from ebay - both rather shoddy quality. Now that I’ve taken the leap in getting a high quality cat suit I want to ensure that it’s well cared for.

I know I need to polish it but I haven’t been able to get any polish just yet - I know the polish makes the latex healthy ^_^ My main concern is washing it, however.. I’ve been told so many things by so many people. First I know to wash it in cool water but what soap is there to use? On my suits before I used this mild hand soap which I never noticed any ill effects from. Now though I want to get some proper soap instead of just winging it so to speak. When I wash my suit I do so now (without soap) and after I’m done I let it dry inside out - once that’s done I turn it right side out and let that dry.. IS THIS CORRECT? Also I’ve been using this talc power which I didn’t realize until tonight has “fragrance” as an ingredient? Id this a bad thing for the latex? I’ve heard the talc w/ corn starch in it is the best stuff to use but not sure if that’s true or not. I get so worried about my suit sticking together and eventually tearing -- almost feel overwhelmed! Also I know to use water based lube (least I think that’s what I’m supposed to be using) but someone has told me instead of using talc to get into a suit they actually apply lube to the inside of the suit and over their body, can anyone tell me what lube is best for this or even if this is a good idea? It’s a huge investment so I really want to take much better care of it than I had on my previous suits.

So if anyone can offer me some good advice on washing, talc and lube I’d appreciate it!

[MissFuzzyBunny]

Congratulations on your new purchase!

Washing your suit in plain water is actually the best thing you can do for your catsuit. If you feel you'd like a little extra cleaning, I would recommend baby shampoo--just a very small amount.

The drying method you describe sounds exactly right, as does powdering it inside and out. Talc powder, preferably unscented is what you want. Do not let corn starch get near your latex! It's a food item, and food, as we know, can spoil. You do not want to put something prone to rot on your beautiful Libidex catsuit.

Here is a beautifully documented tutorial on washing your latex from one of our own members and moderators. I highly recommend it! http://bettylabamba.blogspot.com/200...-garments.html

People here will recommend chlorination for getting into your latex. I've yet to take the big plunge because of the process, but there are folks around the world who can do it for you, or if you like, you can find instructions on this very site for chlorinating your garment.

I am perfectly happy with thin silicone as a dressing aid. Cult Pjur is also highly recommended, and can be used on the outside to polish your catsuit.

Enjoy!

[drgummi]

Cult/Pjur is what people ar describing when they say they use lube to get in the suit, though some also use stuff called J-Lube that turns up in pellet/powder form and you have to mix yourself. personally I don't like the effect that Cult/Pjur have in the longer term, and I can't use them here because I have wood floors.

I would slightly disagree (but only in the politest way) with MFB about washing: baby soap tends to have some scent in it and like baby talc, you can hardly be a trans-galactic alien in your rubber if you smell like a toddler's baby romper. If you find your gear sticks to itself then most likely that's residual gloop from the cleaning agent - I have some geman cleaning gloop here and that leaves the latex unscented (save a faint whiff of bleach) and less inclined to stick to itself. Perhaps a final rinse in a very DILUTE bleach solution will help?

Re drying: really you only have to fret about drying the inside (matt surface). I shake droplets out of the arms & legs and only worry about getting it fully dry if I am just about to wear it.

UNLESS!

..the colour is anything other than black. Reds and blues seem to show up water-spotting if left to dry on their own.

(NB only in the most extreme circumstances will you get the latex to tear from sticking together surface-to-surface. Skilled latex makers can actually unpeel a stuck seam without ripping the rubber: that's how strong it is)

[Latexdoll-Lucita]

Oh thanks so much - both of you! Very informative

I guess with anything alot of people have alot of different ideas on what works best. I've just heard so much stuff that it's hard to filter out the good from the bad. I'm learning though.. and happy to report my cat suit is working out wonderfully

[gaochuk]

Not everyone dislikes scent in talc on their rubber gear. Some of my earliest rubber memories are from times in the garden shed where my mother hung lavender to dry. I still associate the scent of lavender with those early exciting days, even at my age.

[Betty LaBamba]

For soap, I use mild dish washing liquid, without any degreasing agents or citrus stuff, diluted almost half. I only use soap when it's absolutely needed or when there's too much latex polish on the garment. Most of the time, running the garment under warm or hot water (not scolding or burning) and very very lightly scrubbing it with a very very soft sponge is sufficient. Over time you'll devolope your own system of latex care; just remember to use common sense--and keep the IAR bookmarked!

I don't remember the brand of talc I use. Probably bought it from Duanne Reade or Walgreens. Unscented. Easy to find. Once I bought scented talc by mistake and threw it out because I make latex garments and didn't want to risk upsetting a customer sensitive to those kinds of perfume scents.

I don't use "lube" to get into my latex, but that's more of a personal preference. (I'm probably one of the few people who have no issues with using talc as a lube.) Plus I really don't like cleaning goopy crap off the inside of a garment.

[LateXL]

Hi all

for washing i use the old Gum-?l which is now for sale at http://www.blackbody.nl/bbonline/enter.html
(see rubber maintanance) for 7.95 euro.
it gives a nice rubbery smell and desinfects as well. One bottle will last you a long time, as indeed, like Miss FB says, plain water will do most of the time. But if you have been sweating a lot, it is wise to use this blue stuff once in a while....
Greetings

LateXL