What is Chlorinated Latex?

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If you’ve ever purchased a latex product before, you might have encountered the word “chlorinated” being used to describe it. However, these manufacturers of “chlorinated” products rarely take the time to define the term or explain how it changes the nature of the latex they are selling. Instead, they leave the average rubber fan scratching their head, wondering what that sexy catsuit they’ve been eying has to do with swimming pools or Tide products.

If you have ever been one of those confused customers, never fear! Laidtex is here to provide you with a simple yet thorough definition of chlorinated latex as well as introducing the advantages and drawbacks which this unique process provides.

Defining ""Chlorinated""

As the name suggests, chlorinated latex is latex which has been treated with the chemical chlorine (in either liquid or gas form) or occasionally a chlorine-based solution such as bleach. Many industrial and medical products made from latex, particularly gloves, undergo the chlorination process. However, its use in consumer clothing is more recent – currently, only a small portion of the outfits sold to latex fans have been treated with chlorine.

When it comes in contact with latex, chlorine sets off a chemical reaction which causes the surface of the material to harden. The resulting chlorinated latex experiences less friction when it rubs against other surfaces, such as human skin or itself. This is mostly observed in the form of the latex losing most of its trademark “stickiness” and instead becoming more “slippery,” and able to slide over a variety of surfaces. It will also usually feel smoother to the touch when compared with non-chlorinated latex.

Most chlorinated latex outfits are treated shortly after they are made, before they have been sold to any customer. However, a piece of latex clothing can be successfully chlorinated at any time during its lifespan. This means that if you wish to have a garment chlorinated which you have owned and worn for several years, you can do so!

If you wish to have a pre-owned garment chlorinated, we recommend seeking out a professional who has experience with the process. Some do-it-yourself instructions for performing chlorination at home can be found on the Internet. However, if you plan on following these steps and trying it out yourself, be EXTREMELY CAREFUL at all times and do NOT deviate from the provided instructions.  Inhaling chlorine fumes for too long can be extremely dangerous, as it can cause harmful side effects such as choking, dizziness, and nausea.

Benefits of Chlorinated Latex

The primary reason to chlorinate a latex outfit is to make it easier to put on and take off. Chlorinated latex will usually not stick to human skin or itself, meaning that it can be worn with minimal or no assistance from talcum powder or liquid silicone lubricant.

Yes, you heard us right. Those painful moments when your favorite enclosure suit or sexy body-hugging dress sticks to your sweaty skin, leaving you pushing and shifting and shimmying for minutes on end as you try to get undressed, can be completely gone! Your latex will no longer stick to other latex, so you can hang your favorite coordinated outfit all on one hanger! You can even sit cross-legged in your favorite pair of latex pants without having to worry about your legs ending up practically fused together!

In addition, chlorinated latex will no longer stick to other fabrics such as cotton or wool, meaning that you can safely layer your latex garments with clothes made from other materials. You can finally create that ensemble you dreamed of by pairing a snug wool sweater with a sexy latex miniskirt or wearing a dashing trenchcoat and hat on top of a catsuit.

Chlorination will even slightly increase the latex’s resistance stains caused by various oils, so you may even find yourself able to safely layer with leather garments without risking the quality of the latex. However, the process does NOT give latex resistance to damage caused by metals such as copper, brass, or bronze, so you should still avoid pairing latex with anything containing them – such as buttons, snaps, zippers or belt buckles.

Drawbacks of Chlorinated Latex

Reading the above paragraphs, chlorinated latex may seem too good to be true. Easier to wear, with more options for fashionable mix-and-matching, and the ability to store your latex with the rest of your clothing – what reasons could their possibly be not to have your every outfit chlorinated?

The first potential drawback is price. Pre-chlorinated latex pieces are usually somewhat more expensive than their non-chlorinated counterparts. In addition, having a pre-owned piece chlorinated by a professional will likely also cost a significant amount of money. While carrying out the chlorination process yourself might be cheaper in the long run, it still requires the purchase of costly chemicals, not to mention the associated health risks which are often not worth the money saved.

Secondly, while the chlorination process removes some of latex’s more negative qualities, it also gets rid of many of the very properties which make rubberists around the world love latex so much. For example, chlorinated latex will take on the unmistakable odor of, of course, chlorine. Your garment will possess that strong and pungent scent which you are probably familiar with from indoor swimming pools or the insides of laundromats. Well, I don’t mind the smell of chlorine – what’s so bad about that? you might ask. Quite a lot, as it turns out!

In the process of coming to smell like chlorine, your garment will lose the sharp, clean, and well, “rubbery” aroma unique to latex. This special scent is part of what makes latex-encased sexual experiences so intense, as it helps them become a true treat for the five senses. Is there anything more exquisite than the smell of latex mixed with the musk of human sweat and arousal? We sure don’t think so – and we bet you don’t either! For some rubberists, even catching a whiff of latex is enough to turn them on and get them ready to play, and, once your suit is chlorinated, unless you also have an attraction to swimming pools, you’ll never get to experience that again.

Scent isn't the only property which latex clothing can lose during the chlorination process. As the surface will be smoother and less sticky, it will no longer make a distinctive ""squeak"" song when it rubs against itself. This can entirely remove the unique auditory experience of rubber-encased sexual play.

If you include in the change in texture, that's one...two....THREE senses which will no longer be engaged in quite the same way. That's definitely a far cry from the ""banquet for the senses"" we described in our first ever article about the joys of latex fetishism.

So what conclusion can be drawn from the information we've presented you about chlorination? The answer is this: there are both significant benefits and significant downsides to purchasing a chlorinated outfit or treating one of your existing ensembles. We can't make the decision for you - you need to decide for yourself (or with the help of your partner) if chlorination is right for you.

You should think long and hard before deciding whether or not to purchase a chlorinated latex outfit. However, if you think that you might like chlorination and want to try it out, we recommend purchasing a pre-chlorinated piece rather than having an existing outfit treated. This way, if you find that you don't like the smell, sound or feel of chlorinated latex after all, you won't have permanently ruined anything that you already enjoy wearing.

If you're interested in purchasing a chlorinated piece or ensemble, head over to our product catalog here. And, as always, if you have any questions about chlorination or any other latex-related topics, feel free to contact our friendly, helpful Laidtex staffers at any time!