HOW I WASH MY SILICONE MERMAID TAILS
I currently own 8 silicone mermaid tails from 4 different tailmakers, and I use them all pretty frequently… so I’ve done a lot of mermaid tail cleaning over the past couple of years! So how do you clean a silicone mermaid tail? Well, it will depend how you use your tail.
This tutorial is intended for those of you who have taken your silicone mermaid tail into freshwater or salt water and for those of you who have used your silicone mermaid tail for a dry-land mermaid gig. If you swim in chlorinated pools, you’ll want to give your tail a baking soda bath to neutralize the effects of cholerine after following this tutorial.
You’ll want to rinse your silicone mermaid tail with clean, cool freshwater as soon as possible after using it. I typically wash my mermaid tail as soon as I come home from working a professional mermaid gig (yes, even before giving myself a shower). I find that if I wait until after I clean myself up, sometimes the post-event tiredness kicks in and I don’t feel like doing anything but sitting on the couch. Cleaning your silicone mermaid tail as soon as you come home will ensure that the tail doesn’t sit too long and will ensure that you don’t keep putting it off until later. Even if you don’t swim in your tail, the lubricants used to get into your silicone mermaid tail do add moisture, which can create a breeding ground for mold and bacteria… so clean your tail ASAP! Your tail will thank you for it. :)
Even if you are planning to use your tail the next day, I would still recommend giving it a good bath before going to bed. Why? First, it’s a good habit to get into. Second, it will help keep your tail from getting stinky. And last, because it’s better for the environment (specifically if you swim in natural bodies of water). In general, if you swim in natural bodies of water and plan to swim in a different natural body of water the next day (or same day) you should clean and dry your gear thoroughly to prevent the spread of aquatic hitchhikers like zebra mussels, quagga mussels and invasive or harmful aquatic creatures and plants. Simply put, it is the hygienic thing to do!
DRYING YOUR SILICONE MERMAID TAIL
Cleaning your silicone mermaid tail is only part of the battle. Once your tail has been cleaned, you’ll need to make sure to dry it completely on the outside and inside. I won’t go into too much detail here, since it is a lot to explain, but this (very old) video explains it well and should help you out!
Thanks for taking good care of your tail! :)