Cleaning & Storing Your Devices

A little routine care goes a long way. Cleaning and storing your devices properly between uses isn't complicated, but it makes a real difference in how long a product lasts and how pleasant it is to use. This guide walks through the general habits that apply to most body-safe silicone and ABS plastic devices — no clickbait, no shame, just useful information you can put into practice tonight.

Why Cleaning After Every Use Matters

Cleaning a device after every use matters for two simple reasons: hygiene and longevity. Residue left on a surface — whether it's from the product itself, skin contact, or a lubricant — doesn't just sit there quietly. Left uncleaned, it can attract dust, harbor bacteria, or, over repeated cycles, subtly affect the feel and finish of the material. A quick clean after each use keeps the surface in the condition it was designed to be in, and it takes the guesswork out of "is this actually ready to use again?"

Longevity is the other half of the equation. Body-safe materials like silicone and ABS plastic are chosen because they hold up well over time, but that durability still depends on how they're treated. A device that's cleaned, dried, and stored thoughtfully after every use will generally look and perform better years down the line than one that's left out, tossed in a drawer, or cleaned only occasionally.

General Cleaning Guidance

For most non-porous device materials, the generic standard is refreshingly simple: mild soap and warm water. A gentle, fragrance-free soap worked into a lather on the surface, rinsed thoroughly, is enough for routine cleaning of most silicone and ABS plastic devices. A dedicated toy cleaner made for this purpose is also a fine option if you prefer a product built specifically for the job.

• Keep it gentle. Mild soap and warm water, or a dedicated cleaner, is the general standard — there's rarely a need for anything stronger.
• Skip alcohol-based or harsh solvent cleaners. These can degrade silicone over time, causing it to become tacky, cloudy, or brittle with repeated exposure, so it's best to avoid them as a routine cleaning method.
• Mind electronic components. If a device isn't rated as fully waterproof, don't submerge it. Wipe down the exterior instead, keeping moisture away from any seams, buttons, or charging contacts.
• Rinse thoroughly. Any soap residue left behind can attract dust or feel unpleasant on next use, so a good rinse (where the device allows it) is worth the extra few seconds.

Drying Fully Before You Put Anything Away

Once cleaning is done, resist the urge to put a device straight into storage. Pat it dry with a clean, lint-free towel, then let it air dry completely before it goes into a pouch, box, or drawer. Storing anything while it's still damp — even slightly — creates an environment where moisture has nowhere to go, which isn't ideal for the material or for anything it might be stored near. A few extra minutes of air-drying time is a small habit with an outsized payoff.

Good Storage Habits

Where and how a device is stored between uses matters almost as much as how it's cleaned. A few general habits help protect both the device and its materials over time:

• Use a dedicated pouch or box. A soft storage pouch or a small dedicated box keeps dust and lint off the surface and gives the device its own protected space.
• Keep it out of direct sunlight and extreme heat. Prolonged sun exposure or heat (like a car glovebox in summer) can affect the material's texture and finish over time. A cool, dry, out-of-the-way spot is generally best.
• Store different materials separately. When two devices made of different materials touch for extended periods — sitting in the same pouch, for instance — some material combinations can react with one another and degrade faster than they would on their own. Giving each device its own compartment or pouch avoids this entirely.

Battery and Charging Care

For rechargeable devices, basic battery care is really just general electronics best practice applied here. Charge the device when it needs it, and unplug it once it's full rather than leaving it connected to power indefinitely. Leaving any rechargeable electronic device on a charger long after it's finished charging isn't ideal for battery health over the long run, and the same principle applies to wellness devices as it does to phones, headphones, or any other rechargeable gadget. Storing a device with at least some charge in the battery, rather than fully depleted, is also a generally sound habit for longer-term storage.

Always Check the Manufacturer's Instructions

Everything above reflects general, non-clinical product-care information — useful starting points, not universal rules. Materials, waterproof ratings, and charging specifications vary from device to device, so the instructions that came with your specific product should always take priority over general guidance like this. If you've misplaced them, a manufacturer's product page or customer support line is typically the fastest way to confirm the details for your exact device.

Treat cleaning and storage as a habit rather than an afterthought, and most body-safe devices will reward that small bit of consistency with a much longer, more reliable life.

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