How to Properly Clean Your Nipple Covers (and How to Know It’s Time to Replace Them)
The nipple covers we like (and the ones we tend to recommend) are reusable because nobody wants to buy a new pair every time you wear something backless, sheer, or otherwise tricky to pair with a regular bra. Between body oil, sweat, lint, and whatever else manages to find its way onto the adhesive, though, nipple covers can start losing their stickiness over time. In other words: If yours aren’t staying put like they used to, they may just need a bath.
But part of the reason they lose their stickiness is simply because they aren’t being cleaned often enough. And we hate to break it to you (we know, another thing to wash), tossing them straight back into the case and hoping for the best isn’t doing the adhesive any favors. Most reusable pairs can be cleaned with a little soap and water, but the way you wash and dry them matters. Thankfully, cleaning them doesn’t take much once you know what works.
So, how do you clean nipple covers without shortening their lifespan? Ahead, we’re breaking down how to wash and dry them properly, plus what to avoid if you want to get as many wears as possible out of each pair.
Meet the Expert
Martha Upton is the founder of Tita, a brand creating reusable silicone nipple covers that can be worn discreetly or shown off. She started the company after realizing the reusable market was largely limited to what she describes as a “simple nude circle.”
How to Wash Nipple Covers
When it’s time to wash your nipple covers, you really don’t need much. “The biggest thing is to be gentle!” Upton says. Start with warm water and a small amount of mild soap, then use your fingertips to clean the adhesive side. Whatever you do, skip the washcloth, sponge, or anything rough enough to scrape at the sticky surface.
Upton recommends avoiding anything with oils, moisturizers, or harsh ingredients because they can leave residue behind. “You definitely don’t need to use alcohol or any heavy-duty cleaner,” she adds. “Simpler is better here.”
As for frequency, one to every few wears is a good rule to follow. Your skin naturally leaves behind oil, and sweat, lotion, and body products can end up on the adhesive as well. Washing helps clear all of that off so the covers are ready to stick again the next time you wear them.
How to Dry Them Properly
After rinsing away the soap, place the nipple covers adhesive-side up and let them air dry. Upton recommends leaving them alone until they’re completely dry before putting the protective film back on.
There’s no need to wipe the sticky side with a towel (which can leave lint behind anyway). Air drying gives the adhesive a chance to dry without adding anything else to the surface.
How to Store Nipple Covers Between Wears
The protective film they came with? Don’t throw it out. “That’s probably the easiest thing you can do to extend their life,” Upton says. Once the covers are dry, place the film back over the adhesive before putting them away.
From there, keep them somewhere clean and dry, ideally in their original packaging or a small case or pouch. Leaving the adhesive uncovered on the bathroom counter, as Upton puts it, is “basically an invitation for every piece of lint and hair in the room to find it!” (And sticky silicone is very good at collecting every bit of it.)
When to Replace Your Nipple Covers
Reusable nipple covers aren’t meant to last forever, so eventually the adhesive will stop working as well as it did when they were new. A good sign is when they no longer stay securely on your skin after being washed and dried properly. You might even notice the edges lifting sooner than they used to, or the covers slipping out of place altogether.
“Reusable doesn’t mean forever,” Upton notes, stressing that how long a pair lasts depends quite a bit on how you wear and care for it. Tita’s nipple covers, for example, are designed to be worn up to 20 times, though she adds that taking care of the adhesive between wears is “a huge part of getting the most life out of them.”
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