How to Care for Your Companion: A Practical Guide

The Short Version

Clean before and after every use. Dry completely before storage. Store flat, not folded. Keep out of direct sunlight. These four habits cover 90% of long-term care.

Cleaning

Use warm water and a small amount of mild, unscented liquid soap — the same thing you'd use on sensitive skin. Work across the surface with your hands, not a rough sponge. For internal areas, flush thoroughly with warm water using an irrigator or soft squeeze bottle until the water runs completely clear.

After cleaning, pat dry with a soft towel. Don't rub — sustained friction creates micro-abrasions that affect surface quality over time. Leave the companion to air-dry fully in a well-ventilated area before storage. Trapped moisture is one of the main causes of internal deterioration.

If you have a TPE companion: once dry, apply a light dusting of pure cornstarch (not talc-based baby powder) to the surface using a makeup brush. This restores the tacky-free texture and prevents stickiness. Do this every few uses.

Storage

Store flat, on a supportive surface like a bed or storage foam pad. Position with arms alongside the body and legs slightly apart — not folded. Sustained pressure in one position over time causes compression in the foam structure and stress on the joints.

Avoid direct sunlight — UV degrades both silicone and TPE over time. Keep away from radiators and heat vents. Room temperature storage is ideal. If you dress your companion for storage, use light-colored, pre-washed fabrics — dark dyes can transfer to light-colored skin under sustained pressure.

Lubricants

Use water-based lubricants only — on both silicone and TPE companions. Silicone-based lubricants chemically interact with silicone surfaces and cause gradual degradation. This is a common mistake that can permanently affect the material.

Handling

Move joints slowly and within their natural range. The skeleton is robust, but applying sudden force or pushing past a natural limit damages the joint connections. When lifting a full-size companion, support the torso and legs simultaneously — lifting by a single limb concentrates stress at the joint.

Warming

A warm bath (not hot — warm) for 15–20 minutes is the simplest warming method. An electric warming blanket at a low-medium setting also works well. Avoid boiling water, hairdryers, or high-setting heating pads — these exceed safe temperature ranges and can cause bubbling or distortion in the surface material.

When Something Goes Wrong

Minor surface tears in silicone or TPE can often be repaired with a material-specific repair kit. Clean the area, apply repair adhesive, press together, and allow to cure fully before any further use. For anything structural — joint issues, significant surface separation — contact us. Depending on the timing and nature of the issue, it may be covered under warranty.

For a comprehensive maintenance breakdown, see our full care guide.