We’re going to be covering how to care for silicone sex dolls – from cleaning to removing odors. Keep reading to learn more!
First, we need to understand silicone and what factors can affect the lifespan. The key factors are: temperature, humidity, light exposure, oxidation, mechanical stress, and a few less common ones we’ll cover below:
· Temperature: Higher temperatures can accelerate deterioration, so you’ll want to avoid storing your doll anywhere over 85° F (29° C).
· Humidity: Silicone tends to absorb moisture from the air, and high humidity can lead to oil leaching, especially when combined with high temperatures. When oil leaches out, it causes the silicone to dry out and crack.
· Light: UV light, such as sunlight, has enough energy to cause a photochemical reaction. Similar to human skin, light will speed up aging, so it’s best to avoid any prolonged periods in direct sunlight.
· Oxidation: When silicone is exposed to air for long periods, it can lead to breakdowns within the molecular chains that hold everything together. To avoid this, it’s important to [anchor:”powder your doll” – link to powdering article] because this acts as a protective layer. Some manufacturers apply an anti-oxidation coating during production, but even with this, you still need to properly powder your doll.
· Mechanical Stress: Prolonged stretching or pulling of the silicone can cause physical breakage – this could be external where you’d see a crack, or internal. This is why it’s important to make sure to return your doll to their neutral position during storage.
· Other Factors: Radiation and certain chemicals can degrade silicone. You’ll want to avoid sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), potassium hydroxide, acids from soldering paste, and most organic acids.
Now that we know what affects silicone, we can take steps to avoid these problems. Practically, this means returning the doll to their neutral, factory position, powdering the doll, and storing them in a dry, cool, dark environment.
Cleaning Silicone
First off, what makes silicone dirty? Primarily, it’s the silicone oil, which attracts dust and bacteria. Conveniently, this can be cleaned using either a doll-specific cleanser or a silicone-based shampoo.
The principle is that the surfactants reduce the surface tension between the water and oil, allowing any debris to be washed away. When choosing a cleanser, make sure to check the ingredients to ensure it contains silicone oil.
You may wonder how factories clean their silicone – they use an ultrasonic cleaning machine. These are efficient, cost effective, and provide the best results, while reducing oil leaching.
Cleaning Downstairs
For cleaning the vaginal (anal, or oral) cavities, you can use feminine hygiene products, such as Vagisil. While these aren’t recommended for daily use for humans, it’s perfectly fine for dolls because they don’t have an internal microbial system to disrupt.
You may also find a douche with a diluted cleanser helpful. Personally, I find that using a bottle brush is the easiest, but do what’s easiest for you. A long-neck watering can is also an inexpensive way to make sure you’re getting a thorough cleanse.
Once everything is clean, you’ll need to allow for the inside to dry. Some people use an aquarium pump for this, but a tampon is also great for absorbing excess water.
Powdering Your Doll
After your doll is clean, you’ll want to apply powder. As we covered earlier, this acts as a protective barrier for the silicone. When choosing which powder to use, you’ll want to be cautious. Some counterfeit products contain talcum mixed with asbestos or other carcinogenic chemicals.
The best option is a body powder that includes antibacterial properties. Because your doll, unlike a human, is stationary for long periods, this will help minimize any potential microbial germs from growing in/on your doll.
It’s recommended to avoid wheat or cornstarch. With sufficient temperatures and humidity, this can easily become a breeding ground for bacteria, and they’ll proliferate rapidly. This can cause black spots to form, and effectively renders your doll unsafe to use.
Dressing Your Partner
The very nature of silicone can make dressing your doll a bit tricky. The smooth surface, combined with the softness and static electricity can cause the fabric to cling to the silicone, increasing the friction.
So how can you make dressing easier? Simple – powder! Apply plenty of the antibacterial body powder, then you can apply stockings to help the clothes slip on easier. Full body stockings can also be great to minimize any staining from clothing dye transferring onto the silicone.
Cleaning After Sexual Activity
It’s recommended to clean the doll after every use to minimize bacteria. However, if you plan to have regular intercourse, this can be quite the hassle. In that event, it’s best to use a male condom.
Most condoms are lubricated, and generally, these are inorganic lubes. These lubes don’t promote a conducive environment for microorganisms to thrive. With that, you can get away with monthly or localized cleaning.
With monthly cleaning, just keep in mind that while the internal cavities are protected by the condom and lube, you’ll transfer dead skin and oils onto the doll, which can lead to bacterial growth over time. If you won’t be using your doll regularly, it’s important to thoroughly clean them prior to storage.
Removing Odors
We’ve talked about how silicone absorbs moisture from the environment, and with this, they can absorb water-soluble odors. While they may not bother some, others find these unpleasant. There are two ways you can go about getting rid of any weird smells:
1. The more expensive route is using a hygrometer. Place the doll inside a large bag with the hygrometer and sprinkle your fragrance inside. Once the hygrometer stabilizes, this indicates the fragrance has been fully absorbed.
2. The more inexpensive method is wrapping the doll into a blanket. Then sprinkle on your fragrance and add a bit of rubbing alcohol. Then wrap it into another blanket and give it 8 or so hours to absorb. If the smell isn’t completely gone, go ahead and repeat until you’ve reached your desired results.
Now you know everything you need to properly care for silicone dolls! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!
