Rinse them after every wear with warm water and a drop of mild soap, rub the adhesive side gently with a fingertip to lift skin oil and lint, and leave them to air-dry sticky side up. Once dry, press them back onto their clear backing and put them in the satin bag. That routine is what gets you up to 50 wears from an Adhesive pair and 100+ from a Non-Adhesive pair, and it's also the answer when a pair "stops sticking": in most cases the adhesive isn't worn out, it's just dirty.
Step by step
- Rinse. Warm water, not hot. Hold the cover adhesive side up under the tap.
- Wash the sticky side. One drop of mild hand soap or baby shampoo, rubbed in small circles with a clean fingertip. You'll feel the surface go from slippery to tacky as the oil comes off. Never use a cloth or brush, which leaves fibers behind.
- Rinse again and shake off the water. Don't wipe it.
- Air-dry adhesive side up. On a clean, flat surface, away from dust. Fifteen to thirty minutes is usually enough. Once fully dry, press it back onto the clear plastic backing.
How to make nipple covers sticky again
Wash them exactly as above. A cover that has lost its grip has usually picked up lotion, sunscreen, sweat or towel lint; washing removes all four and the tack comes back. If a freshly washed, fully dry cover still won't hold on clean skin, the adhesive itself has reached the end of its life.
What not to do
- No alcohol, wipes, micellar water or harsh soap. They strip the adhesive for good.
- No hot water, no dryer, no hairdryer on hot. Heat damages silicone.
- No towels or tissues on the sticky side. Air-dry only.
- No storing them loose in a drawer or a makeup bag. Dust is the enemy.
- No sharing. Adhesive covers are personal.
Storage
Dry, on the backing, in the satin bag or the box they came in, out of direct sun. Stored this way, a pair you wear once a week is still good months later. Traveling, keep them on the backing in the satin bag rather than loose in a wash bag with liquids.
When to replace them, and what to do with the old pair
Adhesive covers are made for up to 50 wears; Non-Adhesive for 100+. You'll know the adhesive is done when a clean, dry cover won't hold on clean, dry skin. Don't throw the old pair away: a worn-out Adhesive cover works as a Non-Adhesive one under a fitted top, a sports bra or a swimsuit, so it gets a second life doing the job the glue-free pair does.
What we'd pick
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Adhesive Nipple CoversUp to 50 wears with this routine.
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Non-Adhesive Nipple Covers100+ wears. Suction needs a clean surface, so the same routine applies.
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Satin Nipple Pasties (20 Pairs)The disposable alternative: wear once, no washing.
FAQ
How often should I wash them?
After every wear. It takes a minute and it's the whole difference between a pair that lasts and a pair that doesn't.
Can I wash them in the machine?
No. Hand-wash only.
Can I use dish soap?
A drop of gentle dish soap is fine. Avoid anything antibacterial or degreasing, which is too harsh.
The edges have gone a bit cloudy. Are they ruined?
Usually not; cloudiness is trapped residue. Wash as above and let them dry fully.
Do non-adhesive covers need washing too?
Yes. They hold with suction, and suction needs a clean surface. Same routine.
What about satin pasties?
They're disposable. Wear once and bin them; no washing.
