How to Clean Reusable Nipple Covers (And Make Them Last for Months)

Reusable nipple covers are designed to last months, not weeks. The difference between covers that lose their grip after five uses and covers that are still performing well six months later usually comes down to one thing: how they are cleaned and stored after each wear.

The good news is that proper care takes about two minutes. There is no specialist equipment required and nothing complicated involved. This guide covers the full routine for both adhesive-free covers like the Breasties Grippies and adhesive covers like the Breasties Stickies, plus what to avoid and how to store them correctly between uses.

Why Cleaning Matters

Every time nipple covers are worn, they pick up a thin layer of skin oils, sweat, dead skin cells, and any product residue on the skin surface. Over time, this build-up sits between the silicone and your skin and prevents proper contact. For adhesive-free covers, it reduces the grip that allows the silicone to hold. For adhesive covers, it coats the adhesive layer and weakens the bond.

Washing after every single wear removes this layer before it accumulates. Covers that are washed regularly after each use and stored properly routinely last three to six months of regular wear. Covers that are worn several times between washes, or stored without cleaning, lose their effectiveness in a fraction of that time.

What You Need

You do not need anything specialist. Warm water and a mild soap are all that is required. A gentle facial cleanser, baby soap, or plain mild hand wash all work well. The key is that the product is free from heavy moisturising agents, oils, or strong fragrances, which can leave residue on the silicone.

What you do not need: specialist silicone cleaners, washing machines, dishwashers, alcohol wipes, or antibacterial soaps with strong active ingredients. All of these are either unnecessary or actively harmful to the material.

The Cleaning Routine

Rinse the covers under warm running water immediately after removing them, or as soon as you get home if you are out. Warm water loosens any adhesive residue or sweat before it dries and becomes harder to remove.

Apply a small drop of mild soap to your fingertips and rub gently over both surfaces of each cover, paying particular attention to the edges. Use light circular motions rather than scrubbing. The silicone does not need aggressive cleaning and scrubbing with anything abrasive will damage the surface texture over time.

Rinse thoroughly under warm water until no soap remains. Any soap residue left on the surface will reduce grip on the next use in the same way that skin products do, so make sure the rinse is complete.

Drying and Storage

This is where most people make a small but significant mistake. Do not dry nipple covers with a towel or cloth. Even the softest towels leave fibres behind on silicone, and those fibres sit on the grip surface and reduce its effectiveness. Instead, shake off excess water and set the covers face-up on a clean surface to air dry completely.

Air drying takes around 15 to 30 minutes depending on the warmth of the room. Do not use a hairdryer to speed this up. High heat can alter the silicone structure and cause the surface to become slightly tacky in a way that attracts dust and lint.

Once fully dry, store flat in the original case with the protective film in place if your covers came with one. If there is no film, store face-up in the case, not stacked or pressed against another surface. The goal is to protect the grip surface from dust, lint, and pressure until the next use. Keep them away from makeup bags or drawers where product powders and loose particles can settle on them.

Restoring Grip on Adhesive-Free Covers

If you notice that Grippies are not gripping as firmly as they used to, the most likely cause is build-up on the surface rather than genuine wear. A thorough wash using the routine above will restore the grip in most cases. The silicone surface is not degrading; it is simply coated with enough residue to prevent full contact with your skin.

After washing, leave them to air dry for at least 30 minutes before testing. The grip is most noticeable when the covers are applied to clean, dry, warm skin. If grip has reduced significantly and washing does not restore it, that is a reliable sign the covers have reached the end of their useful life and need replacing.

Restoring Adhesive on Adhesive Covers

The adhesive on Stickies also refreshes after washing. If the adhesive layer feels less tacky than when new, a wash and thorough air dry often restores it noticeably. The adhesive is not depleted by wear alone; it is the accumulation of skin oils and residue on the surface that reduces its immediate stickiness.

As with the Grippies, if the adhesive is no longer performing well after washing, the covers have reached the end of their lifespan.

Hygiene

Nipple covers sit directly against skin for extended periods, so keeping them clean is not just about performance but about basic hygiene. Washing after every use removes sweat and bacteria that would otherwise sit on the silicone surface between wears. This is particularly relevant if you wear covers during exercise or in warm weather.

Covers are personal items and should not be shared. If you have a skin sensitivity or condition, consult a dermatologist before use, and opt for adhesive-free covers as the lower-irritation option for sensitive skin.

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