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The Bare Babe Blog

How to Clean Nipple Covers: A Comprehensive Guide

by Stephanie Danforth on Apr 22, 2023
Water splashing over cupped hands under a running tap, for a guide to washing and caring for reusable silicone nipple covers and nipple pasties

Nipple covers are a great solution to avoid any embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions. They provide a discreet way to conceal nipples and maintain modesty. Nipple covers come in various shapes and sizes and can be made from different materials like silicone, fabric, or adhesive.

But, with regular use, nipple covers tend to accumulate dirt, sweat, and oil, which can affect their adhesive and cause skin irritation. So, it's essential to know how to clean nipple covers to maintain their quality and longevity.

In this article, we'll guide you on how to clean nipple covers, the frequency of their use, and how to make them sticky again. We'll also discuss how to clean silicone nipple covers and reusable nipple covers.

How To Properly Wash Nipple Covers

The first step in cleaning nipple covers is to remove them from the skin gently. Avoid pulling the nipple covers as it may cause skin irritation or damage the adhesive. Once you've removed the nipple covers, wash them after every wear with mild soap and lukewarm water, both sides.

Avoid using hot water, as it may affect the adhesive and cause the nipple covers to lose their stickiness. Rub the nipple covers gently with clean fingertips, especially the adhesive area, to remove any dirt or oil. Don't use a cloth, sponge or brush, which leaves fibers behind.

After washing, rinse the nipple covers with lukewarm water to remove any soap residue. Shake off the water rather than toweling them, then let them air-dry adhesive side up (skin side up for non-adhesive covers).

Avoid using a hairdryer or any heat source to dry the nipple covers as it may damage the adhesive or cause them to lose their shape.

How often can you reuse nipple covers?

It depends on the type of cover and how you wear it. Our Adhesive Nipple Covers are made for up to 50 wears with proper care, and our Non-Adhesive Nipple Covers, which hold with gentle suction under fitted clothing, for 100+. Fabric pasties are usually disposable.

How you wear them matters as much as how many times. Adhesive wears down with every hour it's on skin, and sweat speeds that up, so a pair you wear a couple of hours at a time will last longer than a pair worn all day, every day, or through sweaty workouts.

How do you make nipple covers sticky again?

Most of the time the stickiness hasn't gone anywhere; something is sitting on top of it. A cover that has lost its hold has usually picked up lotion, sunscreen, sweat or towel lint, and washing it with mild soap and lukewarm water takes that off so the tack comes back. Let it air-dry completely, adhesive side up, and don't use a towel, which leaves lint behind.

Don't put powder, cornstarch or talc on the adhesive; it coats the sticky side and stops it holding. And if a freshly washed, fully dry cover still won't hold on clean, dry skin, the adhesive has worn out and no trick will revive it. A worn-out adhesive cover still works like a non-adhesive one under a fitted top or sports bra (more on re-sticking).

Can I wash silicone nipple pasties?

Silicone nipple pasties are durable and can last for a long time. They're easy to clean and maintain as they're waterproof and can be washed with mild soap and water. To clean silicone nipple pasties, remove them gently from the skin and wash them with mild soap and lukewarm water.

Use clean fingertips rather than a brush. Avoid using hot water or any harsh cleaning agents as it may damage the silicone material. Rinse the nipple covers with lukewarm water, shake off the water and let them air-dry.

How To Clean Reusable Nipple Covers Before and After

Reusable nipple covers are a cost-effective option compared to disposable ones: buy once, wear again. They're easy to clean and maintain, but proper care is essential to ensure their longevity.

Before cleaning, remove the nipple covers gently from the skin and wash them with mild soap and lukewarm water. Rub the nipple covers gently with your fingers to remove any dirt or oil. After washing, rinse the nipple covers with lukewarm water to remove any soap residue.

Skip disinfectants like hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, wipes or micellar water. They can strip the adhesive for good, and mild soap and water already clears sweat and bacteria. Shake off the water and let them air-dry.

It's essential to store reusable nipple covers in a clean and dry place to avoid any contamination or damage. Put adhesive covers back on their clear backing, then keep them in the satin bag or the box they came in. Non-adhesive covers have no backing and go straight into the bag.

How To Clean Silicone Nipple Covers

Silicone nipple covers are a popular choice among women as they're comfortable, discreet, and easy to use. However, with regular use, they can accumulate dirt, oil, and sweat, affecting their adhesive quality.

To clean silicone nipple covers, remove them gently from the skin and wash them with mild soap and lukewarm water. Use clean fingertips, not a brush, especially on the adhesive area.

After washing, rinse the nipple covers with lukewarm water to remove any soap residue. Shake off the water and let them air-dry adhesive side up. Avoid using any heat source or hairdryer to dry the nipple covers as it may damage the silicone material.

It's essential to store silicone nipple covers in a clean and dry place to avoid any contamination or damage. Use the satin bag or the original box, with adhesive covers back on their clear backing.

Remember to remove the nipple covers gently from the skin to avoid any damage or skin irritation. Wash them with mild soap and lukewarm water and rinse them thoroughly to remove any soap residue.

Store the nipple covers in a clean and dry place to avoid any contamination or damage. Following these simple steps will help you keep your nipple covers clean and maintain their adhesive quality.


Shop Silicone Nipple Covers

If you're looking for quality nipple covers that are comfortable, discreet, and easy to use, check out our Adhesive Nipple Covers. They come in three sizes, Small (3in/8cm) for AA–B, Large (4in/10cm) for C–DD and X-Large (5in/12cm) for DDD+, and five shades: Creme, Honey, Caramel, Cocoa and Mocha.

They're hypoallergenic, medical-grade silicone, made for up to 50 wears if you wash them after each one. They cover, they don't lift, so if you need lift, look at boob tape instead.

Written by Stephanie Danforth, Founder of Bare Babe · Published April 22, 2023 · Updated October 13, 2026

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Adhesive Nipple Covers in Creme: two round reusable silicone nipple covers, one turned to show its sticky adhesive side, next to the Bare Babe invisible nipple covers box in medical-grade silicone. Adhesive Nipple Covers $19.99 $24.99 Non-Adhesive Nipple Covers in Creme: a hand holds up a round, grippy, non-sticky silicone nipple cover, with a second cover and the Bare Babe non-adhesive box on a peach backdrop. Non-Adhesive Nipple Covers $19.99 $24.99 Lifting Nipple Covers (Two-Tabs) box in medical-grade silicone, labelled With Lift, beside a hand holding up one two-tab reusable silicone nipple cover on a peach background Lifting Nipple Covers (Two-Tabs) $22.99 $27.99 Satin Nipple Pasties box, disposable satin nipple covers, 20 pairs, with one round and one flower-shaped pasty in Creme on a peach backdrop. Satin Nipple Pasties - 20 Pairs $14.99 $17.99 Boob Tape Kit in Creme: a roll of breast lift tape partly unrolled to show the cutting-grid backing, beside its Dare to Be Bare box marked invisible breast lift tape with medical-grade adhesive. Boob Tape Kit $17.99 $22.99 Invisible Lingerie Tape box resting on peach display props, a slim pack of pre-cut double-sided clothing tape strips marked secure fit all day long and gentle for all skin types. Invisible Lingerie Tape $9.99 $12.99
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