Good care is what separates a doll that lasts years from one that deteriorates in months. TPE and silicone are both durable, forgiving materials — but they are also porous-to-varying-degrees surfaces that you are regularly putting in contact with your body. A consistent, correct cleaning routine is not optional; it is the single most important thing you can do to protect your investment and maintain the standards of hygiene you deserve.
This guide covers everything: the supplies you need, what to do before first use, the after-use routine, the monthly deep clean, storage, mold prevention and makeup application. There are also specific notes throughout for plus-size and BBW builds, where the extra weight, more generous proportions and additional articulation points create a few extra considerations worth knowing about.
Supplies you will need
Before you begin any cleaning routine, have these items on hand:
- Mild antibacterial soap — fragrance-free, alcohol-free. Baby shampoo or a dedicated toy cleaner also works well.
- Warm water — always warm, never hot. Heat above ~104°F (40°C) can soften TPE joints over time.
- Soft microfibre cloths — at least two: one for washing, one for drying. No abrasive materials of any kind.
- A long-handled soft brush or irrigator — for reaching and flushing internal openings thoroughly.
- Clean, dry towels — for pat-drying the full body after washing.
- TPE renewal powder (TPE bodies only) — talc-free cornstarch or a dedicated doll powder. Applied after every full dry.
- A powder puff or soft brush — for applying powder evenly without rubbing.
- Cotton buds — for drying narrow openings and detail areas.
- Petroleum jelly or TPE stain remover — for treating any staining from clothing or fabric.
- Silica gel packets (optional but recommended) — placed in the storage case to absorb residual moisture.
What you should never use: anything containing alcohol, bleach, acetone, silicone oil, or abrasive particles. These degrade TPE faster than anything else and can damage silicone surface finishes permanently.
Before first use: unboxing and initial preparation
Your doll arrives carefully packed and protected, but it will have a faint manufacturer smell and may have minor residue from the casting or packing process. A thorough first-use clean before any contact is essential.
First-use steps
- Unbox on a soft surface — a clean bed or padded mat. Never drag the doll across hard surfaces.
- Inspect the full body in good light for any transit marks, pressure points or packaging residue.
- Remove any packing materials, zip ties or transport supports carefully. On a heavier BBW build, ask for help — these can be 80–100 lbs.
- Perform a full-body wash as described in the after-use routine below, paying particular attention to all intimate openings and all joint areas.
- Allow to air-dry completely — at least one hour — before the first use or applying any accessories.
- Apply renewal powder over the full TPE body once dry.
After-each-use cleaning routine
This is the non-negotiable routine. Intimate areas must be cleaned after every use, without exception. The full process takes 10–20 minutes and is the single most important habit you can establish.
- Remove removable inserts immediately. If your doll has removable vaginal, anal or oral inserts — and most quality dolls from our collection do — remove them first. These are far easier to clean outside the body, and a removable insert is dramatically more hygienic than a fixed cavity.
- Wash removable inserts under running warm water. Apply a small amount of antibacterial soap, work it through the insert (turning inside out if possible), rinse completely and set aside to dry. They can air-dry separately while you clean the rest of the doll.
- Flush fixed openings with an irrigator. For any openings that are not removable, use a soft irrigator bulb or dedicated cleaning tool to flush warm water and a drop of mild soap through the cavity. Repeat with clean water until the rinse runs clear.
- Wipe down the full body. Dampen a soft microfibre cloth with warm water and mild soap. Wipe the full body surface — paying particular attention to the underside of the breasts, the stomach fold on fuller builds, inner thighs, and any areas where skin contact was sustained. On a BBW or plus-size figure, these fold areas are where moisture accumulates most.
- Rinse with a clean damp cloth. Follow with a second cloth dampened with clean water only to remove all soap residue.
- Pat dry thoroughly — do not rub. Use a clean dry towel to pat every surface. Rubbing can damage TPE surface texture over time. Use cotton buds to absorb moisture from narrow openings, joint creases and any detail areas.
- Air dry for at least 30 minutes. Lay the doll flat on a dry, ventilated surface before powdering or dressing. If you have a hanging storage kit, hanging her upright for the drying period is ideal.
- Apply renewal powder (TPE bodies). Once fully dry, lightly dust all TPE surfaces with a powder puff and renewal powder. This restores the skin-like matte finish and prevents the surface becoming tacky. Use a light touch — you want a dusting, not a coating.
Monthly deep-clean routine
Once a month, do a more thorough clean that goes beyond the after-use routine to cover areas that day-to-day cleaning might miss.
- Full joint inspection. Work through every joint — neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees — cleaning into the joint fold with a damp cotton bud. This is where dust and residue accumulate invisibly.
- Finger and toe detail. Clean between fingers and around the toes with a soft brush or cotton bud.
- Face wash (gentle). Use a lightly dampened cloth with a tiny amount of mild soap to cleanse the face. On a silicone head, rinse clean and pat dry. Avoid saturating the eye area — moisture can work behind the glass eyes.
- Wig cleaning. Remove the wig. Wash in cool water with a small amount of hair conditioner, rinse, blot dry and allow to air-dry on a wig stand before replacing.
- Skeleton check. Gently test each joint for stability. A well-made EVO skeleton holds firm; any looseness or unusual resistance at a joint should be noted. Contact our support team if a joint feels compromised.
- Full powder re-application (TPE). After the monthly clean and complete drying, apply renewal powder generously over the full TPE body.
Storage between uses
How you store your companion doll has a direct impact on how long she lasts and how she looks. The key principles are: support the body's weight evenly, keep away from sustained pressure on any single point, and store dry in a dark, ventilated space.
- Flat storage: On a padded surface (memory foam mat or dedicated storage mattress), lying on her back or side. This works well for most builds and requires no additional equipment. Rotate positions occasionally to prevent any single area developing a compression flat spot over time.
- Hanging storage: A dedicated hanging kit attaches to the doll's built-in neck hook (present on most quality builds) and allows her to hang vertically in a wardrobe. This is the best storage method for longevity — no sustained pressure on any point — and is the preferred approach for heavier BBW builds where flat storage creates more contact-point pressure.
- Storage box or case: A foam-lined flight case or under-bed storage box provides discretion and structure. Make sure the doll is fully supported inside and is not bent or compressed into the space. A lightly crumpled position held for months can cause creasing or permanent deformation in TPE.
Never store a TPE doll with heavy objects on top of her, in direct sunlight, near a heat source, or in a compressed position with limbs forced into unnatural angles for long periods.
Mold and mildew prevention
Mold in a companion doll is almost always caused by one thing: storing it while still damp. Prevent it completely with these habits:
- Always complete the full drying routine before storage. 30 minutes of air drying after pat-drying is a minimum.
- Keep removable inserts out of the body during storage — let them air separately, then store alongside the doll in their own small bag.
- If you live in a high-humidity climate (Florida, Hawaii, the Gulf Coast), place one or two silica gel packets in your storage case and replace them every few months.
- If you notice any musty smell from an internal cavity, flush thoroughly with warm water and a small amount of white vinegar, rinse completely with clean water, and dry fully before use. If the smell persists, contact our support team.
Makeup application and hair styling
Many owners enjoy personalizing their companion with light makeup and styling. Done correctly, this is safe and reversible.
- Use only water-based, non-permanent makeup products on TPE surfaces. Oil-based products can stain or degrade TPE.
- Apply with a clean, soft brush. Start lightly — you can always add, and removal takes more work.
- To remove makeup from TPE, use a clean cloth dampened with mild soap and warm water, then rinse. Do not use makeup removers containing alcohol or acetone.
- Silicone heads are more forgiving of makeup and easier to clean, but the same principle applies: mild products, gentle removal.
- Wigs can be restyled using low-heat setting on a flat iron or styling wand (never apply heat directly to TPE or silicone). Store wigs on a stand or in a net to hold their shape.
Special tips for plus-size and BBW builds
Fuller-figured dolls have a few unique care considerations that slimmer builds do not share:
- More surface area, more fold areas. A BBW or voluptuous build has more skin surface to clean and more natural folds (under the bust, at the stomach, at the tops of the thighs) where moisture can trap. Be deliberate about drying these areas after every cleaning — a thin, dry cloth worked gently into each fold is the most efficient approach.
- More articulation stress. The skeleton joints of a heavier build bear more load with every position change. Move joints slowly and support the limb you are moving. Avoid holding a position for extended periods that puts torque on a single joint.
- More weight for handling. When cleaning, lay the doll on a padded surface at a height you can work comfortably. You do not need to hold a 90 lb figure upright to clean her — working flat is safer, easier and more thorough.
- More powder needed. A larger surface area means more renewal powder per application. Make sure you are reaching the full body surface, including the back, undersides of limbs and between the thighs.
- Clothing choices matter more. On a fuller build, more fabric is in contact with more TPE surface for longer. Choose light, non-colorfast-tested garments carefully and undress the doll for storage rather than leaving her in an outfit between uses.
If you are choosing your first companion doll and want to understand the broader considerations around BBW and plus-size builds, our complete BBW buying guide covers everything from silhouette selection to handling and storage in detail.
What NOT to do: common mistakes to avoid
Never do these things
- Never use alcohol, bleach or acetone — these degrade TPE rapidly and can permanently damage silicone finishes.
- Never use silicone-based lubricant on a TPE body — silicone oil dissolves TPE over time. Use only water-based lubricant with TPE surfaces.
- Never store a damp doll — moisture causes mold. Always dry completely before storage.
- Never scrub TPE — always pat, dab and blot. Rubbing and scrubbing degrades the surface texture.
- Never leave dark clothing on a TPE body for extended periods — dye transfers into the porous surface and can be very difficult to remove fully.
- Never apply heat directly to TPE or silicone — hot water, hair dryers on high, heating pads left in one position for hours can all cause damage. The built-in heating element in compatible dolls is designed to distribute warmth safely.
- Never store in a compressed or bent position for weeks — TPE can deform permanently under sustained pressure.
- Never ignore a bad smell from an internal area — act immediately with a thorough flush and dry.
For material-specific questions — particularly anything about the differences between caring for TPE versus silicone — our full TPE vs silicone guide has detailed maintenance comparisons. And when you are ready to choose your companion, explore the full Curvelle collection or start with our most popular build, Elena.