Caring for Your Companion Doll: A Comprehensive Guide

Hey everyone, it's Lara here! Today I want to discuss something that there isn't always a lot of readily available information about sex dolls, due to the nature of the subject and the unfortunate public perception of it, aren't exactly something that a lot of people tend to write about outside of places like this. (Be sure to check out all the other blogs available here at TheDreamDoll).

Dolls are a source of comfort, companionship, and artistic expression for many. However, like any treasured possession, they require proper care and maintenance to ensure they remain in excellent condition for years to come. Whether you are new to the world of dolls or a seasoned collector, this guide will provide valuable tips to keep your doll looking and feeling her best.

Understanding Doll Materials:

Companion dolls are typically crafted from two main materials: TPE or silicone. While both materials have their advantages, they also have unique care requirements:

TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) Dolls

Pros:

• TPE is softer, more lifelike to the touch, and often more affordable than silicone.
• Offers great elasticity, making it easier to achieve realistic poses.
  

Cons:

• Highly porous, which makes cleaning more challenging. While TPE dolls can be thoroughly cleaned and generally made safe to use for their owners. 
• It is important to note that the porous nature of the material does mean that it is nearly impossible to fully disinfect every area of the material. This is not meant to cause any alarm, but just a reminder to make sure to clean a TPE doll as thoroughly as you can. 
• TPE is also generally more prone to tearing, staining, and material degradation over time.
• TPE requires more frequent maintenance, including oiling and powdering.
• TPE Dolls generally are considered to have a shorter lifespan of the material. Depending on the quality of your doll and the quality of your maintenance, the usual expectancy for TPE can be about 4 to 6 years. If neglected, they may end up with significant damage before that, if well maintained, they may stay in fantastic condition for longer.
• Lastly, TPE does not retain body paint and detailing for long. It can be repainted, and some doll owners enjoy this process as it helps build skills with body painting and makeup application, and you can change your doll's look from time to time. But often after a couple of cleanings and powderings, you will notice that detail fades away

Silicone Dolls

Pros:

• Silicone is non-porous, making it more hygienic and easier to clean.
• Silicone is more durable and resistant to damage, with a longer lifespan, usually around a decade.
• Silicone maintains its shape better in extreme poses or under pressure.
• Silicone maintains that body painting and detail that TPE will lose, and in general allows for even more detail to be applied to the material in the first place.
  

Cons:

• Silicone is slightly firmer and less elastic than TPE.
• Silicone is generally more expensive.
• Silicone repairs can sometimes more challenging due to the material’s density.
  
• NOTE: while these differences in the materials are still something that should be taken into consideration, I will point out that as this industry and the technology it utilizes advances, there have been significant changes to both materials. 
• Many silicone dolls these days are much softer to the touch than they used to be even just a couple of years ago. Many silicone dolls these days even offer a specialized silicone that is meant to be nearly identical to TPE in softer material and flexibility. These silicone dolls however do you come with more of that risk of damage closer to what you might find in a TPE doll.
• And conversely, there are many manufacturers working to make TPE less fragile and more resistant to damage. 
• But this is not always the case and varies from different manufacturer to different manufacturer. In general try to still treat each material with the methods in this guide and know that at the end of the day they are still different materials.

General Maintenance Tips

Proper care varies depending on the material, but these general tips apply to all dolls:

1. Regular Cleaning

To keep your doll clean and free from stains or bacteria:

For TPE dolls:

• Use mild, unscented antibacterial soap or a TPE-safe cleaner.
• Avoid alcohol-based products, as they can dry out and damage the material.
• Always pat the skin dry with a soft, lint-free towel after cleaning.
• After each cleaning I would also recommend an application of any cornstarch based baby powder. Or you can use regular cornstarch as well. I prefer baby powder because it tends to make a little bit less of a mess.

For Silicone dolls:

• Silicone can tolerate harsher cleaners, but it’s still best to use a gentle soap.
• Rinse thoroughly with warm water and dry carefully.
• While silicone dolls can often have a bit of a smoother texture and not feel like they need that application of powder as much. Some may still come out of the box with a bit of a sticky texture. After a few washes and powderings that tends to fade away. Both materials can utilize baby powder for not just maintenance, but to overall enhance the smoothness and lifelike feel of the doll. For silicone dolls, powdering them down also helps reduce some of the shininess that you may find when taking pictures.
  

2. After-Use Sanitation

Without getting explicit, ensure any areas exposed to fluids are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. Use a gentle cleaning brush or irrigator with warm water and mild soap. Allow all areas to air dry completely to prevent mold or bacteria growth.

Drying can often easily be done with a drying rod which are usually available for purchase at any vendor that sells dolls. There are also specific machines that many vendors sell that will clean or dry your dolls with minimal work required on your part. 

The last tricks that the doll community will utilize sometimes for drying out their dolls is to use an aquarium air pump. And if you're really on a budget, a standard tampon can also work, although I recommend a drying rod over this method just because a drying rod will be on a dowel that can reach in and dry the deepest parts of your doll.

3. Stain Prevention

TPE is particularly susceptible to staining from dark or vibrant fabrics. Always wash new clothing items before dressing your doll.

Silicone dolls are less prone to staining but can still be affected by certain dyes. I have found that the cheaper the clothing is, oftentimes the more susceptible the clothing dye is to staining a doll. Use light-colored or pre-washed fabrics when possible. Otherwise, continue to utilize the prewashing method even before dressing a silicone doll in darker colors, if you can, try to put a barrier between the dark clothing and your doll, and in general just don't leave them dressed in dark clothing for too long.

4. Proper Storage

Keep your doll in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme heat, which can degrade both TPE and silicone. Although silicone is far more resistant to either temperature extreme.

Store your doll in a neutral pose, or what I call “the doll box pose”, to avoid stress on joints or the material. Avoid sharp bends in elbows or knees for extended periods. The material of your doll can be left with permanent creasing if left for extended periods of time with the joints in a bent position. Once again TPE is more likely to have this issue than silicone. 

Don't worry, your dog can still sit on the couch with you for a movie marathon, just don't leave her sitting down for days at a time.

5. Handling and Moving

Always handle your doll with care to avoid accidental damage. When lifting, support both the upper body and lower body to prevent stress on the joints.

Use doll stands or storage hooks designed for your doll’s weight to minimize wear and tear.

Material-Specific Care

TPE Doll Maintenance

• Oil Baths

TPE material loses its natural oils over time, leading to dryness and cracking. To prevent this:

Every 2–3 months, apply a light coating of mineral oil or baby oil to the entire surface of the doll.

Let the oil absorb for 4–6 hours before gently wiping away any excess.

• Powdering

After cleaning or oiling, lightly dust the doll with cornstarch or a TPE-safe powder to prevent stickiness and friction damage.

• Repairs

For small tears or abrasions, use a TPE repair kit or TPE glue. Larger repairs may require professional assistance. Be aware that TPE glue actually melts the material, so it will appear to cause a cut or gash in your doll. However when you reapply those segments together what the glue is actually doing is allowing the material to fuse back together. Some TPE paste/putty in the color of your doll's skin is also handy to have for filling in any deeper puncture wounds or areas of damage that TPE glue cannot fill.

Silicone Doll Maintenance

• Less Frequent Maintenance: 

Silicone does not require oiling, as it doesn’t lose its natural composition over time. In fact, avoid using things like baby oils and mineral oils on silicone dolls in general as it can actually have adverse effects. Occasional powdering can help maintain a smooth feel.

• Repairs

Use silicone adhesive or repair kits designed specifically for dolls. Repairs can be more challenging with silicone due to its density, so take extra care to avoid damage. Many vendors sell TPE care kits, 

But in a pinch standard silpoxy bought from a hardware store or online retailer can fix many cuts, tears, and gashes that a silicone doll might unfortunately receive. Just be aware that you will likely have to manually compress the material together to ensure that it has a strong bond for the repair. And it may leave small scarring as the material does not fuse together in the same kind of bond that TPE does.

NOTE: one oddity of having dolls made between these two materials, is that in general they should not come in contact with each other. Use water-based lubricants whenever possible, and especially avoid silicone lubricants on TPE Dolls. 

In general your TPE doll and your silicone doll should not touch as the two materials together can create a chemical reaction that warps and melts both materials. If you buy a hybrid doll that has a TPE body and a silicone head, don't worry about that as the manufacturer will have treated the materials to not have this interaction with each other.

Safe Posing Practices

To preserve the structural integrity of your doll.

Avoid extreme or unnatural poses that put strain on the joints or material.

Never leave the doll in a standing position unattended unless it has a stand designed to support its weight or is securely supported against something like a wall. If your doll has a gel bottom however, I would advise against leaving her weight against a wall for too long as the material may flatten or deform. 

Lastly, only leave a doll standing with feet on the ground if they are supported by standing bolts. Many silicone dolls these days offer hard feet that are designed to let your doll stand without those visible bolts on the bottom, however they are not meant for long-term storage standing up. 

They are meant instead to be able to remain standing for dressing the doll or even an elaborate photo shoot. Much like leaving your dolls in a sitting position, it is fine for a few hours without worry, but do not leave a doll with hard feet standing for days at a time. The skeleton may still push downwards towards the feet due to gravity and end up with warping and deformation of the feet.

You can also rotate positions frequently if your doll is displayed for long periods to avoid compression marks or stress points. 

Extending Your Doll’s Lifespan

With proper care, your companion doll can last many years. Here are a few additional tips.

Use a soft-bristle brush or microfiber cloth for cleaning delicate areas, such as the face or hands.

Regularly inspect for signs of wear, such as small tears, loose joints, or discoloration, and address them promptly.

Protect your doll’s face and makeup by avoiding harsh scrubbing or exposure to oils and chemicals.

And lastly, we have mostly talked about the material surrounding your doll's skeleton, but in general also just be as gentle with your doll as possible. Many of these dolls are very sturdy, but at the same time can be rather fragile. When posing them, moving them, using them, and storing them. Be sure to move carefully and deliberately. Quick and forceful movements can run the risk of damaging the dolls skeleton, either a joint breaking or just generally causing an area to become too loose to the point where there is no more rigidity or resistance to gravity. 

Always pay attention if you are letting a doll stand freely or in a way where she is not securely supported. Many doll owners will likely at some point experience seeing their doll take a fall if they are practicing photo shoots or any kind of general display or interaction with the doll freely standing. But with diligence, this risk can be diminished and ideally avoided. I highly recommend against ever trying to get a doll to stand in high heels without a specifically designed doll standnfor support.

Conclusion

Maintaining your companion doll is a labor of love, and the effort you put into her care will pay off in her longevity and appearance. Whether your doll is TPE or silicone, these tips can help you keep her in pristine condition, ensuring she (or he) remains a cherished part of your life for years to come.

Until next time.

~Lara