Keeping your device clean and fresh.
A few simple habits keep a silicone restoration device hygienic, comfortable, and long-lasting. How to clean, dry, inspect, and store it between wears.
Cleaning after every use.
A restoration device sits against the most delicate skin you have, so keeping it clean is part of the practice, not an afterthought. Clean your device after every wear, before it has a chance to dry. Wipe it down with a soft cloth dampened with warm water and a little mild, fragrance-free soap.
Do not submerge the device or hold it under running water. Wipe every surface, paying attention to grippers, seams, and any recessed areas where sweat and residue can collect, then go over it once more with a clean damp cloth to lift any soap film. Avoid harsh detergents, alcohol, and abrasive scrubbers, which can degrade the silicone and TPU over time.
Drying before storage.
Let the device dry completely before you put it away. Pat it down with a clean, lint-free towel and then leave it in the open air until every surface, including the inside of grippers and cones, is fully dry.
Storing a device while it is still damp invites mildew, odour, and a slick film that is unpleasant the next time you reach for it. A few minutes of air-drying after cleaning prevents all of it.
Keeping it fresh.
Silicone and TPU can pick up odour over time, mostly from sweat and skin oils left on the surface, or from being put away before they are fully dry. The fix is almost always the routine above: clean after every wear, dry completely, and store it somewhere dry where air can reach it, rather than sealed in a bag.
If a smell does build up, give the device a deeper clean. Make a paste of baking soda and a little water, wipe it over every surface with a soft damp cloth, paying extra attention to the inside of grippers and cones, then leave it for 10 to 15 minutes. Wipe it all off with a clean damp cloth and let the device air-dry fully, ideally overnight. Repeat if needed. Do not submerge the device, and avoid scented soaps, perfumes, bleach or alcohol, which can irritate skin and break down the material.
Freshness starts with your skin too. Wash the area before and after wearing a device, dry it well, and take regular breaks between wears so the skin can breathe. Rotating between two grippers also gives each one time to dry out properly.
Inspecting for wear.
Each time you clean the device, take a moment to look it over. Check grippers, plates, straps, valves, and any moving parts for thinning, cracks, splits, or a change in texture or colour.
Silicone and TPU are durable, but they are not permanent. Grippers in particular take the most contact and wear first. Replace any part that looks compromised rather than pushing it through another wear. A worn part holds unevenly and is more likely to pinch or slip.
The Priva Air valve.
The Air's one-way quick-connect valve is a small moving part, and dust or lint can work its way inside, especially if the device is left out uncovered. Keep the valve clean and dry, and keep the Air somewhere clean and covered between sessions.
If the valve starts to stick or won't open and close smoothly, apply a single drop of mineral oil to the valve and work it a few times until it moves freely. Wipe away any excess so the oil stays on the valve and off the silicone parts.
Storing it away.
Once dry, keep your device somewhere cool, dry, and private. Avoid direct sunlight, radiators, and hot cars, since prolonged heat and UV exposure can warp and weaken the material.
A clean drawer, box, or a breathable bag of your own keeps the device dust-free and discreet between wears. Stored well, a Priva device stays comfortable and reliable for years of use.