Storing your toy when not in use
A clean, dry, ventilated spot keeps your toy safe between sessions. Here is how to store toys long-term and what to avoid.
Where and how you store your toy affects its lifespan as much as how you use it. A few simple rules cover almost every situation.
The basic rules
- Clean before storing. A wet or dirty toy in a closed space grows bacteria and damages silicone.
- Dry completely. At least 30 minutes of air-drying before it goes into a drawer or pouch.
- Cool and dry location. Room temperature, low humidity. Not next to a radiator, not in a damp bathroom.
- Out of direct sunlight. UV degrades silicone over time.
- Don't touch other silicone toys. Some silicone formulations react with each other (they go sticky at contact points).
Storage containers
Most interactive toys come with a small pouch or bag. Use it. If it is lost:
| Option | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Cotton drawstring bag | Yes, ventilated and soft |
| Original cardboard box | Yes, if it's sealed and clean |
| Plastic Ziploc bag | OK short term, not for daily storage (no ventilation) |
| Hard case (camera bag, etc.) | Yes, especially for travel |
| Open drawer with other items | OK if the toy doesn't touch other silicone toys |
| Bathroom shelf | No (humidity) |
Battery and charge state
For toys with lithium batteries (basically all Lovense, Tremblr, Kiiroo, etc.):
- For daily storage: keep the toy at 30-50% charge. Topping up before each use is fine.
- For long-term storage (more than a month unused): leave the toy at about 50% charge. Do not store at 0% or 100% for long periods. Lithium batteries last longest at mid-charge.
- Top up every few months even if you are not using it. Batteries left empty for a long time can become un-chargeable.
Cable management
The charging cable is often the first thing to fail. Common-sense:
- Don't yank the cable when unplugging.
- Coil loosely instead of tight wrapping.
- Magnetic chargers (Lovense, Tremblr) are more forgiving than USB-C ports.
If a cable fails, contact the manufacturer for a replacement. Lovense and most major brands ship replacements cheaply.
Privacy considerations
Where you store your toy also affects who finds it:
- Bedside drawer is the most common and easiest.
- Locked case if you live with people who shouldn't see.
- Discreet packaging if it ships to an apartment with shared mailboxes.
Almost every reputable brand ships toys in unmarked or discreet boxes.
What to do with a toy you no longer use
If you decide to retire a toy:
- Wipe personal data. Use the toy's own app (Lovense Remote, etc.) to factory reset if available.
- Donate or sell? Generally not. Sex toys are not resaleable for hygiene reasons. Throw them away.
- Dispose of the battery responsibly. Lithium batteries should go to an electronics recycling drop-off, not regular trash.
Travel
Travelling with toys has its own considerations. See Travelling with your interactive toy.