Clean the Lovense Lush with mild antibacterial soap and warm running water after every use. The device is IPX7 waterproof, so rinsing under the tap is safe, no need for wipes or sprays. Allow it to dry fully before storage. That’s the core routine. This guide covers why it works, what to avoid, how to store the device properly, and what maintenance keeps it performing well over its lifespan.

Understanding the Lush’s Materials

Silicone Exterior

The Lush’s bulb, the internal portion, is made from body-safe, platinum-cured silicone. This is the same material specification used in medical devices. Key properties:

• Non-porous: Pathogens cannot be absorbed into the material. Bacteria and viruses sit on the surface only, making soap-and-water cleaning effective.
• Hypoallergenic: Does not contain phthalates, BPA, latex, or other common sensitisers.
• Smooth but textured: The Lush has a textured ridge near the tip that can trap lubricant and body fluid if not cleaned properly.

The Lovense materials and safety page confirms the platinum silicone specification.

ABS Plastic Tail

The curved anchor tail that sits externally is made from ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic. ABS is hard, smooth, and non-porous. It’s the same material used in many electronics housings, LEGO bricks, and medical devices. It cleans easily with the same soap-and-water method and tolerates the same cleaning products as silicone.

The Charging Contacts

The magnetic charging contacts are small metal pads on the tail section. These are waterproof but benefit from being kept dry and clean. Residue on the contacts can reduce charging efficiency. Include them in your regular cleaning wipe-down.

Standard Cleaning Routine

After Every Use

1. Rinse under warm running water to remove surface residue, lubricant, body fluids, and any soap from a previous cleaning
2. Apply a small amount of mild antibacterial soap directly to the silicone surface, or onto your clean hand first
3. Work the soap gently over the entire silicone section, paying attention to the textured ridge near the tip, this area traps residue and benefits from a slightly more thorough pass
4. Rinse thoroughly until no soap remains; soap residue left on silicone can cause irritation in subsequent use
5. Pat dry with a clean cloth or allow to air dry before storing

The whole routine takes under two minutes. For a device used on your body, it’s worth doing every single time.

Sex Toy Cleaners as an Alternative

Purpose-made sex toy cleaners are a convenient option, particularly for quick cleaning or when soap isn’t immediately accessible. Products like Sliquid Shine, Mayer-Johnson CleanSex, or similar enzyme-based sprays are pH-balanced and designed to clean non-porous sex toy materials without affecting silicone.

Toy cleaners are not more effective than soap and water on non-porous silicone, they’re simply convenient. Spray, wipe with a cloth, optionally rinse. Some toy cleaners are formulated to not require rinsing, which makes them useful for travel.

If you use a toy cleaner, check the ingredients to confirm it doesn’t contain alcohol or harsh solvents, which can dry silicone over time with repeated use.

Before First Use

Before using a new Lush for the first time, clean it with soap and water to remove any manufacturing residue, packaging dust, or handling contamination. This applies even to sealed, unopened devices.

What to Avoid

Do Not Boil

Pure silicone toys without electronics can be boiled to sterilise them. The Lush cannot be boiled. The device contains a lithium-ion battery, circuit board, and Bluetooth module, boiling water causes thermal damage to these components and will destroy the device. The IPX7 waterproofing is tested for cold to room-temperature water, not boiling.

This is a common mistake made by people who know silicone toys can be boiled. The Lush is not a pure silicone toy, it’s an electronic device with a silicone exterior.

Do Not Steam Clean

For the same reasons, steam cleaning is inappropriate. High-temperature steam can penetrate waterproof seals that are otherwise effective against liquid water, and will damage internal components.

Do Not Put in the Dishwasher

Dishwashers combine hot water, high-pressure spray, and heated drying cycles. All three of these are problematic for the Lush. Electronic components cannot survive these conditions, and the waterproofing is not rated for the temperatures involved.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals

The following should not be used to clean the Lush:

• Bleach or chlorine-based disinfectants: Unnecessary on non-porous silicone (surface cleaning with soap is sufficient) and can degrade the material with repeated use.
• Isopropyl or ethyl alcohol: Alcohol is sometimes recommended as a sex toy cleaner, but it dries out silicone surfaces over time, making them tacky or rough. It also offers no advantage over soap and water on non-porous silicone.
• Hydrogen peroxide: Stronger than necessary and can affect silicone texture.
• Scented soaps with oils or moisturisers: These leave residue on silicone that is difficult to remove and can cause irritation. Use plain antibacterial soap or a dedicated toy cleaner.

Avoid Silicone-Based Cleaning Products

Some surface sprays and electronics cleaners contain silicone (often listed as dimethicone or polydimethylsiloxane). As with silicone-based lubricants, these can degrade the toy’s silicone surface over time. Check product labels before using any spray cleaner.

Drying and Storage

Drying Before Storage

After cleaning, the Lush should be fully dry before being stored. Storing a damp device in an enclosed space, a pouch, a drawer, a case, creates a warm, moist environment that promotes bacterial and fungal growth on the surface. This is particularly relevant for the textured ridge at the tip.

Pat the surface dry with a clean lint-free cloth first to remove surface water. Then allow to air dry for 10–15 minutes. If you’re in a hurry, pointing a fan at the device for a few minutes dries it quickly.

The Charging Contacts

After rinsing, dry the charging contacts with a cloth before attaching the magnetic charger. Charging with wet contacts won’t necessarily damage the device immediately, but moisture on metal contacts over time causes oxidation that can affect charging reliability.

Storage Location

Store the Lush in the fabric pouch it comes with, or in a dedicated storage bag for sex toys. Important storage considerations:

• Keep away from other silicone toys. Silicone can bond to silicone over extended storage contact, not melting, but a transfer of surface texture or a slight sticking that can damage both surfaces. Store each silicone toy separately, or use individual cloth pouches.
• Avoid plastic bags. Some plastics (particularly PVC and TPU) can react with silicone over extended contact, causing surface degradation. The cloth pouch that comes with the Lush is the correct option.
• Keep cool and dry. Heat accelerates both silicone degradation and battery degradation. A drawer away from direct sun is ideal.
• Away from dust. Silicone is slightly tacky and attracts dust and lint. Storing in a pouch prevents this.

Long-Term Storage

If the Lush won’t be used for several weeks or months:

• Clean thoroughly and dry completely before storage
• Charge to approximately 50% (not full, not empty), this is Lovense’s recommendation for long-term battery storage
• Store in the cloth pouch in a cool, dry location
• Check the charge level every few months if storing for an extended period, as lithium-ion cells self-discharge slowly

Maintenance for Longevity

Charging Habits

Battery maintenance is the most significant factor in the Lush’s long-term health. The built-in Li-ion battery cannot be replaced, so extending its useful life extends the device’s lifespan. Key habits:

• Charge before use when the battery is low, not as a constant background activity
• Don’t leave the device on the charger for hours after it’s full
• Avoid running the battery completely flat before charging
• Store at ~50% charge if not using for extended periods

For cam models who use the Lush regularly, establishing a consistent post-session routine, clean, dry, charge, keeps the device ready and maintains battery health.

Inspecting the Silicone

Periodically inspect the silicone surface for:

• Stickiness or tackiness: This can indicate surface degradation from incompatible cleaning products or silicone-based lube. If the surface has become permanently tacky, the silicone has been compromised and the device should be replaced.
• Discolouration: Some discolouration from lubricant or storage is normal and doesn’t affect function. Significant colour change can indicate chemical reaction with something the toy came into contact with.
• Tears or abrasions: Physical damage to the silicone surface can create rough areas that are difficult to clean and potentially irritating. Minor surface scratches from hard objects are worth avoiding, the cloth pouch protects against this.
• Loose or damaged ABS tail: The junction between the silicone body and the plastic tail is a stress point. Avoid bending or twisting the device aggressively. Check this area occasionally for any signs of separation.

Keeping the Magnetic Charger Clean

The magnetic charger’s contact end should be kept clean and dry. Residue from lubricant or body contact (if the charger is handled after use) on the magnetic contacts can reduce charging efficiency. Wipe the charger contacts with a clean dry cloth before each use.

Store the charger with the device rather than loose, keeping them together means you always have it when needed and reduces the chance of losing it.

When to Replace

The Lush has a practical lifespan of approximately 2–3 years under regular use with good care. Reasons to replace:

• Battery holds significantly less charge than when new (under 1 hour per full charge)
• Silicone surface has become permanently tacky or degraded
• Device doesn’t charge reliably
• Motor output has noticeably weakened

Lovense’s warranty page covers manufacturing defects for one year from purchase. Physical damage or normal wear is not covered. For Chaturbate performers and others who use the Lush professionally, treating it as equipment with a defined replacement cycle is practical planning.

Shared Use and Hygiene

Using With Partners

The Lush is designed as a personal use device. If sharing with a partner, clean thoroughly between each person’s use, soap and water as standard. For higher-level hygiene, some users place a non-lubricated condom over the silicone portion for shared use, removing and disposing of it between users and then cleaning the device. This is particularly relevant if either user has an active infection or if the toy is used anally and then vaginally.

Non-lubricated condoms (not pre-lubricated with spermicide) are compatible with silicone toys. Avoid lubricated condoms, as many use silicone-based lubricant as the coating.

Cleaning After Anal Use

If the Lush is used anally, the cleaning process is the same, soap and water, but should be more thorough and should be completed before any other use. The soap should cover all surfaces that came into contact with faecal bacteria. Do not use a device anally and then vaginally without cleaning, as this can transfer pathogens and cause infection.

Summary

Clean the Lovense Lush with mild antibacterial soap and warm water after every use. The IPX7 waterproofing makes rinsing safe and simple. Do not boil, steam clean, or use harsh chemicals. Dry thoroughly before storage. Keep the device in its cloth pouch away from other silicone toys, in a cool, dry location. Maintain the battery by charging before sessions rather than continuously, and store at 50% charge for long-term storage. With this routine, the Lush should deliver 2–3 years of reliable, hygienic use.