Wood Plug Care 101

At The Plug Crate, we're obsessed with organic materials, one of our personal favorites being wood. Aside from wood coming in a wide range of tones and types, our fondness stems from the versatility and the endless style options for plugs and tunnels. Wood also tends to be healthier for stretched ears than other materials, lets the skin breathe and helps eliminate odors. With that being said, and for all praise that we have for wood, one major disadvantage of wood plugs is they require more care to ensure they stay clean and in great shape. Below we've included some do's and don'ts of caring for your plugs.

DO wash your plugs with a mild non-chemical soap in case there is any bacteria or dirt on them. Dial, or tea tree oil will do the trick! (Just make sure to do a spot skin test if you use tea tree oil to ensure no allergic reaction). Ideally, you'll want to do this before you ever wear your new additions.

DO wax your plugs with beeswax on a regular basis. (You can use a soft toothbrush to distribute the wax and carefully rub it into the wood). This helps to moisturize and polish the wood. You'll then want to finish them off with a drop of vitamin E, or alternatively jojoba, or mineral oil. Doing so every other week should be sufficient for plugs worn on a daily basis. Additionally, if you find your plugs becoming coarse or rough, use 600 grit sandpaper to buff and smooth the surface.

DO NOT wear your plugs in the pool, sauna or even the shower. When wood gets wet, it expands and then when it dries, it shrinks again. Over time, this can cause damage to your plugs.

DO NOT collect or store your plugs near a heat source or direct sunlight. This will dry out the wood.