I soak mine in very hot sink water but the handle never gets wet. In other words the knot base never gets hot. I face lather, shake the heck out it to get the water out, and then stand it hair up until the next day. IMO the best thing you can do is keep the base out of heat and as dry as possible. We all know if you start having problems in those places where the sun don't shine you got big problems :<0)