With sex toys becoming an increasingly popular and celebrated part of modern wellness, their proper care is more important than ever. Adequate cleaning isn’t just about preserving your investment; it’s a fundamental aspect of sexual health. This complete guide will teach you everything you need to know. It will help you keep your sex toys safe and clean. This makes sure your play is healthy and fun.
Why Sex Toy Hygiene is Non-Negotiable (For Health, Pleasure, & Longevity)
Skipping the cleaning process might seem harmless, but it creates a significant health risk. Sex toys can easily become breeding grounds for harmful microorganisms. Body fluids, lubricants, and germs can build up on the surface. This helps bacteria, fungi, and viruses grow. This can cause many harmful and dangerous health problems. These include urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and bacterial vaginosis.
For those who share toys with a partner, the risks are even greater, as unclean toys can facilitate the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The reality is alarming: one survey revealed that 14% of participants have never cleaned their vibrator. Beyond health, regular cleaning maintains the integrity of your toys. Lubricants and body fluids can leave residue. This residue can damage some materials over time. It can make them sticky, discolored, or brittle. Consistent hygiene is the cornerstone of safe pleasure, ensuring your favorite items last for years to come.
The Golden Rule: Know Your Toy’s Material Before You Clean
Before you reach for any cleaning agent, the most critical step is to identify what your sex toy is made of. The material dictates the entire cleaning process—from the type of soap you can use to whether it can be sterilized with heat. Using the wrong method can, at best, be ineffective and, at worst, permanently damage your toy.
Sex toy materials are broadly categorized into two groups: porous and non-porous. This distinction is critical for hygiene. Non-porous materials have a smooth, sealed surface that does not contain microscopic holes. This makes them easy to clean and sanitize because bacteria and other microbes have nowhere to hide. Porous materials have tiny holes that can trap bacteria, fungi, and body fluids. This makes them very hard or sometimes impossible to clean completely. Understanding this difference is the key to preventing both infections and material degradation when learning how to clean your sex toys.
Non-Porous Materials: Generally Easiest to Clean & Sanitize
These are the gold standard for body-safe and hygienic sex toys. Their solid surfaces can be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with relative ease.
- Silicone (Body-Safe or Medical-Grade): Flexible, soft, and durable. It’s hypoallergenic and can often withstand high temperatures for sterilization.
- Glass: Non-porous, elegant, and easy to clean. It can be heated or cooled for temperature play.
- Stainless Steel & Other Metals: Body-safe, durable, and non-porous. Like glass, it can be sterilized with heat and used for temperature play.
- Hard Plastics (ABS, Acrylic): Rigid and non-porous, commonly used for vibrators and dildos. While easy to clean, they are generally not heat-safe.
Porous Materials: Handle with Extra Care & Specific Cleaning Protocols
These materials need more careful cleaning and are generally considered less hygienic. They can harbor bacteria within their structure, making complete sanitation a challenge.
- TPE/TPR (Thermoplastic Elastomer/Rubber): Often marketed as “lifelike,” these materials are soft and squishy but porous. They can degrade when exposed to certain oils or harsh cleaners.
- Jelly & Rubber: Older, cheaper materials that are highly porous and often contain phthalates. They are notoriously difficult to clean and can degrade quickly.
- Cyberskin: A very soft, realistic-feeling TPE material that is highly porous and requires gentle, specific care.
Your Essential Cleaning Routine: After Every Use
The most crucial rule of sex toy hygiene is to clean your sex toys after every single use, without exception. Cleaning immediately prevents bacteria from growing. It also prevents lubricant and other residues from setting in and damaging the material.
Surface Cleaning Basics: What You Need
For most toys, a simple cleaning kit is all you need.
- Warm Water: Avoid excessively hot or cold water, as extreme temperatures can damage sensitive materials or electronic components.
- Mild, Unscented Soap: A basic antibacterial hand soap or a gentle product, such as Castile soap, works well for most non-porous toys. Avoid harsh detergents, dish soap with degreasers, or anything with strong perfumes.
- Dedicated Sex Toy Cleaner: A specially formulated toy cleaner is the ideal choice for cleaning sex toys. These products are designed to be effective against bacteria while being safe for a wide range of toy materials, including sensitive silicone.
- A Clean, Lint-Free Cloth: For drying your toys thoroughly after washing.
Step-by-Step for Most Non-Porous Toys
Cleaning non-porous toys, such as those made of silicone, glass, or stainless steel, is straightforward.
- Rinse: Immediately after use, rinse the toy under warm running water to remove any lubricant or bodily fluids that may have accumulated.
- Lather: Apply a small amount of mild soap or a dedicated sex toy cleaner. Use your hands to work it into a lather, covering the entire surface of the toy. Pay attention to any crevices or textures that may be present.
- Rinse Again: Thoroughly rinse the toy under warm water until all soap residue is gone.
- Dry: Gently pat the toy completely dry with a clean, lint-free cloth, or let it air dry on a clean surface.
Handling Waterproof vs. Non-Submersible Sex Toys
Understanding your toy’s water resistance is vital.
- Waterproof Sex Toys: These are designed to be fully submerged. You can wash them directly under the tap without worry. Many modern silicone vibrators and dildos are fully waterproof.
- Non-Submersible Sex Toys: These toys, especially vibrators with removable batteries or charging ports that are not sealed, should never be submerged in water. To clean them, remove the batteries first. Use a damp cloth with soap or sex toy cleaner to wipe down the surface carefully, ensuring no water enters the electronic components, battery compartment, or charging port. Wipe clean with a damp cloth to remove any remaining soap residue before drying.
Deep Cleaning & Sanitizing: When and How to Go Further
While regular cleaning is sufficient for daily use, deep cleaning provides an extra level of sanitation. This is particularly important if you are sharing toys, have a compromised immune system, or simply want peace of mind.
Why Deep Clean? (Beyond Surface-Level Hygiene)
Deep cleaning, or sanitizing, aims to eliminate virtually all microbes, not just remove surface debris. This process kills lingering bacteria and viruses that might survive a simple wash, providing a higher level of safety. It’s a necessary step for specific materials and situations to ensure optimal hygiene.
Boiling: The Gold Standard for Select Non-Porous Materials
Boiling kills germs very well. You can only boil sex toys made of 100% silicone without electronic parts, glass, or stainless steel safely.
- Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil.
- Carefully place the toy in the water, ensuring it doesn’t touch the bottom of the pot (you can use tongs to hold it).
- Boil for 3-5 minutes.
- Carefully remove the toy with tongs and let it cool completely on a clean surface before drying.
Dishwasher (With Extreme Caution & Specific Materials)
Using a dishwasher is generally not recommended. The high heat and harsh detergents can damage most sex toys. However, some solid, non-vibrating toys made of silicone, glass, or stainless steel may be dishwasher-safe on the top rack. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions first. If you choose this method, use a gentle, fragrance-free detergent.
UV Light & UV-C Sterilisers: A Modern Disinfection Method
UV-C light sanitizing boxes or wands are a modern, chemical-free method for disinfecting toys. These devices use ultraviolet light to destroy bacteria and viruses. This is an excellent choice for a wide range of materials. Some materials cannot be boiled. Always check if the manufacturer says it is safe.
Disinfecting Wipes (For Quick Surface Disinfection)
Alcohol-free disinfecting wipes or dedicated sex toy cleaner wipes can be used for quick cleaning or wiping down toys that cannot be washed with water. Ensure the wipes are compatible with your toy’s material, as some chemicals can damage sensitive surfaces.
Detailed Cleaning for Specific Toy Types & Materials
Silicone Dildos, Vibrators, & Butt Plugs
Silicone is a versatile and body-safe material. Clean your sex toys with warm water and either a mild soap or a specialized toy cleaner. Silicone is durable and can often be boiled for sterilization (if it has no electronic parts). Avoid using silicone-based lubricants with silicone toys, as this can cause the material to break down over time.
Glass & Stainless Steel Toys
These materials do not have pores. They are very easy to clean. They can be washed with soap and water, boiled, or run through the dishwasher (top rack only, check instructions). Their durability makes them one of the safest and most hygienic options available.
Hard Plastic (ABS, Acrylic)
Clean ABS plastic toys with warm water and mild soap or a toy cleaner. Do not boil them or expose them to high heat, as this can cause the plastic to warp or melt. Be gentle to avoid scratching the surface.
TPE/TPR, Cyberskin, & Jelly Toys (Porous & Sensitive)
These porous materials require careful handling. Use only warm water and a mild, gentle soap or a cleaner specifically designed for these materials. Never boil them or use harsh chemicals. Because they can harbor bacteria, some users prefer to use them with a condom to simplify cleaning and enhance safety.
Hybrid Toys (Multiple Materials, Electronics)
For toys combining silicone heads with ABS plastic handles, or any toy with electronics, follow the rules for the most sensitive part. This usually means no submersion and no high heat. When learning how to clean sex toys, make sure to clean different sections according to their material, taking extreme care around buttons, charging ports, and seams where water could seep in. Always remove batteries before cleaning if possible.
The Crucial Steps: Proper Drying and Smart Storage
Your cleaning routine isn’t complete until your toys are properly dried and stored. These final steps are just as necessary as washing for maintaining hygiene and extending the life of your collection.
Why Thorough Drying is Non-Negotiable
A damp toy provides an ideal environment for bacteria and mold to grow. Even after a thorough washing, any remaining moisture can undo all your hard work. Always ensure your toys are 100% dry before putting them away. Pat them dry with a clean, lint-free towel or allow them to air dry entirely on a clean surface.
Smart Toy Storage for Longevity & Hygiene
Proper storage protects your toys from dust, damage, and degradation.
- Store Separately: Keep toys in individual cloth bags or containers. This prevents dust and lint from collecting on them. Crucially, it also stops different materials from reacting with each other. Storing a TPE toy next to a silicone one can cause the TPE to become sticky or melt.
- Cool, Dark Place: Store your collection in a drawer or box away from direct sunlight. UV rays can cause materials to fade, discolor, and break down over time.
- Remove Batteries: For toys with removable batteries, take them out before storage to prevent corrosion and accidental activation.
Troubleshooting Common Sex Toy Cleaning Challenges
Dealing with Lingering Odors
Porous materials, such as TPE and rubber, can sometimes retain odors. A thorough wash with a good toy cleaner may help. If smells stay, you can soak the toy in a water and vinegar mix for an hour. Make sure the toy can be submerged and is not electronic. Then rinse it well.
Sticky or Tacky Surfaces (Especially for TPE/TPR)
If TPE or TPR toys feel sticky, the material might be breaking down. This can happen if you use the wrong lubricant or cleaner. It can also occur if you store the toys improperly. To temporarily fix this, wash the toy thoroughly, dry it, and dust it lightly with pure cornstarch. Shake off the excess. This can restore the smooth texture, but the stickiness may return.
Stubborn Stains or Discoloration
Discoloration can occur due to the use of colored lubricants or from being stored near other toys. Unfortunately, most stains on porous materials are permanent. For non-porous materials like silicone, you can gently scrub them. This can remove some light stains. However, deep stains usually cannot be removed.
Conclusion: How To Properly Clean And Care For Sex Toys
Properly cleaning and caring for your sex toys is a simple yet profoundly important practice. It is the bridge between pleasure and health, ensuring that your explorations are safe, satisfying, and sustainable. If you understand your toy’s material and clean it after every use, you protect your body and your toy. Drying and storing it well also helps. The golden rules are straightforward:
- Know your material.
- Wash immediately after use with an appropriate cleaner like mild soap and water or a dedicated sex toy cleaner.
- Dry completely.
- Store correctly.
Learning how to clean sex toys is vital for ownership. It becomes a responsible and empowering part of your sexual health.