A Guide to How to (Properly) Clean Your Sex Toys | Sex Toys

Sex toys are a great investment for your personal pleasure, and the best way to make your toys last is to clean them properly and regularly.

Not washing your toy, using the wrong lubricant, or storing your toy incorrectly can not only damage the quality of your toy, but can also lead to a risk of infection for you or your partner.

Genitals are not “dirty,” but bacteria can build up on your toys and spread, so proper cleaning is important to avoid bacterial infection or transmission of bacteria. ISTSome STIs die once the fluid they live in dries up, but others, like hepatitis and scabies, can survive for weeks or months outside the body.

Not sure how to clean your toys? We have some tips to help you.

Most sex toys come with cleaning instructions, so be sure to check for tips or methods specific to your toy.

Buy our favorite sex toy cleaner here.

What material is your toy made of?

Just like laundry, sex toys made from different materials need to be cleaned in different ways.

Toys are made of many materials, but can be divided into two broad categories: porous and non-porous. You should be able to find the material of your toy on the packaging or on the manufacturer’s website.

Non-porous toys

Non-porous toys are made of silicone, glass, metal and hard ABS plastic.

Non-porous materials do not allow bacteria to pass through and are generally easy to clean.

You can wash non-porous toys with mild soap and water or with special sex toy spray/wipes. Some materials can be boiled, such as silicone, Pyrex (heat-resistant glass), and stainless steel.

Porous toys

Porous toys, on the other hand, are made from hard plastic, cyberskin, elastomer, gel rubber, nylon, vinyl, acrylic, leather, neoprene, and some hard plastics.

Porous materials are absorbent, which means they cannot be completely sterilized.

Since porous materials are sensitive to temperature and therefore prone to warping, they should only be washed with mild soap and lukewarm water.

Cleaning or sterilization

You should wash your toy after each use, whether you use it alone or with a partner.

Failure to do so may result in dried bodily fluids degrading or discoloring the material.

Additionally, storing an unwashed toy with other toys can contaminate them with bacteria. Washing your toy with soap and water cleans it, but it does not sterilize it!

To sterilize means to completely eliminate all bacteria, microbes and viruses.

You should sterilize toys after anal Use it if you have a yeast infection or if you share a toy with a partner. Even if your toy is only for vaginal use and you don’t have an infection, it’s still a good idea to sterilize it every now and then.

Only non-porous toys can be sterilized, and you must use an agent that will kill all germs: heat, bleach, or alcohol. If you do use bleach, a 10% bleach to water solution is best. Be sure to rinse well afterward!

Wash well

When washing your toys, use a mild, unscented hand or dish soap. Avoid antibacterial soaps, which can leave residue.

For a more discreet option, many sex toy brands also make toy cleaners in liquid or wipe form.

If you are washing a battery-operated or plug-in toy, DO NOT submerge it in water. Unless your toy is completely waterproof, this will damage the motor. Simply wipe it down with a warm, soapy cloth.

Use the right accessories (lubricant, condoms, etc.)

Silicone or oil based lubricants will stick to silicone toys and break down the material.

Instead, choose a water-based lubricant and make sure to always wash your toy after each use.

Some porous toys cannot be completely sterilized, so use a condom when using one with a partner.

Using the toy alone without a condom is okay, unless you have an infection or are switching from anal to vaginal play in the same session.

You should also always Use a condom with jelly toys, which contain potentially dangerous chemicals called phthalates.

Maintain your toys

Be sure to check your toys regularly for any irregularities that indicate it’s time to throw them away.

Pay attention to any loose seams or pitting on silicone toys, as these are signs that the toy is no longer non-porous.

Remove batteries from your toys when not in use: Leaving batteries inside can actually corrode the toy and reduce battery life.

Store toys properly

Finally, don’t toss your toys in your nightstand drawer. If they’re left out, they can come into contact with lint, pet hair, or other bacteria, which will then enter your body if you don’t wash them before using them.

Be smart and store your toys wrapped in cloth or a cloth bag and keep them in a safe, dry and relatively cool place.

Avoid using Tupperware or plastic bags as chemicals can leach into the toy over an extended period of time.

If you want an upgrade or have a lot of toys, many sex toy brands offer storage boxes specifically for toys.