Buying a great sex toy is only half the equation. How you clean it, store it, and care for it determines how long it lasts, how safe it is to use, and whether it continues to perform the way it did on day one. Yet toy care is one of the most overlooked topics in the sex toy world — most people give their new purchase a quick rinse and call it a day.
This guide covers everything you need to know about cleaning and maintaining your sex toys properly — from the basics of material-specific care to storage, battery maintenance, and when it's time to retire a toy for good. Done right, a quality toy can last years. Done wrong, even an expensive one can become unsafe within months.
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If you're not sure what materials your toys are made from or why it matters, our blog Top 5 Myths About Sex Toys Debunked covers material safety in detail — a great read alongside this one.
Why Cleaning Your Toys Properly Actually Matters
Sex toys come into contact with some of the most sensitive areas of the human body. Bacteria, yeast, and other microorganisms can survive on toy surfaces — particularly porous ones — and cause infections if toys aren't cleaned correctly. This applies to toys used solo as well as those shared between partners.
Beyond hygiene, proper cleaning also extends the life of your toy. Residue buildup, body fluids, and lube left on a surface over time can degrade materials, dull finishes, and cause motors to work harder than they need to. A well-maintained toy simply works better for longer.
The golden rule is simple: clean before and after every single use, no exceptions.
Know Your Material First
The single most important factor in cleaning a sex toy is the material it's made from. Different materials require different approaches — and using the wrong method can damage your toy or leave it less clean than before. Here's a quick breakdown:
- Silicone — the most common material for quality toys. Non-porous, body-safe, and easy to clean. Can be boiled, run through a dishwasher (top rack, no detergent), or wiped with a 10% bleach solution for full sterilization — but only if the toy has no motor or electronic components.
- ABS plastic — hard, non-porous, and straightforward to clean with warm water and mild soap. Cannot be boiled.
- Borosilicate glass — non-porous and extremely easy to sterilize. Can be boiled or put in the dishwasher. Handle with care to avoid chips or cracks.
- Stainless steel — non-porous and highly durable. Can be boiled, bleached, or dishwashed. One of the easiest materials to keep hygienically clean.
- Porous materials (jelly, TPR, TPE, rubber, PVC) — these cannot be fully sterilized regardless of how thoroughly you clean them. Bacteria can survive inside the material itself. If you own porous toys, always use them with a condom and replace them regularly.
How to Clean Motorized and Electronic Toys
Most vibrators, app-controlled toys, and rechargeable devices have electronic components that cannot be submerged in water — even if the toy itself is waterproof. Always check the manufacturer's instructions before cleaning any motorized toy.
- Waterproof toys — can be rinsed under running water. Use warm water and a small amount of mild, unscented soap or a dedicated toy cleaner. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a clean cloth.
- Non-waterproof toys — never submerge. Instead, dampen a clean cloth with warm water and toy cleaner and wipe down all surfaces thoroughly. Pay extra attention to ridges, texture, and any areas where fluid may collect.
- Charging ports — keep these dry at all times. Moisture in charging ports can damage the electronics and shorten the toy's lifespan significantly.
- USB connections — disconnect and dry the charging cable before cleaning. Never clean a toy while it's charging.
If you use your toy anally, cleaning requirements are more stringent — a dedicated toy cleaner with antibacterial properties is strongly recommended. Our blog Best Anal Toys for Beginners: Safe, Comfortable & Fun Options covers hygiene alongside toy selection.
How to Clean Non-Motorized Toys
Non-motorized toys made from body-safe materials — silicone dildos, glass wands, stainless steel plugs — are the easiest to clean and sterilize. Because there are no electronics to protect, you have far more options.
- Boiling — place the toy in boiling water for 3–5 minutes. This kills virtually all bacteria and is the most thorough cleaning method available for non-porous materials.
- Dishwasher — top rack, no detergent, no heated dry cycle. Works well for silicone, glass, and stainless steel toys.
- Bleach solution — a 10% bleach to water solution applied to the toy surface and rinsed thoroughly is highly effective for full sterilization.
- Soap and water — for day-to-day cleaning, warm water and mild unscented soap is perfectly sufficient between deeper cleans.
If you're using glass or stainless steel toys, inspect them carefully before each use. Any chip, crack, or rough edge on a glass toy means it should be retired immediately — damaged glass is a serious safety risk.
Lube and Your Toys — What You Need to Know
The lubricant you use affects both how your toy performs and how easy it is to clean. The most important rule: never use silicone-based lube with silicone toys. Silicone lube can bond with the surface of silicone toys, causing degradation, tackiness, and a breakdown of the material over time.
For silicone toys, always use a water-based lubricant. Water-based lube is also the easiest to clean off any toy surface — it rinses away cleanly without leaving residue. If you want something longer-lasting, a hybrid lube can work with most silicone toys, but always do a spot test first. Our blog What's Hybrid Lube and Why Do You Need It? explains the differences in detail.
For glass and stainless steel toys, any lube type is compatible — but water-based remains the easiest to clean off.
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Final Thoughts
Caring for your sex toys properly isn't complicated — it just takes a little consistency. Clean before and after every use, store each toy separately in a breathable pouch, choose the right lube for your material, and keep an eye out for signs of wear. Do these things and your toys will reward you with years of safe, reliable performance.
If you're building your collection and want guidance on what to buy, our Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Sex Toys is the best place to start. And as always, if you have any questions, contact us — we're here to help, judgment free.
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