Your sex toys deserve a little TLC. Cleaning your toys isn't the sexiest part of the fun, but it might be the most important. A quick wash keeps things hygienic, protects your body, and helps your favorites last for years. Neglect it, and even a gorgeous toy can turn into a germ trap, or worse, get ruined for good. As a brand that designs and makes its own sex toys, we know a thing or two about cleaning and storing every type, so they're always ready when you are.
Key Takeaways
- Clean your toys before and after every use to keep them hygienic
- Non-porous materials like silicone, glass, and stainless steel are the easiest to clean
- Warm water and a mild, unscented soap handle most toys
- Never submerge battery-operated toys; wipe them down instead
- Always let toys air dry, then store them somewhere dry and breathable
- Use a condom on shared toys to keep play safe
Why Cleaning Your Toys Matters
Here's the thing: a toy that goes unwashed can harbor bacteria, and that's where trouble starts. Leftover fluids and lube create the perfect environment for germs to grow, which can raise your risk of urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and general irritation. Porous toys are especially prone to trapping germs below the surface. Sharing a dirty toy can even pass along sexually transmitted infections. And skipping proper cleaning and storage can ruin your toys, too. None of that is fun. Besides, cleaning a toy only takes a minute. That's a no-brainer for us.
Know Your Material
Before you clean your sex toy, get to know what it's made of, because the material sets the rules. Non-porous materials like silicone, glass, and stainless steel are body-safe and easy to clean, since bacteria stay on the surface and rinse right off. Porous materials like jelly rubber and TPE are trickier, because their tiny holes can trap germs even after washing. This is exactly why we make all of our vibez from body-safe, non-porous silicone toys that are simple to keep fresh.
When in doubt, check the label, and always follow the maker's care instructions.
How to Clean Sex Toys, Step by Step
Here's the routine.
- Start with soap and water. For non-electronic toys, warm water and a mild, unscented hand soap are all you need. Lather gently, pay attention to any ridges or seams, then rinse well. Skip anything heavily scented or antibacterial, since harsh formulas can irritate sensitive skin.
- Mind the electronics. Rechargeable and battery-operated toys should never be submerged, because water can wreck the motor. Instead, wipe them down with a damp, soapy cloth, then go over them again with a clean, damp cloth to remove the suds. Check whether your toy is water resistant or fully waterproof first, since that tells you how much water it can handle.
- Deep clean when needed. If your toy is 100% silicone, glass, or stainless steel with no electronics, you can boil it for a few minutes for a deeper clean. Let it cool on its own rather than shocking it under cold water, which can damage the material.
- Dry it right. Let your toy air dry completely, or pat it with a clean, lint-free cloth. Skip regular bath towels, which can leave fibers behind that irritate sensitive spots. Then, store it properly. More on that below.
How to Store Sex Toys the Right Way
Clean toys need a clean home. Once your toy is fully dry, store it somewhere cool, dark, and away from dust and moisture, which is how you keep bacteria from moving back in. A breathable cotton pouch beats a sealed plastic bag, especially for silicone. Keep toys from touching each other, since some materials react when stored together. Give internal toys like butt plugs their own breathable pouch, and you're set to store sex toys the smart way.
Play Safe When Sharing
Sharing can be part of the fun, so do it safely. The simplest move is to roll a condom onto a shared toy and swap it out between partners, or whenever you switch from one area of the body to another, like going from anal to vaginal play. According to Cleveland Clinic, using a condom on toys and accessories helps prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections.1 Wash the toy thoroughly afterward, and everyone stays happy and healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean sex toys?
For most toys, warm water and a mild, unscented soap do the job. Wash before and after use, paying attention to seams and ridges, then rinse well and air dry. For battery-operated toys, wipe them down rather than submerging them. Always check the manufacturer's care instructions first.
Can you use regular soap and water on sex toys?
Yes, a gentle, unscented hand soap and warm water work well for most toys. Avoid heavily scented or antibacterial soaps, since they can irritate sensitive skin. For non-porous materials like silicone, glass, and stainless steel, soap and water is usually all you need to keep things clean.
How do you clean battery-operated or waterproof toys?
Never submerge a battery-operated toy, since water can damage the motor. Wipe it with a damp, soapy cloth, then a clean, damp cloth to remove any residue. If your toy is labeled fully waterproof, you can rinse it, but always confirm whether it's water resistant or waterproof before you do.
How often should you clean your sex toys?
Every single time you use them, both before and after. Fresh fluids and lube can harbor bacteria quickly, so a fast wash after each session keeps your toy hygienic. If a toy has been sitting in storage for a while, give it a quick rinse before use too.
How should you store sex toys?
Once fully dry, keep your toys in a cool, dry spot away from dust and sunlight. A breathable cotton pouch is ideal, and it's smart to store toys separately so materials don't react. Proper storage keeps them clean and ready between uses.
Final Thoughts On Cleaning Your Sex Toys
Taking care of your toys is one of the easiest ways to take care of yourself. A little soap and water, a proper air dry, and smart storage keep every toy safe, fresh, and ready when you are. Start with body-safe materials, clean before and after each use, and always play safe when sharing. Ready to build a collection worth pampering? Explore our body-safe vibez and keep the good times rolling.
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