How to Clean and Store Your Sex Toys
How to Clean and Store Your Sex Toys
Keeping sex toys clean isn’t just about hygiene (though that matters a great deal). Cleaning them properly after every use also extends their working life significantly. A well-maintained toy will outlast a neglected one by years.
This guide covers the right cleaning method for each material type, what to avoid, battery care, and how to store toys so they stay in good condition.
Before You Start: Know Your Material
Different materials need different cleaning approaches. Using the wrong products can damage the surface of a toy and make it unsafe to use. The broad split is between non-porous materials (hard plastic, silicone, glass, metal, stainless steel) and porous materials (jelly rubber, latex, CyberSkin and similar realistic skin materials). Non-porous surfaces don’t absorb bacteria; porous surfaces do, which is why thorough cleaning matters more with those materials.
Waterproof vs Non-Waterproof Toys
Before cleaning any vibrating toy, check whether it’s fully waterproof or just splash resistant.
Fully waterproof toys can be cleaned without removing the batteries. Splash-resistant and non-waterproof toys must have the batteries removed before cleaning. Never submerge a non-waterproof toy in water and take care around the battery compartment specifically. If any moisture gets into it, wipe it completely dry before closing and storing.
Cleaning by Material Type
Silicone
Silicone is non-porous and one of the easiest materials to clean. Wipe down with warm water and antibacterial soap, or use a sex toy cleaner spray. Non-motorised solid silicone toys (dildos, butt plugs) can be boiled in water for three minutes for full sterilisation, or run through the dishwasher without detergent. Do not do this with any toy that has a motor.
Hard and Smooth Plastic
Wipe clean with a soft cloth and warm water with antibacterial soap, or sex toy cleaner. Dry with a clean cloth or soft tissue. Remove all soap residue before storing. Avoid perfumed soaps as residues left on the toy can cause vaginal thrush on next use. Alcohol can be used to sterilise hard plastic surfaces.
Glass and Metal
Both are fully non-porous and very easy to clean. Wash with warm water and antibacterial soap, or use sex toy cleaner. Non-motorised glass and metal toys can be boiled or run through the dishwasher. Dry thoroughly to prevent water marks on glass.
Jelly Rubber and Latex
These porous materials are more susceptible to harbouring bacteria than non-porous alternatives, so thorough cleaning is particularly important. Wash with warm water and antibacterial soap or sex toy cleaner. Dry with a clean soft cloth. For latex toys specifically, use an alcohol-free cleaner as alcohol degrades latex over time.
CyberSkin and Realistic Skin Materials
These realistic materials (also sold as Real Feel, UR3, PleasureSkin and similar names) have textured surfaces with a lot of crevices where bacteria can collect. Use warm water and sex toy cleaner applied to the surface and work it in gently. Dry with a lint-free anti-static cloth. Once completely dry, apply a thin dusting of cornflour to the surface. This stops the material from becoming tacky and makes it feel soft again for next use. Do not use talcum powder as it can cause irritation.
General Cleaning Rules
- Clean toys before first use, even if they’re new and packaged
- Clean immediately after every use, not the next day
- Use unscented, hypoallergenic soap if you’re not using dedicated sex toy cleaner
- Dry thoroughly before putting away
- If you’re sharing a toy between partners or using the same toy for anal and vaginal use, put a condom on it to eliminate cross-contamination risk
Storing Your Toys
How you store toys affects both their longevity and your privacy. A few rules that matter:
Store in a dry, dark place. A drawer, wardrobe shelf or shoebox all work well. Direct sunlight can fade colours and degrade some materials over time. Moisture is a risk for battery compartments and can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
Wrap or bag each toy individually. Storing different toys touching each other can cause problems. Certain materials react with others on contact, causing staining, surface degradation or sticky residue. Silicone toys should especially not touch other silicone toys during storage. Individual soft bags or the original packaging solve this. Velvet pouches are ideal. Plastic bags work but check that porous materials aren’t sticking to the plastic before sealing.
Store at room temperature. Extremes of heat or cold can affect both the material and the motor of vibrating toys.
Remove batteries after every use. Batteries left in toys can corrode or leak acid over time, which will destroy the battery compartment permanently. Removing them also prevents the toy from accidentally switching on in a drawer and draining the battery or burning out the motor.
When reinserting batteries, make sure they’re secured properly in the compartment before use.
