The Clean-Up Crew: How to Properly Clean Your Sex Toys

We all know that playtime doesn’t end when the fun is over—there’s a little post-action responsibility we can’t skip: washing your sex toys! Whether you’re enjoying a solo session or sharing the experience with a partner, giving your toys the proper care and attention after each use isn’t just about keeping them sparkling—it’s about keeping you safe, too.

Think about it: your toys get up close and personal, and the last thing you want is to leave them harboring bacteria, lube residue, or other unwanted guests. A good cleaning routine ensures your sex toy stays in tip-top shape, ready for action whenever the mood strikes. Plus, learning how to clean your sex toys can extend their lifespan (and trust us, you want to keep your favorites around for the long haul!).

Close-up of bullet vibrator being washed under tap

The Simple Start to Toy Cleaning

For most toys, a simple wash with warm water and mild soap is enough to do the trick. This soap can be hand soap, a bar of soap, body soap, or even a toy cleaner. This combo can effectively break down most of the residue and bacteria left behind, leaving your toy fresh and clean for next time. Sometimes toys have grooves or crevices, so it’s important to pay attention to how you clean those areas of your sex toys to ensure there is not an unwanted buildup. To assist with these crevasses, a soft bristle brush or old toothbrush can come in handy when washing sex toys.

With that being said, not all toys are created equal—some require a little extra love and care to ensure they’re not only clean, but also last to their fullest extent, bringing you pleasure over and over to their fullest capacity. From motors to porous materials, some of your faves need more than just a simple splash of water and a scrub.

Specific Cleaning Guides

How to Clean Different Types of Sex Toys

Below are some sex toy care tips as well as how to disinfect certain sex toys depending on the material they are made of or their motorized components. Every toy will have its own special unique qualities, so you may need to refer to more than one section depending on the toy.

1. Porous Materials (e.g., Jelly, Rubber, TPE, or PVC)

Even after a quick scrub, how clean are your sex toys, really? Materials like rubber, TPE, PVC, and jelly are porous, meaning they can trap bacteria in tiny holes or crevices, making them harder to fully sanitize. Soap and water work for a quick clean, but you may want to periodically give them some designated time using a specialized toy cleaner designed for porous toys. Since these toys are primarily made of plastics, do not boil them as they can melt or degrade over time.

2. Battery-Operated or Non-Waterproof Toys

Anything with a battery compartment, electronic components, or that isn’t waterproof for any other reason, can’t be submerged. This can make it tricky to figure out how to clean your sex toy thoroughly. Washing such sex toys requires some extra attention. Clean the non-motorized parts with a damp cloth and mild soap. For the motorized or electronic parts, use a toy cleaner spray or disinfecting wipes that are safe for intimate products. Be mindful of any crevices around the battery compartment and dry them thoroughly after cleaning.

3. Silicone Toys

If you’re wondering how to properly clean your silicone sex toys, they are non-porous and easy to clean as long as they do not have a motor, and are waterproof. Washing your sex toy with basic soap and water will work for everyday cleaning. But if you’re using a toy cleaner, stay away from anything alcohol-based or oil-based since it will cause the silicone material to break down. For a deeper clean that you can do every now and then, silicone toys can be boiled for 3-5 minutes to sanitize them. Once removed from the boiling water, let the toy cool and wash with soap and water. Something to watch out for with silicone is that depending on the manufacturer, discoloration could happen from heat exposure.

4. Glass, Steel, or Metal Toys

These materials are non-porous and can handle more intensive cleaning, but you need to ensure that you’re handling them safely. Here are a few ways how you can clean sex toys made of glass, steel, or metal.

You can boil glass dildos or steel toys (as long as they don’t have motors!) or run them through the top rack of your dishwasher with no soap or dishes. Just the clean water and heat will disinfect your toys—but be mindful of the temperature when handling. These toys retain heat for longer time periods so ensure they have cooled down before handling to avoid burns! If boiling or dishwashing isn’t an option, use soap and water and then wipe down with an alcohol solution to sanitize.

5. Realistic (Cyberskin, FantaFlesh, or Ultra-Realistic Materials)

These lifelike materials are super soft and delicate, making them prone to damage from harsh chemicals or rough handling. Here’s how to properly clean realistic dildos and sex toys. Washing them is only recommended with warm water, mild soaps, and gentle scrubbing. When drying, air drying is best, but if you are looking for a quick turnaround time, pat dry with a clean and soft cloth. Once dry, apply a renewal powder to keep them from feeling sticky and to ensure they maintain their lifelike texture. This renewal powder is often cornstarch-based and is a product you can either purchase or use cornstarch at home! There are also alternative powders available for those with corn allergies.

6. Leather or Fabric Toys (e.g., Harnesses, Bondage Gear, Restraints)

How you clean leather sex toys is crucial to their longevity. Leather and fabrics can absorb moisture, bacteria, and even body oils, making them more challenging to clean without damaging the material. Use a damp cloth with mild soap to gently wipe the leather or fabric. For leather items, follow up with a leather conditioner to prevent it from drying out or cracking. Fabric items, if possible, can be hand-washed or put in a laundry bag on a gentle cycle. Air-dry leather and fabric toys thoroughly and avoid storing them in damp or humid environments to prevent mold or mildew. We also recommend keeping these products out of direct sunlight as they dry as materials like leather or vinyl can discolor or even crack in the sun.

Cleaning Conclusion

Love, Clean, Repeat

Learning how to properly clean your sex toys isn’t just a nice-to-do—it’s a must-do for anyone who wants to keep things safe, fresh, and fun for every round. Whether your toy needs a quick rinse with soap and water or a more thorough cleaning, showing your toys a little post-play care ensures they’re always ready for action when you are. And trust us, they’ll thank you for it by lasting longer and staying in top shape!

But when washing your sex toys with soap and water just won’t cut it, we can show you how to clean your sex toys thoroughly. We’ve got you covered with our range of specially formulated toy cleaners, designed to give your favorite playthings the deep clean they deserve—without any harsh chemicals that could damage the materials. Ready to keep things fresh and fun for the long haul? Check out our cleaners now and give your toys the care they need!

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