By Valerie Zwiers
Last updated: July 22, 2026
To clean sex toys safely: rinse before and after every use with warm water and a body-safe toy cleaner (never scented soap), dry completely, store separately, and match your lube to your toy's material.
Buying a beautiful new toy is exciting. Cleaning it afterward? Slightly less so. But hygiene is the unsexy half of pleasure, and skipping it doesn't just shorten your toy's lifespan — it can cause irritation, infections, or worse. The good news: caring for your toys correctly takes about ninety seconds and a little know-how. Here's the only guide you'll need.
If you're brand-new to toys altogether, start with our no-blush guide to picking your first vibrator so you're choosing a body-safe piece in the first place.
In a hurry? Our body-safe Cleansing Foam toy cleaner handles every material in this guide — hand-picked by Val and shipped discreetly from the U.S.
Why does cleaning your toys actually matter?
Sex toys come into contact with the most porous, sensitive parts of your body. Bacteria, residual lube, and bodily fluids cling to every nook and crevice. Public-health guidance from the CDC on safer sex practices agrees on the basics: clean shared items, avoid moving items between the anus and vagina without sanitizing, and use barriers when appropriate. If a toy isn't cleaned thoroughly, you risk:
- Yeast or bacterial infections (a common cause of "I keep getting BV and I don't know why")
- UTIs from anal-to-vaginal contamination
- Material breakdown that leaves your toy sticky, gummy, or chemically unsafe
- Faster wear on motors and seals
The cleaning routine depends almost entirely on what your toy is made of. Let's break it down.
What are the materials to know?
Body-safe materials
These are the gold standard. They're nonporous, nontoxic, and easy to clean:
- Medical-grade silicone: The most popular for a reason. Soft, durable, easy to sanitize.
- Borosilicate glass: Stunning, weighty, and virtually indestructible if cared for.
- ABS plastic (hard, smooth): Common in vibrator handles and bullet motors. Easy to wipe down.
Materials to approach cautiously
These are porous, meaning they can trap bacteria and degrade over time:
- Jelly or PVC
- "TPR" or "TPE" blends
- Cyberskin and similar realistic materials
If you have toys made of these materials, use them with a condom and replace them more often. Better yet, upgrade to silicone whenever you can.
Cleaning method by material — which one applies to your toy?
| Material | Everyday clean | Deep sanitize | Lube pairing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone (100%, non-motorized) | Toy cleaner + warm water | Thorough wash with warm water + dedicated toy cleaner | Water-based |
| Silicone (motorized) | Toy cleaner + damp cloth | 70% isopropyl wipe (don't submerge) | Water-based |
| Glass (borosilicate) | Warm water + cleaner | Thorough wash with warm water + dedicated toy cleaner | Any |
| ABS plastic (hard) | Wipe with cleaner | Isopropyl wipe | Water-based |
| Jelly / PVC / TPE | Warm water + mild cleaner; condom during use | Cannot fully sanitize — replace | Water-based |
What's the basic cleaning routine?
For most toys, you'll want a quick rinse before and after every use. Here's how to do it right.
Step 1: Read the manual
Yes, that little card you tossed in the drawer. Some toys are fully waterproof. Others are splash-resistant only. Knowing the difference saves your motor.
Step 2: Use the right cleanser
Skip soap entirely — dish soap, bar soap, anything fragranced. Soap residue can irritate delicate skin and throw off your natural balance. Stick with:
- A dedicated toy cleaner (best option, designed for sensitive skin)
- Warm water alone for quick refreshes between solo sessions
Step 3: Clean thoroughly
Work the cleanser over the toy with a soft cloth, paying attention to seams, ridges, and the base. For waterproof toys, you can rinse fully. For splash-resistant motors, use a damp cloth and avoid submerging.
Step 4: Dry completely
Air-dry on a clean towel. Sealing a damp toy in a drawer or pouch is how mildew happens. (Yes, really.)
When should you sanitize, not just clean?
Sanitizing is a step beyond regular cleaning. You'll want to do it:
- Before sharing a toy with a new partner
- After anal use if you plan to use the toy elsewhere
- If you've had any infection
- If a toy has been stored a long time
For 100% silicone or glass toys without motors, give them a thorough, unhurried wash with warm water and a dedicated adult toy cleaner, working over every seam and ridge, then dry completely. For motorized toys, wipe with a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe instead — never submerge.
What are the basics of storage?
How you store your toys matters almost as much as how you clean them. The basics:
- Separate silicone toys from each other when storing. Two unprotected silicone toys in contact can chemically react over time and turn sticky.
- Use individual cloth bags or breathable pouches — our Bioshield 75 Toy Tote is purpose-built and antimicrobial.
- Keep toys in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Remove batteries from non-rechargeables before long-term storage to prevent corrosion. (Lost the cable to a rechargeable? Grab a replacement PureCharge USB-C cord so the toy doesn't go in the drawer permanently.)
What about lubricant compatibility?
Using the wrong lube can ruin a toy in a single session. The general rule:
- Silicone toys: Use water-based lubes. Silicone-based lubes can break down silicone toys.
- Glass: Anything goes — silicone, water-based, oil-based.
- Hard ABS plastic: Water-based is safest.
If you're new to lube, our complete lubricant guide walks through every option.
When should you replace a toy?
Even well-cared-for toys don't last forever. Replace yours when you notice:
- Cracks, peeling, or tears in the surface
- A persistent smell that doesn't wash out
- Sticky residue that returns even after cleaning
- Motor weakness, charging issues, or unusual sounds
- Discoloration or material softening
Where can I learn more?
- Toy Care 101: How to Clean & Store Your Toys
- Body-Safe Sex Toy Materials
- How to Pick Your First Vibrator
What's the takeaway?
Caring for your toys is genuinely simple once it becomes a habit. Rinse before, rinse after, dry completely, store safely, and pair with the right lube. Do that, and your toys last longer, feel better, and keep your body happy. Pleasure should never come with a side of irritation — and now it doesn't have to.
