After sex, the last thing you want to do is rush to the sink and start cleaning your toys. But good toy care is non-negotiable if you want to avoid infections, keep your toys in tip top condition, and make sure they’re always ready to go the next time you are.
So, give yourself enough time to soak up the post-O glow—just promise us you won’t leave cleaning to tomorrow.
When you know how to clean sex toys properly, it’s easy to fit into your routine. This guide walks you through cleaning, storing, and maintaining your toys safely, from waterproof vibes to more delicate materials.
Care for your pleasure: Shop lubes and cleaners
Sex toy care in a nutshell…
- Clean after every use. Mild, unscented soap and warm water (or a designated toy cleaner) will do the trick for most toys.
- Know your materials. Silicone, stainless steel, and glass won’t trap bacteria if cleaned properly. They can also be disinfected, unlike jelly or rubber toys.
- Air dry fully before storage. Bacteria and mold both thrive wherever there’s trapped moisture.
- Store separately and safely. Keep toys in a cool, dry spot—ideally in individual pouches or cloth bags in a bedside drawer or closet.
- Avoid cross-contamination. Washing after every use and regular disinfection protects you from harmful bacteria. Use condoms on shared toys or anal toys for extra peace of mind and faster cleaning.
- Choose quality toys over cheaply produced ones. They’ll be better designed, more long-lasting, and easier to clean.
Why it’s important to clean and store sex toys properly
Let’s face it, sex toys get sticky with lube and bodily fluids when you use them. If you leave a toy unwashed, it’s going to breed bacteria and attract lint, dust, or even pet hair, which puts your body at risk of irritation and infections.
Beyond good hygiene, proper care will keep your toys feeling sensual on your skin, too. Clean, well-maintained toys will last longer, and you’ll be more inclined to use them—since you won’t be put off by any discoloration, marks, or dirty residue.
Lovehoney Fresh Toy Cleaner 3.4 fl oz
Magnetic charging USB cable
USB micro cable
We-Vibe Couples Advent Calendar
Premium 2 Raspberry
How often should you clean sex toys?
“Clean your sex toys after each use and allow them to dry completely before storing them away,” recommends sexologist, Dr. Jess O’Reilly. If you clean your toy right away, you won’t be tempted to put the task off and forget about it. And it’ll be much easier to clean up before the fluids dry on…
For toys that are used externally only, like bullet vibrators or wands, you can wipe these down after use with specially formulated sex toy wipes or baby wipes, followed by a deep clean once a week. If you use toys for penetration (especially anal play), you’ll need to wash and disinfect them properly after every use.
How to clean sex toys safely
Check the manual
Every toy is different, so take a minute to read the care instructions. Most sex toys will specify whether they’re waterproof, splashproof, or not water-resistant at all.
- Waterproof toys can usually be submerged in water for cleaning
- Splashproof toys can handle a rinse, but not immersion
- Non-water-resistant toys—especially those with charging ports or internal motors—should only be wiped down carefully with a damp cloth or sex toy wipes
If you’re unsure, keep it simple and avoid soaking your toy.
Remove detachable heads or sleeves
Some clitoral suction toys, like the ones from Womanizer, have a removable suction head. You can take this off and rinse it thoroughly with warm water to get rid of any residue.
The same goes for male toys with removable inner sleeves; you can often take this out of the case and run water through it, or turn it inside out to rinse thoroughly.
Wash thoroughly
For most toys, unfragranced soap and warm water are all you need. “Manufacturers will often recommend cleaners made for sex toys, but many folks just use water with mild, unscented soap,” says Dr. Jess.
For peace of mind, you can use mild antibacterial soaps—but avoid dish soap as it can contain cleaning agents that degrade materials like silicone.
If your toy is waterproof, you can submerge it in warm, soapy water and a clean cloth to gently wash it. Then, rinse away any soap before letting your toy dry.
For toys that aren’t fully waterproof, use a damp, soapy cloth to wipe down the surface. Rinse your cloth completely and use it to wipe away the soapy residue on your toy. Be careful that there’s no soap left over when you leave the toy to dry.
For an easy, no-rinse option, just spritz your toy with a sex toy cleaner like Lovehoney Fresh, and leave it to dry.
Air dry your toy completely
Avoid deeply unsexy mold growth by letting your toys air dry completely on a clean towel or rack before storing them. You can gently pat them down with a paper towel, but avoid rubbing, which can scratch surfaces or introduce lint.
“Drying with a paper towel is less like to leave fluffy residue versus a facecloth or regular bath towel,” says Dr. Jess. That’s because paper towels have smooth fibres, while bathroom towels have looped fibres.
You might be tempted to speed up the process with a heat source like a hair dryer or radiator but, please, resist! Excessive heat can warp the silicone and damage internal wiring.
Should you sterilize sex toys?
Yes, every now and then it’s a good idea to sanitize your toys to reduce germs to a safe level—but you can only do this if your toys are made from nonporous materials. To sanitize nonelectrical, waterproof toys, you can boil them for three to five minutes.
If your sex toys have electrical components, carefully prepare a diluted 10% bleach solution (1 part household bleach to 9 parts water). Wearing gloves, soak a clean cloth in the solution and use it to wipe down your toy. Be sure to wash the toy with soap and water afterwards, as you don’t want bleach near your delicate genital skin.
How often should you sterilize sex toys?
Depending on how often you use your toys, you could disinfect them once a week or twice a month, on top of regular cleaning.
Ideally, anal sex toys should be sanitized after every use, as you’re more at risk of getting an infection through anal play. It’s also best not to use the same sex toys for both vaginal and anal play, unless you’re going to disinfect them between every use. Even then, it’s a good idea to place a condom over the toy with each use, as this can add another layer of protection and reduce the risk of infection.
Finally, be sure to sanitize any toys you’re planning to use with a new partner, or multiple partners. For extra peace of mind, use a condom over any shared toys.
What you need to know about sex toy materials
Different materials call for different cleaning techniques. Here’s a quick guide:
- Body-safe silicone: It’s nonporous, so it won’t trap bacteria when cleaned properly. Wash with warm water and mild soap or sterilize it following the instructions above.
- Hard plastic (ABS): It’s also nonporous but can get damaged by boiling or harsh solvents. Stick to regular washing with warm water and mild soap.
- Stainless steel or borosilicate glass: It’s nonporous and highly durable, making it the easiest material to clean and sterilize. On top of regular washing, boil your toys for three to five minutes, twice a month.
- Jelly, rubber, or PVC: These porous materials can trap bacteria and odors. Wash with room temperature water (not hot) and mild soap or sex toy cleaner. These toys can’t be fully sterilized, so use a condom if you’re using them for penetration.
- SuperSkin and other “realistic” materials: Found in strokers such as Fleshlight (you might have also heard of Cyberskin or TPE). Skip soap—it can degrade the material. Instead, rinse thoroughly with water, apply a dedicated sex toy cleaner, and dust with renewal powder or cornstarch to maintain the soft, supple texture.
Which sex toys can go in the dishwasher?
How to store sex toys properly
Store sex toys separately
Cheap rubber and jelly toys can become sticky if you store them together, and even high-quality silicone toys may get damaged if they’re stored with other silicone toys.
To avoid a melted mess in your nightstand drawer, it’s best to store your toys in separate cloth bags. “We-Vibe and Womanizer products, for example, come with a smooth storage bag, which makes it easy to tuck them away,” says Dr. Jess.
A nice satin or cotton bag will also protect your toy from scratches or discoloration.
Keep them somewhere cool and dry
Once they’re tucked away in their cloth bags, be mindful where you ultimately stash your toys. “Avoid storing toys in direct sunlight or near heat sources that can degrade materials like silicone […] or high moisture areas, like under a sink, where you’re more prone to leaks and mold,” says Dr. Jess.
You might have a dedicated box that goes under the bed or in your wardrobe—perfect! So long as your toys aren’t at risk of getting crushed by other heavy objects, like shoes or hair-styling tools, you’re golden.
Find an organization system that works for you
You might want your toys to be hidden away somewhere discreet, especially if you have children at home or roommates. But if they’re too discreet, i.e. locked away on a high shelf, you might never bother to fetch them down. And that would be a tragedy.
Find somewhere that’s easy to get to in the heat of the moment, such as the top drawer of your dresser or a chest at the end of the bed. That way, you’re more inclined to pick up your toys and make the most of what they’ve got to offer.
“Organizationally, you likely want to store your toys based on usage with your go-tos easily accessible,” says Dr. Jess. So, if you’ve got a trusty wand that never fails to get you there, keep that near the top along with your lubes and toy-safe wipes.
More sex toy care tips
- Use water-based when you play as it won’t degrade silicone toys (unlike silicone lube).
- Remove disposable batteries before storage to prevent leaking or corrosion.
- Avoid wrapping charging cables tightly around your toys. It can damage the surface of your toy and may even cause the cables to become frayed.
- Keep toys in their original case or a soft zip pouch when you travel as this will help prevent scratches or marks.
- Replace your toy if the surface becomes sticky, discolored, or develops cracks.
- Charge toys fully before storing for long periods and unplug once charged to protect the battery life.
- Avoid surface wipes designed for household cleaning as these contain harsh cleaning agents. Baby wipes are okay for a temporary clean but be sure to follow up with soap and water before you play next.
Choosing sex toys that are easy to care for
Keeping your sex toys clean and storing them properly will help ensure they have a long life. You can also avoid some issues by choosing your toys carefully.
Look for waterproof designs with magnetic charging points, as these will be much easier to wash regularly. Nonporous materials like body-safe silicone, stainless steel, and borosilicate glass are also much more hygienic, since bacteria won’t stay trapped in the surface of the toy after thorough cleaning, and you can easily disinfect them.
Remember that cheap toys may end up costing you more in the long run, particularly if they’re made from porous plastics. Trusted brands like We-Vibe and Womanizer use top quality materials and do extensive user testing to make sure your toys (and your Os) keep giving. They even come with cute little storage bags to keep your favorite toys safe.
