Here's How to Properly Clean Your Sex Toys, According to Experts

I love my sex toys but, in full disclosure, I’m not much of a cleaner. But just like I can’t ignore the dirty dishes in my sink, I can’t ignore cleaning my sex toys because, well, it’s gross — and because knowing how to properly clean your sex toys is pretty important when it comes […]

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I love my sex toys but, in full disclosure, I’m not much of a cleaner. But just like I can’t ignore the dirty dishes in my sink, I can’t ignore cleaning my sex toys because, well, it’s gross — and because knowing how to properly clean your sex toys is pretty important when it comes to both extending their lifespan and keeping you healthy.

“If you’re using a toy when there are bodily fluids involved, it can pick up bacteria, and when you use that same toy again without cleaning it, you’re spreading those bacteria into your body, which can lead to UTIs, yeast and fungal infections, [and] bacterial vaginosis (BV),” sex educator Lisa Finn tells SheKnows.

Not to mention, if you’re sharing toys with a partner who has an STI without thorough disinfecting or barrier usage, “There’s a risk you could end up with it too, or pass it along to someone else. In the case of anal toys, you can transmit gastrointestinal illnesses like shigella or E. coli,” Finn says.

So, yes, cleaning your sex toys is a must, and so is knowing how to properly clean sex toys, because it’s not always a matter of using some soapy water (although it can be, depending on the toy!). Here’s the right way to clean your sex toys, according to experts.

What do you need to know before you clean your sex toys?

According to Finn, the key factors cleaning your sex toys properly are figuring out the material they’re made of — aka whether they’re porous or not — and whether they’re waterproof.

The most common, non-porous sex toy materials include: silicone (medical-grade, pure silicone, platinum-grade), ABS plastic (sometimes called hard plastic), metals (commonly stainless steel), and glass (borosilicate, Pyrex, sodalime).

The most common porous sex toy materials: jelly rubber, TPE / TPR (thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic rubber), PVC, vinyl, and “skin-like” blends.

Finn notes that toys bought from reputable sex toy shops will list the materials and whether or not the toy is waterproof on the product page itself. If you bought from a third-party seller, she says “this information can be a bit harder to locate, but it is essential, since cleaning non-porous platinum grade silicone is a much different process than what’s required to clean a porous silicone blend.”

What’s the danger of using porous materials?

Because porous toys have such small holes that might not even be visible to the naked eye, they have the potential to trap bodily fluids and harbor bacteria. Because of those holes, Finn says it’s “super important” to take extra care when cleaning your toys. Thankfully, though, “there are a lot of well-made porous toys that, with proper cleaning and correct storage, can absolutely be kept safe to enjoy time and time again,” Finn says.

When porous toys aren’t properly cared for, the bacteria that can get stuck inside may cause irritation or infection, or even transfer STIs. So if you’re going to be sharing these toys with other partners, if you’re using them anally, or if you’re sensitive to infections, Finn recommends using a barrier like a condom over your toy for best practice.

Porous toys can also trap moisture if stored before fully dry, which can lead to mold or mildew growth in the pores of the toy. If at any point your porous toy becomes discolored or starts to smell, Finn says, that’s the sign that it’s time to retire your toy completely.

Another tip? Make sure that you know the material is body-safe to begin with. “Some porous toys are chemically softened with synthetic compounds called phthalates, which in some studies have been shown to cause long-term health risks and potentially disrupt reproductive systems,” Finn explains. “So watching out for materials like this is important to ensure your toys are safe to use internally.”

How to properly clean sex toys

For all sex toys, Finn recommends using a designated toy cleaning solution (like this one from Wicked) or a mild soap (meaning there’s no added fragrances, lotions, oils, etc) and that you are allowing your toy to dry completely before storing it in a case, box, or clean drawer.

Below, Finn outlines how to properly clean sex toys:

Toys that are non-porous without a motor (silicone, metal, glass, and ABS plastic non-vibrating toys) can be washed thoroughly using a mild soap under running warm water. “For silicone and metal, you can even pop your toys into a pot of boiling water after washing any residue from the surface to disinfect them,” she says.

For toys that are non-porous materials with a motor (vibrators, etc), Finn says it’s important to check if they’re waterproof before sticking them under warm water. If they are not waterproof, she recommends using a damp cloth and mild soap to clean the surface thoroughly, making sure that no soap residue is left over afterwards. “You can also use a toy cleaner or toy cleaning wipes,” she says, but cautions against putting any toys with a motor into water that is too hot, as it can break the motor.

Porous toys without a motor (like strokers or jelly rubber dildos) can also be washed with a mild soap under warm water, Finn says, though “you want to avoid water that is too hot so that you don’t degrade the material of the toy.” For porous toys made with synthetic skin, like you may find on a stroker or masturbation sleeve, she suggests coating the surface with a refresh powder once the toy is clean and completely dry to help keep the material feeling soft.

For sex toys that are made out of fabric materials (harnesses, impact toys), Finn says to follow the care instructions provided with the toy to see if they are machine or hand-washable. “For leather or suede, spot clean with a damp, soapy washcloth, and allow it to air dry afterward, and avoid using leather cleaners like the ones for your boots, as they contain chemicals that shouldn’t be introduced to sensitive areas like your genitals,” she explains.

How often should you clean sex toys?

Ideally, Finn says, you should be cleaning your sex toys before and after every single use. “Realistically, we understand that sometimes after a particularly good session with your toy, you may want to just roll over and call it a night, which is fine as long as you give it a good clean before storing it and/or using it again,” Finn says. “Unless your toy is porous or you used it in or around the butt, in which case you should be cleaning it ASAP. But absolutely make sure your toys are clean before each time you use them.”

How should you store sex toys?

When it comes to storing your toys, leaving them out on your dresser or nightstand may seem convenient for grabbing them in the heat of the moment, but Finn says it exposes them to dust and other airborne particles like pet fur. She recommends storing your toy in a pouch or case to keep it protected There are even storage pouches that disinfect your toys while storing them, like this UV Sterilizer Pouch that Finn recommends. If you’re storing porous toys, Finn suggests trying to keep them separate from one another, such as storing them in separate bags or individually wrapping them in a clean cloth like a bandana.

Before you go, shop for your new favorite wand vibrator: