How to Clean Your Sex Toys Properly

Nobody's favorite topic. Everybody's necessary one. If you've ever tossed a toy back in the drawer with a casual "I'll deal with that later," congratulations - you're human. You're also incubating a science experiment that would make a CDC researcher weep.

Cleaning your toys isn't complicated. It takes maybe two minutes. But it does matter, because the alternative is a conversation with a doctor that neither of you wants to have. So let's walk through the whole thing - what to use, what to avoid, what materials need special treatment, and how often "often enough" actually is.

Why This Matters More Than You Think

Sex toys come into contact with mucous membranes - the most absorbent, sensitive tissue on your body. Bacteria, yeast, and other microorganisms thrive in warm, moist environments. Sound like any post-shower drawer you know?

According to the World Health Organization, bacterial infections can be transmitted through contaminated surfaces, including personal care devices. A 2014 study published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections found that HPV DNA was still detectable on vibrators even after basic cleaning, unless proper sanitization methods were used.

The Mayo Clinic recommends cleaning toys before and after every use - yes, both - and using appropriate methods based on the toy's material. This isn't being precious. This is baseline hygiene.

Step One: Know Your Material

Not all toys are created equal, and the material your toy is made from determines how you clean it. Getting this wrong can damage the toy or, worse, leave it looking clean while harboring bacteria in microscopic pores.

Non-Porous Materials (The Good Stuff)

These materials have a smooth, sealed surface that bacteria can't penetrate:

• Medical-grade silicone - The gold standard. Body-safe, hypoallergenic, easy to sanitize.
• Stainless steel - Indestructible and completely non-porous.
• Borosilicate glass - Same material as lab equipment. There's a reason for that.
• ABS plastic - Hard, smooth, and sealed. Common in bullet vibes and handles.

Non-porous toys can be fully sanitized. That's a meaningful distinction. Sanitized means bacteria are actually eliminated, not just reduced.

Porous Materials (Handle With Care)

These materials have microscopic pores where bacteria can hide:

• TPE/TPR (thermoplastic elastomer/rubber) - Soft, flexible, affordable. Also impossible to fully sanitize.
• PVC - Common in less expensive toys. Porous and sometimes contains phthalates.
• Rubber and latex - Porous, can cause allergic reactions, degrades over time.
• Jelly rubber - Very porous, often contains phthalates. If it smells like a new shower curtain, that's the chemicals talking.

Porous toys can be cleaned but not fully sanitized. The practical solution: use a condom over porous toys, replace them more frequently, and consider upgrading to non-porous alternatives when your budget allows.

Step Two: The Cleaning Methods

Now that you know what you're working with, here's what to do with it.

Method 1: Warm Water and Mild Soap (The Universal Baseline)

Works for: Every toy, regardless of material or motorization.

Use warm (not hot) water and a gentle, unscented, antibacterial hand soap. Lather, rinse, and let it air dry on a clean towel. That's it. Two minutes, maybe three if you're being thorough.

Avoid: Dish soap (too harsh, leaves residue), scented body wash (irritants), anything with alcohol or acetone (can degrade silicone and TPE).

Method 2: Toy-Specific Cleaner (The Smart Shortcut)

A dedicated toy cleaner like Think Clean Thoughts Toy Cleaner is what soap and water wishes it could be. It's an antibacterial spray made with organic aloe vera, witch hazel, and grape seed extract that kills 99.9% of germs on contact. No parabens, no petrochemicals, no harsh residue.

Spray it on, wipe it off. No rinsing, no lathering, no wet hands fumbling with a soap dispenser. The whole thing takes about ten seconds. Keep a bottle next to wherever you store your toys, and aftercare stops being a chore you skip.

Standard soaps can leave residue that irritates sensitive tissue, and some contain oils that break down toy materials over time. A purpose-built cleaner avoids both problems. It's a $15 bottle that protects a $100 investment. The math works.

Method 3: Boiling (For Non-Motorized, Non-Porous Toys Only)

Works for: Silicone, stainless steel, and glass toys without motors, batteries, or charging ports.

Submerge the toy in boiling water for 3-5 minutes. This is true sanitization - it kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Let it cool completely before handling. Obviously.

Do not boil anything with electronic components, a charging port, or seams where water could enter. You'll destroy the motor and potentially create a safety hazard.

Method 4: Bleach Solution (Nuclear Option)

Works for: Non-porous, non-motorized toys when you need maximum sanitization.

Mix one tablespoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water. Soak for 10 minutes. Rinse extremely thoroughly with clean water. Air dry.

This is the method recommended by most public health agencies for sanitizing non-porous surfaces. It works. Just rinse well - nobody wants bleach residue anywhere near sensitive tissue.

Step Three: Drying and Storage

This is where most people drop the ball. You cleaned the toy. Great. Then you put it back in the drawer while it's still damp, where it sits in a dark, warm, enclosed space touching other toys made of different materials. That's a petri dish with extra steps.

Drying

Air dry on a clean, lint-free towel or cloth. Let it dry completely before storing. If you're in a hurry, pat it dry - but make sure seams, textures, and charging port covers are dry too.

Storage

Each toy should be stored separately. Most quality toys come with a fabric pouch or case - use it. If yours didn't come with one, a clean cotton bag works. Do not store toys loose in a drawer where they touch each other, especially if they're made of different materials. Silicone against silicone can bond and degrade. TPE against anything tends to get sticky over time.

Keep toys out of direct sunlight and away from extreme temperatures. A drawer is fine. A windowsill is not.

Material-Specific Quick Reference

Silicone Toys

This includes most of our rechargeable vibes and wands. Products like the VeDO Wanda Rechargeable Wand are made with body-safe silicone - wash with warm water and mild soap after every use. Because they have motors and charging ports, don't submerge or boil them. The waterproof rating means they can handle rinses, not a 10-minute soak.

Toys with Suction Cups

Suction cup toys like the Soft Solace Vibrator with Detachable Suction Cup need extra attention at the base where the cup meets the shaft. Residue collects in that seam. Use a soft brush or your finger to clean around the suction cup's edge. If the cup is detachable, remove it and clean both pieces separately.

Lubes and Residue

Silicone lube is harder to wash off than water-based lube. If you use a silicone-based lubricant like Swiss Navy Silicone, you may need a second wash cycle or a slightly stronger soap to fully remove the residue. Water-based lubes rinse clean in seconds.

Also: silicone lube on silicone toys is a debated topic. Some manufacturers say it's fine with high-quality silicone; others say avoid it entirely. When in doubt, do a patch test on the base of the toy and wait 24 hours. If the surface gets tacky or rough, stick to water-based lube with that toy.

How Often Is Often Enough?

The answer from every medical professional, manufacturer, and health organization is the same: before and after every use.

"Before" catches anything that accumulated during storage - dust, lint, whatever that mysterious residue is. "After" removes body fluids and lubricant before bacteria have a chance to colonize.

If you share toys between partners - clean between each person. Every time. No exceptions. This is how STI transmission through toys happens, and it's completely preventable.

According to the Planned Parenthood, using a fresh condom on shared toys is the safest approach, with cleaning between uses as a secondary precaution.

The "When to Replace" Conversation

Toys don't last forever. Here's when it's time:

• Visible damage: Cracks, tears, peeling, or discoloration. A compromised surface can harbor bacteria even on non-porous materials.
• Sticky or tacky surface: Especially common with TPE and jelly materials as they degrade. Once it's sticky, it's done.
• Persistent odor: If a toy smells even after thorough cleaning, bacteria have moved in permanently. Time to part ways.
• Motor issues: If a waterproof toy's motor starts sputtering or the charging port shows corrosion, the waterproof seal may be compromised. Continuing to use it in water is a bad idea.
• It's been years: Porous toys should be replaced every 6-12 months with regular use. Non-porous toys last longer, but nothing lasts forever.

A Note on "Antibacterial" Marketing

Some toys are marketed as "antibacterial" due to silver ion coatings or antimicrobial additives. These may slow bacterial growth, but they don't eliminate the need for cleaning. Think of it like a phone case that claims to be antibacterial - you still wouldn't eat off it without wiping it down. Same principle.

The Short Version

Clean your toys before and after use. Warm water and mild soap. Dry completely. Store separately. Replace when damaged. That's the whole thing. It takes less time than scrolling through your phone in bed afterward, and it saves you from situations that are awkward at best and medically concerning at worst.

Your toys do good work. Return the favor.

Written by Rex