Cleaning your sex toy usually takes less time than people think.
\nMost sex toys, including dildos and vibrators, can be cleaned using simple methods such as washing them in warm soapy water for a couple of minutes.
What really matters is knowing what the sex toy is made of and whether the toy can get wet. Silicone dildos are typically solid and nonporous, which means they are often cleaned very differently from rechargeable vibrators with charging ports. Soft, porous toys need different care from either of these.
\nCleaning is important after every use, whether you use a sex toy alone or share it with another person. It is especially important when using anal toys or during or after an infection.
\nYou do not need an elaborate cleaning routine or a shelf full of special products to clean your sex toy. All you need to do is find the right cleaning method for the type of sex toy you have.
\nSex toys may have many different bodily fluids and substances on their surfaces, including vaginal fluid, semen, saliva, blood, lubricant, bacteria from the skin, and bacteria from the anus.
\nRegardless of how clean they look, some of this residue can still be left behind on the toy’s surface. Used sex toys can also become sticky as dried lubricant builds up and collects dust and lint.
\nWhen toys are used by more than one person, proper cleaning becomes even more important. Some STIs can be passed when body fluids are transferred from one person to another through a shared sex toy.
\nFortunately, there are simple ways to help prevent this. When you are finished using a sex toy, wash it. When necessary, use a barrier between your genitals and the sex toy. Never transfer a toy directly from anal play to vaginal play without washing it first.
\nBefore washing your toy, you need to find out what materials were used to make it and whether it was designed to be waterproof, water-resistant, or kept away from water.
\nTo do this, check the packaging, instruction manual, manufacturer’s website, or product page. Look for information about the materials used to make the toy and its water-resistance rating.
\nIf you no longer have the packaging, try searching for a brand name or model number printed on the toy itself, such as on the back or inside the battery compartment, or on the charger.
\nWhy bother? Even though many toys look similar, they may need completely different cleaning methods.
\nMany nonporous materials have smoother surfaces that are easier to clean.
\nExamples of nonporous materials include silicone, glass, hard plastic, and stainless steel.
\nNonporous materials do not provide as much space for moisture or microorganisms to remain.
\nWhile a nonporous toy still needs regular cleaning, it is generally less likely to harbor bacteria than a porous toy.
\nYou may think you can identify a material by how it feels. However, different materials can feel very similar in your hand.
If your toys are waterproof, they can withstand being submerged in water. However, avoid submerging water-resistant or splash-proof toys. This distinction matters especially for electronic toys such as vibrators.
\nBe careful when cleaning toys with charging ports, battery compartments, buttons, or seams. Unless the manufacturer confirms that the toy is fully waterproof, keep water away from these areas to prevent damage.
\nIf you are unsure, keep the electronic parts completely dry and carefully clean only the surface of the toy.
\nOnce you know the toys’ material and water resistance, the actual cleaning is fairly simple.
\nMost nonporous, non-electric toys can be cleaned by hand with warm water and a small amount of mild, fragrance-free liquid soap.
\nWash the entire surface of the toy rather than only the area that was inserted.
\nPay attention to grooves, ridges, textured surfaces, and the bases of toys, as lubricant can collect in these areas.
\nAfter cleaning, rinse all the soap off the toy.
Some solid silicone, stainless steel, or glass toys may also tolerate sanitizing methods such as boiling, but this depends on the specific toy.
\nA toy may contain adhesives, coatings, handles, or other parts that are sensitive to heat. Because of this, stronger sanitizing methods should be treated as product-specific options rather than part of a regular cleaning routine.
\nFor an electronic toy that isn’t waterproof, apply a small amount of mild soap to a clean, damp cloth and gently wipe the parts of the toy that come into direct contact with the body.
\nWipe those areas again with a clean, damp cloth to remove any soap residue.
\nBe careful around charging ports, battery compartments, switches, and other openings unless the manufacturer clearly states that those areas are waterproof.
\nPay particular attention to seams and textured areas. It is easy to wipe away dirt and lubricant from the main surface while leaving residue around buttons, edges, and other small crevices.
\nFirst, follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions for your porous sex toy. Most can be washed with mild soap and warm water.
\nLet the toy air dry completely before using or storing it again.
\nUsing a condom over a porous toy can be helpful because porous materials can be harder to clean thoroughly. This is especially useful when sharing a toy.
\nYou should also inspect the surface. Inspect the toy’s surface every few uses. If it becomes permanently sticky, starts to crack, feels different from before, or keeps an odor even after washing, scrubbing harder is unlikely to help. At that point, it is probably time to replace the toy.
\nClean your sex toys after each use. You may also want to wash a toy before using it if it has been sitting out and has collected dust or lint, or if you cannot remember when you last cleaned it.
\nIf another person is going to use the toy, clean it first. For many toys, washing and drying only takes a few minutes.
\nTaking a toy from anal to vaginal use? New destination, fresh start. Wash it thoroughly first, or replace the condom if you’re using one. This applies even with the same person, because rectal bacteria can travel too and may cause an infection.
\nAnything inserted into the anus needs to be cleaned before it is used in the vagina.
\nThis still applies even if the toy was previously used by the same person.
Bacteria that naturally live in the rectum can cause problems if they are transferred to the vagina. To avoid this, wash the toy before moving from anal use to vaginal use during the same sexual activity, or change the condom before using the toy vaginally.
\nSimply wiping the toy with a paper towel or cloth is not enough to clean it properly.
\nSharing a sex toy can transfer body fluids and some STIs from one person to another.
\nClean the toy before another person uses it and, when appropriate, use a fresh condom for each person. This is especially helpful with porous toys, which can be harder to clean thoroughly.
\nRemember to clean more than the part that enters the body. Handles, bases, buttons, and nearby surfaces can also come into contact with body fluids.
\nCleaning the toy is only half the story if you have been diagnosed with an STI or another genital infection.
\nFollow the advice provided by your healthcare provider about when to resume sexual activity. The amount of time you should wait before sharing a toy again will depend on the type of infection and the treatment you receive. Simply washing a toy after use does not necessarily mean that it is safe to share immediately.
\nDo not share toys while you have an active infection.
\nReusable toys should be thoroughly cleaned after use. However, if a porous toy was used while you had an infection and you do not think it can be cleaned thoroughly enough for future use, replacing it may be the safer and simpler option.
\nTiming is the main issue here. Cleaning removes residue and microorganisms from a toy. Your healthcare provider can tell you when it is safe to resume sexual activity.
\nMake sure the toy is completely dry before putting it away.
\nUse a clean towel to remove most of the excess moisture. Let any remaining moisture air-dry, especially around grooves, ridges, edges, and the base of the toy.
\nOnce it is dry, store the toy in a clean place away from dust. A fabric pouch, the original storage bag, or a clean plastic container can all work well.
\nKeeping toys separate can also help protect their surfaces, since some materials can react when stored in direct contact with each other.
\nYes, the fuzzy carpet underneath your bed does count as storage. It is just not a good one.
\nA cool, dry drawer or a small breathable storage bag is a much better option, especially if your bathroom stays humid after showers.
\nA stronger cleaning product does not always clean better.
\nWhen cleaning your toys, do not automatically reach for bleach, a household disinfectant, strongly scented soap, or an abrasive cleaner. These products can damage some toy materials and may leave behind residue that can irritate sensitive genital or anal tissue.
\nBoiling water and dishwashers are not universal cleaning methods either. Only toys specifically designed to withstand high heat should be cleaned this way.
\nYou will probably not need a specialized sex-toy cleaner. For many toys, mild soap and water are enough.
\nThe most important rule is to use the gentlest cleaning method that thoroughly cleans the toy and is safe for its material.
There is no expiration date for a sex toy based on age alone. How long it lasts depends on how often you use it, how you clean and store it, and how well the material holds up over time.
\nIf you notice damage such as cracks or tears, peeling coating or paint, rough or damaged areas, permanent stickiness, or unpleasant odors that remain after cleaning, it is probably time to replace the toy.
\nGlass toys should be replaced immediately if you notice any chips or cracks. Damaged glass can cause cuts or other injuries.
\nPorous toys require extra attention because they can be harder to clean. An important sign that a porous toy may need replacing is a change in its surface texture. If it becomes difficult to clean, starts losing its original shape, or develops a smell that remains after washing, it may be time to replace it.
\nIn general, if your toy is causing discomfort during use, becoming difficult to clean, or showing visible signs of damage, it has most likely reached the end of its useful life.
\nCleaning sex toys usually comes down to a few simple habits: clean them after each use, use the appropriate cleaning method for the material, let them air-dry completely before storing them, and take extra precautions when toys are shared or when moving from anal play to vaginal play.
\nOnce you understand what your toy can and cannot handle, caring for it should feel pretty routine, and that is the point. Have questions about contraception or sexual health? Chat with Myka for confidential, judgment-free guidance.
\nSOURCES
\nhttps://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/safer-sex
\nhttps://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/how-can-i-keep-my-vibrator-clean
\nhttps://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/teens/sex/all-about-sex
\nhttps://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sex-pleasure-and-sexual-dysfunction/masturbation
\nhttps://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/health-and-wellness/vaginitis/how-do-i-prevent-vaginitis
\nhttps://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/sex-activities-and-risk/
Find My Method. All rights reserved
\n"}}]}},"pageContext":{"id":"cG9zdDo0ODUxNw==","frontend_slug":"blog/how-to-clean-sex-toys-safely","language_code":"en","breadcrumb":{"location":"/blog/how-to-clean-sex-toys-safely","crumbs":[{"pathname":"/","crumbLabel":"Home"},{"pathname":"/blog","crumbLabel":"blog"},{"pathname":"/blog/how-to-clean-sex-toys-safely","crumbLabel":"how-to-clean-sex-toys-safely"}]}}}, "staticQueryHashes": ["2364228080","2804000090","2898838263","3893395773","482822470","697822104","730321654"]}