Are you the proud owner of a new sex toy? Is it your first, or perhaps your umpteenth? While this object will provide you with hours of pleasure, it requires some care to not only extend the longevity of your pleasure, but ensure your sexual health as well.
Cleaning is essential for products that are used in contact with some of the most delicate parts of your body. Regular cleaning prevents the formation of bacteria, extends the lifespan of the object, and ensures safe use for you and your partners.
And, just as you shouldn’t wash your wool sweaters with the same detergent you use for the floor, sex toys of different materials require different care in order to avoid damage and deterioration.
Read on to discover everything you need to know about cleaning sex toys.
General Sex Toy Cleaning Guidelines
Before we delve into the specifics, here are some universal rules for any sex toy material.
Always clean your sex toy before and after use. It takes a moment and ensures safe play. This also applies to new sex toys that may have accumulated dust or been handled before being packaged.
Always choose a gentle or mildly antibacterial soap to clean any type of sex toy. Otherwise, you can choose a specific sex toy cleaner. Never use harsh detergents that could not only damage the coating of your toy but also irritate your skin.
Avoid using alcohol or bleach to clean sex toys, unless explicity approved by the manufacturer. There are some materials that can be damaged by such harsh detergents.
Always check if your sex toy is waterproof. And also check whether it is simply splash-proof or if it can be submerged in water. Fully waterproof sex toys make cleaning much easier.
Let your toy air dry before storing it. This prevents bacteria by minimizing the formation of humidity.
How To Clean Sex Toys Based on Material
Cleaning Silicone Sex Toys (Most Common Material)
Why choose silicone sex toys? Because it’s a non-porous material, safe for the body, and retains heat well. It’s also super smooth on the skin and gives a luxurious feeling.
Cleaning Method:
- For routine cleaning: choose a delicate soap to use with warm water, or a specific detergent.
- For a more thorough cleaning: if the sex toy is non-electronic, you can boil it for 3-5 minutes, or wash it in the dishwasher, placing it on the top rack without soap.
- For non-waterproof models: clean with a damp cloth and toy cleaner, but avoid the electrical parts.
💡 Best Practices: always use a water-based lubricant with silicone sex toys to prevent deterioration.
Cleaning Glass & Metal Sex Toys (Hygienic & Easy to Sterilize)
Why choose glass and metal? They are non-porous materials that can be used at various temperatures and are very smooth. They also confer a certain weight to the object that can be very pleasurable.
Cleaning Method:
- Wash your glass or metal sex toys with warm water and mild soap.
- For a deep clean, if they do not contain electronic parts, you can boil them for 3-5 minutes or use a diluted bleach solution (10% bleach, 90% water).
- If they do not contain a motor, you can wash them in the dishwasher, on the top rack, without detergent.
💡 Best Practices: always check that the glass is intact before cleaning it to avoid breakage.
Cleaning Jelly Rubber, PVC & TPE Toys (Porous Materials – Require Extra Care)
Why the extra care? These materials absorb bacteria and fluids, making thorough cleaning even more important.
Cleaning Method:
- Wash with warm water and mild soap immediately after use.
- Choose a specific detergent and the best toy cleaners for added protection.
- Avoid boiling or washing them in the dishwasher, as the heat can ruin the material.
- Always use a condom over jelly or TPE toys to reduce exposure to bacteria.
💡 Best Practices: store them in a cool, dry place to prevent the material from deteriorating.
Cleaning Realistic Masturbators & Flesh-Like Toys (Fleshlight, TPE, Cyberskin)
Why Special Care? These materials can deteriorate easily if not cleaned properly.
Cleaning Method:
- Rinse them immediately after use with warm water (but without soap, which could ruin the material).
- Use a specific sex toy cleaner or an antibacterial spray.
- Pat dry with a lint-free cloth and apply starch-based powder to keep them soft.
💡 Best Practices: Avoid oil-based lubricants that can damage the material.
Cleaning Vibrators & Battery-Powered Sex Toys (Waterproof vs. Non-Waterproof)
For Waterproof Vibrators (Fully Submersible)
- Wash them with warm water and mild soap.
- Use a specific sex toy cleaner for extra hygiene.
- Let them air dry before charging or storing them.
For Non-Waterproof Vibrators (Battery-Operated or USB Rechargeable)
- Never submerge sex toys in water.
- Clean the shaft with a damp cloth and a specific cleaner.
- Use a cotton swab with some rubbing alcohol to clean the gaps between the buttons.
💡 Best Practices: always remove the batteries before cleaning to avoid damage to electrical components.
Storing Sex Toys Safely
Storing your sex toys properly keeps them safe from dust, bacteria and deterioration of the material.
- Use a storage bag or case to keep your toy clean and lint free.
- Store each item separately: some materials can deteriorate when left in contact for too long.
- Store your toy away from extreme temperatures: avoid direct sunlight and humidity.
💡 Best Practices: Many luxury brands, like LELO, provide a discreet and elegant storage bag to make it easy to store your toy.
The Best Cleaning Products for Sex Toys
To ensure long-lasting pleasure and safety, here are some highly recommended cleaning options.
- ✔️ LELO Cleaning Spray – It is antibacterial and alcohol-free and is safe on all materials.
- Mild, Unscented Soap – An affordable option, easily available to anyone and effective.
- Antibacterial Toy Cleaner –Designed for cleaning sex toys in a quick and hygienic way.
- UV Light Sanitizers – Eliminates bacteria without the need for liquid detergents. But do not clean the object, so you’ll need to do it.
Conclusion
As we learned, it’s essential to choose the appropriate cleaning method for your toy, not only based on the material it is made of, but also its functioning. Otherwise there’s the risk of damaging it.
Adopting few, little habits not only prolongs the lifespan of our toy, but also protects us from diseases and infections, ensuring a more pleasurable sex life.
If you are looking for quick and effective cleaning solutions, start with LELO. You will find not only that all the sex toys are made with body safe and easy to clean materials, but also specific detergents that ensure maximum hygiene… in a spray!
Discover pleasure with:
