Globally Verified: The First Adult Toy Brand with 9 Global Industry Firsts Achieved in Mental Health, Healing & Sexual Wellness

Globally Verified: The First Adult Toy Brand with 9 Global Industry Firsts Achieved in Mental Health, Healing & Sexual Wellness

Your cart

Your cart is empty

How to Clean & Care for Your Sex Toys: The Complete Hygiene & Safety Guide (2026)

How to Clean & Care for Your Sex Toys: The Complete Hygiene & Safety Guide (2026)

Keeping your sex toys clean isn’t just about hygiene — it’s about safety, longevity, comfort and product performance.
Clean toys last longer, feel better on the body, and help you avoid irritation or infection.

The good news?
Proper sex-toy care is simple once you understand a few basics.

This guide gives you everything you need to know, including:

✔ how to clean every type of toy
✔ what cleaning products are safe
✔ how to store your toys
✔ what materials need special care
✔ which mistakes to avoid

Let’s get into it.


1. Why Cleaning Your Toys Properly Matters

Sex toys come into contact with:

  • skin

  • natural body fluids

  • lubricants

  • bacteria

  • dust or lint from storage

Cleaning ensures:

✔ safety
✔ comfort
✔ good hygiene
✔ long-lasting toys
✔ reduced risk of irritation
✔ better overall performance

Proper care = better experiences.


2. What You Need for Safe Cleaning

You don’t need expensive chemicals.

For most toys, you only need:

✔ Warm water

✔ Mild, unscented soap OR a toy-safe cleaner

✔ A clean towel or air-dry space

Avoid household cleaners — they can damage materials or cause irritation.


3. Cleaning by Material (This Part Is Important)

Sex toys are made from different materials, and each one has its own cleaning rules.


1. Silicone Toys (Most Common & Safest)

Silicone is non-porous, meaning it doesn’t trap bacteria.

How to clean:

  • Wash with warm water + mild unscented soap

  • OR use a toy-safe cleaner

  • Rinse thoroughly

  • Air dry or pat dry

Avoid:

  • Silicone lubricant (can degrade silicone toys)

  • Boiling if the toy is motorised (motor will break)


2. ABS Plastic Toys

Smooth, hard, and non-porous.

Cleaning:

  • Soap + warm water

  • Toy cleaner

  • Avoid soaking toys with charging ports


3. Glass Toys (Borosilicate glass)

Glass is extremely hygienic and fully non-porous.

Cleaning:

  • Soap + warm water

  • Toy cleaner

  • Can be boiled if the toy has no motors

  • Dishwasher-safe (top rack) if no electronics


4. Stainless Steel Toys

Durable, heavy, and non-porous.

Cleaning:

  • Soap + warm water

  • Boil for full sterilisation (if no motor)

  • Dishwasher safe (non-motorised only)


5. TPE / TPR / Jelly Toys (Porous)

These materials are porous — meaning bacteria can hide inside.

Cleaning:

  • Soap + very warm water

  • Clean thoroughly before and after every use

  • Dry completely

Tips:

  • Always use condoms with porous toys for safer hygiene


4. How to Clean Motorised Toys Safely

Motorised toys need gentler cleaning because of:

  • charging ports

  • motors

  • buttons

  • internal circuitry

Never:

  • submerge a motorised toy unless the box explicitly says “fully waterproof”

  • use boiling water

  • soak in very hot water

  • run under high-pressure taps

Do:

  • wipe with a damp cloth

  • clean seams carefully

  • use toy cleaner safely around buttons


5. Cleaning Air-Pulse / Suction Toys

These toys have small openings that need extra attention.

Cleaning steps:

  1. Remove the silicone head (if detachable)

  2. Wash the silicone part with soap + warm water

  3. Wipe the device body with a damp cloth + toy cleaner

  4. Allow all parts to fully dry before reassembling

Regular cleaning keeps the pressure system performing properly.


6. How to Clean Anal Toys (Extra Important)

Anal toys require more thorough cleaning due to bacteria.

Do:

  • clean immediately after use

  • use warm water + a strong foam toy cleaner

  • ensure the toy is completely dry

  • use condoms on porous toys

  • boil glass/steel (non-motorised) for deep sterilisation


7. How to Store Your Toys Properly

Good storage keeps your toys clean, damage-free and safe.

Best storage options:

✔ toy storage bags (often included with toys)
✔ drawer organisers
✔ dedicated toy cases
✔ pouches for each toy to avoid material reactions

Avoid:

  • storing silicone toys touching each other (possible chemical reactions)

  • plastic bags (trap moisture)

  • leaving toys unprotected in drawers


8. Products That Help with Toy Hygiene

Here are the most helpful hygiene add-ons:

  • Toy-safe antibacterial cleaner

  • Lint-free storage bags

  • Toy organisers or cases

  • Water-based lube (compatible with all toys)

  • Drying racks or drying areas

Keeping your toys clean and protected will make them last years, not months.


9. Common Sex Toy Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid:

❌ Using bleach or detergent
❌ Using silicone lube on silicone toys
❌ Not drying toys completely
❌ Storing toys touching each other
❌ Submerging toys that aren’t waterproof
❌ Ignoring porous material warnings
❌ Skipping cleaning “because you used a condom”
❌ Forgetting to clean before use, not just after


Final Thoughts: Clean Toys = Safer, Better Pleasure

Cleaning your toys isn’t difficult — it just needs a simple routine.

Warm water, mild soap, the right cleaner, and proper storage will keep your toys:

✔ safe
✔ long-lasting
✔ smooth
✔ hygienic
✔ comfortable

A little care goes a long way.

Your body deserves safe, clean pleasure tools — every time.

Previous post
Next post
Back to MyJoyToys Blog

Leave a comment