How to clean sex toys: wash each toy before and after use with warm water and mild, unscented soap or a toy cleaner, then rinse, air-dry and store it separately. Silicone, glass and steel clean completely. Porous TPE, jelly and PVC never fully do.
By the Badd Kitty boutique team · Updated October 2026
Key takeaways
- Every time, before and after. Warm water and mild soap or a toy cleaner is enough for most toys.
- Material decides the method. Silicone, glass and stainless steel can be cleaned completely. Porous soft plastics can't.
- Motors change the rules. Never boil, dishwash or submerge a toy unless the maker says it's waterproof or boil-safe.
- Sharing a toy? Put a fresh condom on it for each person, or use a non-porous toy and wash it between partners.
- Silicone lube on silicone toys: check the toy maker's guidance or patch-test first. Water-based lube is the safe default.
Why cleaning matters
Toys touch mucous membranes, so whatever is left on them goes back in next time. Planned Parenthood notes that sharing sex toys can pass sexual fluids and spread some STDs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea (Planned Parenthood).
Material matters too. A small 2014 study had 12 women use two vibrators, then clean them with a commercial toy cleaner. HPV was still detected on the TPE vibrator in some cases 24 hours after cleaning. It was not detected on the silicone vibrator at 24 hours (Anderson et al., 2014). The study was small, but it supports what toy makers and our staff say: non-porous materials clean better.
Body-safe toy materials, and how to clean each
| Material | Porous? | Everyday clean | Deep clean | Lube |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone | No | Warm water and mild soap, or toy cleaner | Boil only if it has no motor and the maker says it's boil-safe | Water-based; hybrid or silicone only if the maker approves or a patch test passes |
| Glass (borosilicate) | No | Warm water and soap | Boil or dishwasher only if the maker allows; avoid sudden temperature changes | Any |
| Solid stainless steel | No | Warm water and soap | Boil if the maker allows | Any |
| Hard plastic (ABS) | No | Warm water and soap, or toy cleaner | Don't boil; it can warp | Any |
| TPE, TPR, SEBS (soft, stretchy) | More porous | Warm water and mild soap; dry fully | Can't be sterilized; no boiling | Water-based |
| Jelly rubber, PVC | Yes | Warm water and mild soap | Can't be sterilized; replace often | Water-based |
Body-safe vs porous: what to look for
Look for 100% silicone (platinum-cured is the premium grade), borosilicate glass, solid stainless steel or hard ABS plastic. These are non-porous and wash clean. Soft, stretchy "skin-like" materials such as TPE are cheaper and feel great on strokers and sleeves. They have tiny pores that can hold on to bacteria and lube, so keep them to one person and replace them when they turn sticky or cloudy.
Jelly rubber and PVC are the ones to phase out. They can contain phthalates, plasticizers that make PVC soft. A 2023 Duke University-led analysis of four sex toys (PVC beads, a PET plug, a polyisoprene rubber vibrator and a silicone-blend vibrator) found phthalates known to be endocrine disruptors in all of them, at levels above hazard warnings (Sipe et al., 2023). The authors say the data are exploratory and don't represent every toy. Our takeaway: buy from makers who state the material and say "phthalate-free", and favor 100% or platinum-cured silicone, glass and steel over unlabeled soft plastics.
A glass example: the Clarity Utopian Delight ($34.95) is a 3.5-inch plug handblown from borosilicate glass with a non-porous surface. For metal, the Le Wand Swerve ($149.95) is a dual-ended stainless steel wand. Browse glass and steel toys.
How to clean a sex toy, step by step
Toys without a motor (silicone, glass, steel, plastic)
- Rinse off lube and body fluids under warm running water.
- Lather with mild, unscented soap or a toy cleaner. Work into ridges, seams and textures with your fingers or a soft cloth.
- Rinse thoroughly until no soap feels slippery.
- Pat dry with a lint-free towel, then let it air-dry completely before storing.
Vibrators and other motorized toys
- Switch it off. Remove batteries, and close any charging-port cover.
- Check the rating. Waterproof or submersible toys can be washed under the tap like any other toy. Splashproof toys can't go under water.
- For splashproof toys, wipe with a cloth dampened with soapy water or toy cleaner, then with a clean damp cloth. Keep water away from buttons, seams and ports.
- Dry completely, especially magnetic charging points, before you charge it again.
Boiling and dishwashers
Boiling is a deep clean for solid, non-motorized silicone, glass and stainless steel, and only when the maker's care card says the toy is boil-safe. Follow the time it gives. Never boil anything with a motor, a battery, mixed materials or a glued-on base. Glass cracks with sudden temperature changes, so start it in cool water, heat the two together, and let it cool in the pot. Use a dishwasher only if the toy is labeled dishwasher-safe, and follow the maker's instructions.
Strokers and sleeves
Turn the sleeve inside out if it's designed to, rinse with warm water and a little mild soap, and air-dry fully before you put it back in its case. Trapped moisture causes smell and mold. Our male masturbators guide covers sleeve care in more detail.
Do you need a toy cleaner?
No, soap and water do the job. Toy cleaners are handy for motorized toys you can't rinse, for quick cleaning between rounds, and for travel. Pick an alcohol-free formula. Alcohol can dry out or damage some materials. pjur, for example, makes its Toy Clean spray alcohol- and perfume-free for latex, rubber and silicone.
- JO Foaming Toy Cleaner (from $9.95): fragrance-free, triclosan- and paraben-free. JO says to leave it on 5–10 seconds, then rinse.
- pjur Toy Clean ($22.95): alcohol- and perfume-free spray that removes lube residue.
- Wicked Foam 'n Fresh ($19.95): alcohol-, triclosan- and paraben-free foam, safe for all toy materials per Wicked.
- JO Misting Toy Cleaner ($12.95): spray, leave 60 seconds, rinse.
Is dish soap okay? A mild, unscented soap is fine if you rinse it off completely. Skip heavily perfumed, antibacterial or moisturizing soaps. They can leave residue that irritates. Never use bleach, rubbing alcohol or abrasive scrubbers on toys.
Can you use silicone lube on silicone toys?
Sometimes, but test first. Silicone lube can react with some silicone toys and make the surface tacky or gummy. Überlube, a silicone lube maker, does not recommend any silicone lube with silicone toys unless the toy maker says it's compatible, and it advises a spot test (Überlube). If you want to try:
- Dab a little silicone lube on the base or another hidden spot.
- Leave it for a few hours, then wash it off.
- If the surface feels sticky, rough, cloudy or soft, don't use that pairing.
The easy option is water-based lube, which suits every toy material. Most hybrids are labeled toy-safe too, but they contain silicone, so read the label. pjur Toy Glide ($29.95) is water-based, and pjur says it's suitable for latex, rubber, glass and silicone. See water-based lube, hybrid lube, and our full guide to lube types and compatibility.
Sharing toys safely
- Use a condom on the toy and change it before the toy touches another person. Planned Parenthood recommends this, or washing the toy with soap and water between people.
- Switching from anal to vaginal use? Wash the toy or change the condom first.
- Porous toys aren't for sharing. Give each partner their own TPE or jelly toy.
- During an infection, follow your clinician's advice. Clean toys after every use and don't share them until treatment is finished.
How to store sex toys
- Make sure toys are completely dry.
- Store each toy in its own pouch, box or a clean cotton bag. Soft materials can react with each other and turn sticky if they touch.
- Keep toys away from heat and direct sunlight.
- Take batteries out of toys you won't use for a while. Recharge rechargeable toys as the maker suggests.
When to replace a toy
Replace any toy with cracks, chips, tears, a sticky or cloudy surface, or a smell that survives cleaning. Damaged glass can have sharp edges. Damaged silicone can harbor bacteria in tears. If you notice irritation, unusual discharge, sores or pain after using a toy, stop using it and see a doctor or sexual health clinic.
Shopping for an upgrade? Our vibrator guide and best butt plugs both point to body-safe picks, and our guide to using a cock ring covers ring care. Orders ship in plain packaging, with free standard shipping over $75, and our seven boutiques can help you check a toy's material before you buy.
Sources
- Anderson TA et al. A study of human papillomavirus on vaginally inserted sex toys, before and after cleaning. Sex Transm Infect. 2014
- Planned Parenthood, Safer sex
- Sipe JM et al. Bringing sex toys out of the dark: exploring unmitigated risks. Microplastics and Nanoplastics. 2023
- Überlube, compatibility notes on silicone toys
