A good toy is an investment, and looking after it properly is the difference between “lasted years” and “binned it after a month.” It’s genuinely quick once you know the rules — and the rules change depending on what the toy is made of.
The golden rule: know your material
Two camps: non-porous (silicone, glass, stainless steel, hard ABS plastic) and porous (jelly, TPE/TPR, some “realistic” materials). Non-porous is easy to clean and can be properly sanitised. Porous materials have microscopic holes that trap bacteria, so they need gentler, more frequent care and should never be shared.
The everyday clean
- Silicone, glass, steel (non-motorised): warm water and a mild, unscented soap, or a dedicated toy cleaner. Rinse well.
- Anything with a motor or battery: never submerge unless it’s rated fully waterproof. Wipe with a damp, soapy cloth, keeping the charging port dry.
- Porous materials (TPE/jelly): warm water and mild soap, dried thoroughly. Consider a condom over them for easy clean-up.
Deep cleaning & sanitising
Only 100% silicone, glass and steel toys with no motor can be truly sanitised — either boiled for a few minutes or (glass/steel) run through the top rack of the dishwasher without detergent. Never boil anything electronic. For everything else, a thorough soap-and-water clean is your ceiling.
Drying & storage — the bit people skip
- Air-dry completely before storing. Damp = the enemy.
- Store toys separately — some materials react and go sticky when they touch. A cotton pouch or a lined box each is ideal.
- Keep them somewhere cool and dark; heat and sunlight age materials.
- Take the batteries out of anything you won’t use for a while.
Look after them and body-safe toys will look after you — for years.
Common questions
✦ How do I clean a sex toy?
Warm water and a mild, unscented soap for most body-safe silicone toys, or a dedicated toy cleaner. Dry it fully before storing — and check whether yours is waterproof first.
✦ Are all sex toys waterproof?
No — many are only splash-proof, and motorised toys often can’t be submerged. Fully waterproof ones are far easier to clean (and better in the bath). See waterproof toys.
✦ How should I store my toys?
Clean, dry and separately — ideally in a cloth pouch, away from other toys (some materials react). A dedicated bag keeps things discreet too.
✦ How long do sex toys last?
A well-cared-for body-safe silicone toy can last years. Poor materials and poor cleaning are what cut that short.