How to Clean Your Sex Toys Safely (Without Fancy Cleaners)

To clean a sex toy safely, wash it before and after every use with warm water and a mild, unscented soap, rinse it well, and let it dry completely before you put it away. How you wash it depends on two things: the material and the water rating. IPX7 toys can go under the tap. Splash-resistant toys (IPX4–IPX6) should be wiped with a damp, soapy cloth instead, keeping water away from charging ports. Solid silicone, glass and stainless steel toys with no motor can also be boiled. Porous materials like TPE and jelly can’t be fully sanitised, so dry them thoroughly and replace them sooner. You don’t need special sprays.

Why cleaning matters

Toys touch some of the most sensitive tissue in the body. Lube, body fluids and bacteria left on a toy can irritate skin, and shared toys can pass on infections. NHS guidance is to wash toys with soap and water between sessions. If you share toys, it also says to use a new condom for each partner and each body opening. Regular cleaning also keeps toys working longer, because built-up lube and lint wear down surfaces and seams.

Step 1: Check the material and water rating

The material tells you what the toy can handle. The water rating tells you how wet it can get.

Material	Porous?	How to clean
Silicone	No	Soap and water; boil if solid with no motor
Glass, stainless steel	No	Soap and water; boil if the maker allows
ABS plastic	No	Soap and water; don’t boil
TPE, TPR, elastomer sleeves	Yes	Rinse with warm water and mild soap; dry fully; powder if tacky
Jelly rubber, PVC	Yes	Soap and water; use condoms; replace often

Water rating	What it means
IPX7	Can be rinsed under the tap or briefly submerged
IPX5–IPX6	Handles splashes and rinsing; don’t submerge
IPX4 or none	Splash-resistant at most; wipe only

Toy materials explained covers each material in detail.

Step 2: Wash it

For most toys: mild soap and warm water.

1. Use warm water and a mild, unscented hand or dish soap.
2. Lather with your hands or a clean cloth, paying attention to seams, buttons and textured areas.
3. Rinse until no soap remains.

For toys you can’t rinse: wipe with a cloth dampened with soapy water, then with a second cloth and plain water. Keep moisture away from charging ports and seams.

For textured or hard-to-reach areas: a soft brush helps. This silicone brush is designed for toy channels and textures:

Soft silicone cleaning brush

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Step 3: Sanitise (when it’s appropriate)

Boiling is optional and only for solid, non-motorised silicone, glass or stainless steel. Put the toy in gently boiling water for a few minutes, remove it with tongs and let it cool and dry. Don’t boil anything with a motor, battery, suction cup or glued parts, and check the manufacturer’s guidance first. Glass can crack if the temperature changes suddenly.

The earlier version of this page suggested a vinegar rinse. We’ve removed it: it isn’t a proven way to sanitise toys, it can irritate sensitive tissue if it isn’t fully rinsed off, and soap and water is enough.

Step 4: Dry it completely

Moisture left inside a sleeve or seam is how mould and smells start.

• Pat dry with a lint-free towel, then air-dry somewhere ventilated.
• Stand sleeves upright or upside down so water drains and air can reach inside.
• Make sure charging contacts are dry before charging.
• For TPE sleeves, a light dusting of sleeve renewal powder once they’re dry can restore the soft feel.

Cleaning by toy type

Vibrators and rechargeable toys. Follow the water rating. IPX7 toys can be washed under running water; lower ratings should be wiped. Make sure charging port covers are closed.

Anal toys. Clean straight after use. Use a condom if the toy will also be used vaginally, and don’t move a toy from anal to vaginal use without washing it or changing the condom.

Dildos and cock rings. Solid silicone dildos can be boiled; vibrating rings should be washed according to their water rating. Remove suction cups or harness parts first if they detach.

Strokers, sleeves and torsos. Most are TPE or elastomer, which is porous. Rinse with warm water straight after use, use only mild soap if the maker allows, flush the closed end, and dry thoroughly. Some, like the Tenga Spinner, shouldn’t be turned inside out. See our guides to cleaning an automatic masturbator and cleaning TPE vs silicone.

What to avoid

• Bleach, ammonia, alcohol and harsh cleaners. They damage materials and irritate skin.
• Scented or antibacterial soaps. Residue can irritate sensitive areas.
• Submerging toys rated below IPX7. Water damage usually isn’t covered by warranty.
• Boiling anything with electronics.
• Storing toys damp.
• Silicone lube on silicone toys without a patch test, since some formulations can damage the surface. Water-based lube is safe with every material.

Water-based lube, safe with all materials

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How to store toys

• Store toys only when completely dry.
• Use a cloth pouch, the original box or a breathable container.
• Keep porous and mixed-material toys (TPE, PVC, jelly) apart from each other and from silicone. Some materials react when stored touching. Solid silicone toys touching each other isn’t the problem it’s often said to be, but separating everything is the simplest rule.
• Keep toys away from heat and direct sunlight.

If you can’t clean it straight away

Rinse it with water, wrap it in a clean towel, and wash it properly within a few hours. Don’t let fluids dry on porous materials.

When to replace a toy

Replace a toy if it becomes sticky, cloudy, cracked or smelly even after washing, or if the surface starts to break down. Porous toys usually need replacing sooner than silicone, glass or steel.