Keeping your sex toys clean is key for two reasons: protecting your health and ensuring the longevity of your toys. That’s why it’s so essential to know exactly how to clean your sex toys.
The best way to clean sex toys mostly depends on the material the toys are made from and what kind of cleaning products you have on hand. You see, there’s more than one way to clean your toys, and how you clean your silicone vibrator may look different from how you clean your jelly dildo.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you can wipe down a silicone toy with alcohol, you may have on hand or if it’s worth investing in a nice but often pricey sex toy cleaner, you’re not alone. That’s why we’re here today!
This guide breaks down the three main sex toy cleaning options—alcohol, soap, and specialized sex toy cleaners—so you can make the right choice without a headache.
Before we dive deep into each cleaning option, let’s first discuss the difference between cleaning and disinfecting. These two terms are often used interchangeably when people talk about cleaning sex toys, but there’s a slight difference between the two:
When it comes to sex toy maintenance and cleaning, there’s a place and time for both cleaning and disinfecting. However, how you clean and disinfect will depend on the material of your toys—some materials are more forgiving and can handle stronger disinfectants (stainless steel), while others require gentler cleaning to avoid damage.
What’s the best practice? Clean your toys thoroughly after every use, and disinfect them occasionally if the toy’s materials allow it (check the toy manufacturer’s manual if you’re unsure).
The easiest, most straightforward, and budget-friendly option to clean your sex toys is to use mild soap and warm water. It’s easily accessible to everyone and gentle on most materials, so you can be certain your sex toys will remain intact (in most cases), and this cleaning method is very effective at removing fluids, lube, and bacteria if you do it properly.
Of course, this method has some cons, too. It may not be enough to fully disinfect a sex toy and kill all the bacteria or remove an odor from toys used anally. Also, if you don’t rinse the toys thoroughly each time you wash them, there may be a buildup of residue from the soap, which can impact toy longevity and your health.
Before you use this cleaning method, make sure it’s compatible with your sex toy materials. Using mild soap and water is the best cleaning method for toys made from:
If you want to clean your sex toys using mild soap and warm water, here’s how to do it with ease:
One thing to know if you have motorized or non-waterproof toys—use a damp cloth with soapy water to wipe down the surface rather than submerging the toy under water.
Alright, the next popular cleaning option is to use isopropyl alcohol to clean your sex toys. The advantage of this cleaning method is that it offers strong disinfecting power and kills most bacteria and viruses that may live on the surface of your sex toy. It’s a quick-drying method, and it works wonders on non-porous, waterproof toys.
What’s not so great about this cleaning method is that it can degrade silicone and porous materials (like jelly) over time. So, that may negatively impact your toy’s longevity. This cleaning method may also cause irritation on the skin if you’re particularly sensitive, so that’s also something to be mindful of.
Using isopropyl alcohol is the best for sex toys made from these materials:
Technically, you can use alcohol to clean your silicone sex toys, but it’s not recommended if you want your toys to last as long as possible. Alcohol can dry out and degrade silicone over time, which may make the surface sticky.
Now, occasional use may not ruin your silicone sex toys, but long-term? It may not be the best way to clean sex toys made from silicone, so you may want to opt for a different cleaning method.
Alright, if you want to clean your sex toys with isopropyl alcohol, here’s how to do it the right way:
If you have a sex toy with motors, avoid using isopropyl alcohol to clean them unless the sex toy manufacturer’s manual states it’s safe to do so. Better be safe than sorry, so always double-check!
The last, most popular, and best way to clean your sex toys is to use special sex toy cleaners. Now, these sex toy cleaners are great because they’re designed specifically for sex toy hygiene and maintenance. Most of them are typically pH-balanced and body-safe, which shouldn’t cause any irritations. Also, sex toy cleaners are super easy to use and are safe for all sex toy materials, including delicate and porous ones (like jelly).
Another great advantage of these sex toy cleaners is that they can be super useful for cleaning sex toys that are difficult to rinse or may not be allowed to submerge (splashproof or water-resistant toys).
Of course, there are some cons, too. One of the biggest obstacles to using sex toy cleaners is that they tend to be pricey—most often, much more expensive than soap or alcohol. Also, some of these sex toy cleaners may have scents and ingredients that may irritate sensitive skin.
If you choose to use a specialized sex toy cleaner to clean your sex toys, here’s how to do it correctly:
It’s always a good idea to check the toy cleaner ingredients before you make a purchase to ensure the cleaner doesn’t contain alcohol, parabens, or unnecessary fragrances to avoid skin irritation and to protect toys made from silicone or porous materials.
As you know, not all sex toys are created equally. Each toy is unique and made from a different material that requires different care—what works for a glass dildo may not be safe for a rubber dildo.
Let’s break down each material and the best cleaning method for each:
Alright, if you’re still confused about when to clean your sex toys and when to disinfect them, we’ve got you! Here are general guidelines to help you decide:
Even if you have only the best intentions in mind and want to keep your sex toys clean, some cleaning habits can do more harm than good. That’s alright—once you know the common mistakes people often make when it comes to sex toy cleaning practices, you’ll be able to find what works best.
Here are the most common sex toy cleaning mistakes you want to avoid:
Using bleach, ammonia, and disinfectant sprays not designed for use on sex toys is a bad idea. These harsh chemicals can break down materials and even cause irritation to your skin. Avoid using harsh household chemicals and opt for sex toy cleaners, soap, water, or alcohol (if the sex toy manufacturer allows it).
Another common mistake that’s totally understandable, because most of us are always in a rush, is not rinsing the sex toys properly after cleaning them. Soap or sex toy cleaner residue can lead to skin irritation, allergic reactions, and even infections. Make sure you’re rinsing your sex toys thoroughly after every single wash and let them dry fully before storing them away.
We already answered the popular question, “Can you clean silicone with alcohol?” earlier, but to reiterate the information again—while it’s not forbidden, it may be risky. That’s one mistake people often make when caring for their toys—they don’t check whether the sex toy material is compatible with their chosen cleaning method. Always read the sex toy manual to make sure your cleaning method won’t harm your sex toys.
One of the most dangerous mistakes you can make is to store your toys away before they dry completely, or store them without washing them. Toys stored wet are the breeding ground for bacteria and mold, which can be harmful to your health. Storing the toys dirty also makes harmful bacteria grow, which is dangerous.
Always allow your sex toys to dry thoroughly before you store them away. When storing, make sure you keep them in a cool, clean, and breathable place so the mold and bacteria don’t have a place to grow.
As you may tell, when it comes to choosing the best way to clean sex toys, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But there are best practices to choose from, which will depend on your preferences and what sex toys you have.
For most sex toys, using mild soap and water will do the trick. However, if you want added reassurance, a sex toy cleaner can be a safe and convenient option, especially for more delicate materials.
While isopropyl alcohol is a powerful disinfectant (nobody will argue with that), it may not be the best for every single sex toy material. It should be reserved for specific materials like glass or stainless steel.
Sex toy hygiene doesn’t have to be complicated! Once you know the right method for your toy, it’s pretty simple yet has great benefits—it will protect your health, extend your toy’s lifespan, and allow you to enjoy worry-free pleasure every time.
What’s your preferred way of cleaning your sex toys?
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