Sex toys are a fun way to elevate partnered play and your solo self-care routines. But just like anything that comes in close and intimate contact with your body, sex toys require regular upkeep. Sex toy hygiene isn’t just about cleanliness—it’s about health, safety, and longevity.
You see, improper cleaning can lead to bacterial buildup, which can cause irritation and even infections. And forgetting to store the sex toys properly can cause damage to your favorite toy.
The good news? Proper sex toy maintenance is easier than you think—a few simple, consistent habits can keep your collection safe to enjoy for years to come.
In this sex toy hygiene guide, we’ll walk you through the most common mistakes people make and exactly how to avoid them so you can play confidently and safely.
So, what are the most common hygiene mistakes people make with their sex toys, and how to avoid them? Let’s dive in!
Most people don’t think about it, but you should be cleaning your new sex toys before you use them for the first time. Why? Even though a toy is new and unused, it may still have residue from the manufacturing process, dust or debris from packaging, and contaminants from handling.
Always clean sex toys before the first use, even if you’re so excited to use them that you can barely wait. Cleaning it will take five minutes, tops. Here’s what you need to know:
Another common mistake people make is using the wrong cleaning products for their sex toys. While it may be tempting to grab any disinfectant to remove any and all bacteria, harsh household chemicals can degrade the delicate sex toy materials (such as silicone), cause skin irritation or even allergic reactions, and damage waterproof seals and mechanical parts of the toys (such as motors).
To avoid accidentally ruining your favorite sex toy or causing skin irritations, make sure you use proper tools for cleaning sex toys. Here are things to keep in mind:
One of the biggest mistakes people make is not cleaning their sex toys after every use. This is crucial for health and safety! After you use a sex toy, it may contain bodily fluids, residue of lubricants, and bacteria or fungi from skin or mucous membranes.
Even toys made from high-quality, non-porous materials like glass, silicone, and stainless steel aren’t immune to contamination if the toys are not cleaned properly and regularly.
That’s why it’s important that you clean your sex toys before and after every use, with no exceptions. Wash your sex toy with warm water and mild soap (or a sex toy cleaner). After, air dry it completely before storing it away.
You may disinfect some sex toys by boiling them for a few minutes. But that’s not a must every time, and you always have to double-check with the manufacturer’s manual to ensure that it’s allowed for any specific toy.
Not all sex toys are created equal, and the materials of the sex toys you choose matter more than you may think. Essentially, there are two groups that most sex toy materials can be grouped into: non-porous and porous.
Porous materials—like jelly rubber or TPR—often harbor the bacteria in very tiny holes, even after washing the toy. These materials also absorb odors and fluids much more easily, and these materials tend to degrade over time very quickly.
To ensure the longevity of your sex toys and prevent any health hazards that may come from using sex toys made from poor materials, always choose safe sex toy materials like:
Most sex toy brands list the materials their sex toys are made from, so always check on the website. If you don’t see the materials listed, or they’re not explained properly, it may be a sign that the manufacturer is not using the best quality materials, and that’s why they’re hesitant to list the materials on their website.
Another thing to note when purchasing a sex toy is whether or not the toy is waterproof. Waterproof sex toys mean that you can submerge them in water fully without the toy malfunctioning, which is key for proper cleaning.
Some toys are only water-resistant or splash-proof, which may prevent you from cleaning them properly. Always check that the toys are marked as waterproof (IPX7).
Just like proper cleaning matters, so does proper storage. Poor storage can encourage bacterial or mold growth on your sex toys in humid environments. It can also cause a material breakdown if you store sex toys together (that’s especially true for silicone-on-silicone). Also, improper storage can damage your sex toys or the battery itself.
If you want to ensure longevity and prevent your sex toys from growing mold or bacteria while they’re not in use, follow these toy storage tips:
Proper storage is not complicated, yet it makes a huge difference!
Lube is your best friend that can help enhance sensations and make things glide smoothly. However, not all lubes work with all sex toys. Using the wrong type of lube can break down silicone sex toys, degrade latex condoms (or toys), and leave sticky residue on your toys that’s hard (or impossible) to clean.
Nobody wants to deal with that! That’s why it’s so important to match your lube to your favorite sex toy:
Sharing sex toys with partner(s) can be super fun and sexy. Also, many sex toys are versatile enough to use in different orifices of the body, which can also be fun. However, to ensure safe and pleasurable play, you have to do it properly.
Sharing sex toys with partner(s) or using them in different orifices without proper cleaning can spread STIs through bodily fluids and may cause yeast or bacterial infections because vaginal microflora is super sensitive and can be thrown off easily.
If you use sex toys made from porous materials, the risk is even higher since they can’t be fully disinfected.
That being said, you can definitely use sex toys between different orifices and share them with your partner(s)! Just make sure you’re following the proper guidelines:
Charging your sex toys properly is crucial for longevity. Leaving your rechargeable sex toy dead in a drawer for months can shorten the battery life. If you have battery-powered toys, leaving the battery inside the toy when not in use for prolonged periods of time can degrade the internal components and lead to battery leakage, which can ruin your sex toy.
To ensure your sex toys serve you for years to come, charge your rechargeable sex toys every 2-3 months, even if you’re not using them regularly. For battery-operated toys, remove the batteries once you’re done using the toy.
When charging your rechargeable sex toys, don’t go overboard—don’t leave it charging for extended periods of time, unplug once the battery is full.
Now that we’ve covered the most common sex toy hygiene mistakes people make let’s go over a quick go-to routine for sex toy care based on different materials.
The best types of materials for sex toys are silicone, glass, or stainless steel. It’s super easy to clean, disinfect, and maintain these toys, so they should last you a long time.
When washing, use warm water and mild soap (or a sex toy cleaner if you prefer). If your sex toys don’t have motors, you can sanitize them by boiling the toys for 2-5 minutes.
After cleaning, air dry the toys or pat them dry with a lint-free towel before storing them away in individual breathable, lint-free pouches or special cases.
When it comes to ABS plastic, you can wipe the toy down with warm, soapy water on a cloth or toy-safe cleaner. Before you submerge it into water, make sure it’s waterproof and not only splashproof. ABS plastic toys are rarely waterproof and submergible, so make sure you check the manual.
Do not boil to sanitize. Store the same way you would silicone, stainless steel, and glass toys in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Sex toys made from jelly, rubber, TPR, and other porous materials are hard to clean and sanitize fully. To ensure safety, you may want to always use these toys with condoms. This will prevent the bacteria from building up.
Clean the toys with warm water or sex toy cleaner if you prefer, and store them just like other types of sex toys. You may want to replace these types of sex toys more often—every 3-6 months if you’re using them regularly.
Okay, you may be wondering if any of these three sanitization methods are safe for your favorite sex toy. The answer is: it depends. Here’s what you want to keep in mind:
All the tips in the guide will help keep you safe and keep your toys in great condition for many years to come. That’s why proper sex toy maintenance is so important. However, even if you care for your toys well, they’re not designed to last forever. At some point, it may be time to replace them.
When do you know it’s time to replace your favorite sex toy? Well, if you notice any of these things, it may be time:
Another thing to keep in mind: high-quality sex toys can last for years with care, but porous or budget toys may need more frequent replacement.
Your sex toys deserve the same love and care you give your body! That’s why practicing sex toy hygiene is so important. Whether you’re a seasoned sex toy user or a newbie, make sure you’re avoiding these sex toy hygiene mistakes:
By following these sex toy safety tips, you’ll know that every solo or partnered session is safe, which will make the experience much more satisfying and pleasurable. Your body (and your toys) will thank you!
Ready to take the next step in the body-safe pleasure journey? Check out our guide on choosing the best body-safe toys that are right for you.Â
Discover pleasure with:
SONA 2
ENIGMA
F1S V2
HUGO 2
GIGI 3
SORAYA Wave
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