How to Clean Sex Toys: A Complete Guide by Material

Cleaning your sex toys isn't optional, and it isn't complicated — but it does depend on what your toy is made of. The wrong cleaning method can damage your toy. The right one keeps you safe and extends the life of your investment.

Here's exactly what to do, broken down by material.

Why cleaning matters

Sex toys come into contact with body fluids, skin bacteria, and mucous membranes. Without proper cleaning, bacteria and yeast can survive on the surface and cause infections — bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, and UTIs among them. If you share toys with a partner, improperly cleaned toys can also transmit sexually transmitted infections.

The good news is that cleaning is straightforward once you know your material. This guide covers everything.

Step one: know what your toy is made of

Before you can clean properly, you need to know what you're working with. Check the packaging or manufacturer's website if you're not sure. The material determines everything that follows.

The two categories that matter most:

Non-porous materials — silicone, borosilicate glass, stainless steel, aluminum, ABS hard plastic — can be thoroughly cleaned and in most cases fully sterilized. Bacteria cannot penetrate the surface.

Porous materials — jelly rubber, PVC, cyberskin, rubber, latex — have microscopic surface irregularities that trap bacteria even after surface cleaning. These can be cleaned but not sterilized. Always use a condom with porous toys.

Cleaning by material

100% silicone (no motor or electronics)

This is the easiest toy to clean and the one that can be most thoroughly sterilized.

Option 1: Boil for five to ten minutes in a pot of water. Let cool completely before handling.

Option 2: Run through the top rack of the dishwasher without detergent on a hot cycle.

Option 3: Wash thoroughly with warm water and unscented antibacterial soap, rinse well, and air dry.

For sterilization between partners or after any concern about contamination, boiling or the dishwasher method is preferable to soap and water alone.

One important note: this applies only to 100% silicone toys with no electronic components. If your silicone toy has a motor, battery compartment, or charging port, follow the motorized toy instructions below.

Borosilicate glass

Glass is non-porous, body-safe, and one of the most hygienic toy materials available.

Boil for five to ten minutes, run through the dishwasher, or wash with warm water and unscented soap. Glass can handle all three methods without damage.

Glass toys can also be used with temperature play — warmed in warm water or cooled in the refrigerator — and this doesn't affect their cleaning requirements. Always inspect glass toys before use for any chips or cracks. A compromised glass toy should be retired immediately.

Stainless steel and aluminum

Metal toys are non-porous, extremely durable, and easy to sterilize.

Boil, run through the dishwasher, soak in a 1:10 bleach-to-water solution for ten minutes, or wash with soap and warm water. All methods are effective.

If your metal toy has electronic components, do not boil or soak — wipe down with a damp soapy cloth instead and dry thoroughly.

ABS hard plastic

Hard plastic is non-porous and body-safe but will warp under high heat. Do not boil.

Wash with warm water and unscented antibacterial soap. Rinse thoroughly and air dry. That's all it needs.

Motorized and rechargeable toys — any material

The motor changes everything. Even if the toy's outer material could technically be boiled, the electronics cannot.

Wipe the toy down with a damp cloth and a small amount of unscented soap. Clean carefully around any seams, buttons, or charging ports without submerging. Rinse the cloth and wipe again to remove any soap residue. Dry thoroughly before storing or charging.

Many motorized toys are splash-proof but not submersible. Check your specific toy's IP rating if you want to know exactly how much water exposure it can handle. When in doubt, wipe rather than rinse.

Cyberskin, TPE, TPR, and jelly rubber

These porous materials require the most caution. They cannot be sterilized — only surface-cleaned.

Wash gently with warm water and mild unscented soap. Do not scrub aggressively as this can damage the surface. Rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry completely before storing.

Cyberskin and similar materials can become sticky over time. A light dusting of cornstarch — not talcum powder — after drying will help maintain the texture and prevent sticking.

Always use a condom with porous toys. This is especially important when sharing or if you have any active infections.

Replace porous toys when they show signs of degradation: stickiness that doesn't go away after cleaning, discoloration, cracking, or a persistent chemical smell.

Rubber and latex

Same approach as porous toys above. Wash with warm water and mild soap, rinse well, air dry. Always use a condom.

Natural rubber and latex can also cause allergic reactions in some people. If you experience any irritation, redness, or swelling after use, the material may be the culprit.

Nylon harnesses and fabric components

Run through the top rack of the dishwasher or hand wash with soap and warm water. Allow to dry completely before storing — trapped moisture in fabric can cause mildew.

The soap question

Always use unscented soap. Scented soaps, antibacterial soaps with added fragrance, and harsh household cleaners can leave residue that irritates sensitive tissue. Unscented, mild antibacterial soap is the right tool for the job.

Avoid dish soap with heavy degreasers, bleach directly on toy surfaces outside of the diluted solution method for metal, and any spray cleaners not specifically formulated for sex toys.

Sex toy cleaning sprays are available and convenient for quick cleaning between sessions, but they don't replace a proper wash. Use them as a supplement, not a substitute.

Drying and storage

This step matters more than most people realize. Storing a toy while it's still damp creates conditions for mold and bacterial growth, even on non-porous materials.

Air dry completely before storing. For motorized toys, dry particularly carefully around charging ports and seams.

Store toys individually — in the bag or pouch they came with, or in a clean fabric bag. Keeping toys separated prevents silicone-on-silicone bonding and reduces dust and lint accumulation. A dedicated drawer or storage box works well.

Keep toys away from direct sunlight and extreme heat, which can degrade materials over time.

Before and after every use

Before: do a quick visual inspection. Check for cracks, tears, rough seams, or any changes in texture or smell. A toy showing signs of wear should be retired rather than used.

After: clean promptly. The longer body fluids sit on a surface, the harder they are to remove and the more opportunity bacteria has to multiply.

When to replace a toy

No toy lasts forever. Replace when you notice:

Cracks, chips, or tears in the surface. Persistent odor that doesn't go away after cleaning. Stickiness or tackiness on porous materials. Discoloration that suggests material breakdown. Any change in texture that feels rough or uneven.

A good toy that's properly cared for will last for years. One that's showing breakdown should be replaced — the cost of a new toy is significantly less than treating an infection.

If you're still figuring out what toy is right for you, start here: Our guide to choosing the right sex toy

Related reading

For the full picture on sex toy materials and what to look for when buying: Sex Toy Safety: The Complete Guide to Materials, Cleaning, and Safe Play

For lube compatibility by toy material: [The Lube Guide] — coming soon