Sex Toys Need Baths Too! Here’s How to Clean Sex Toys

From your favorite dildo to that crusty thing in your nightstand—learn how to clean sex toys correctly.

Be honest, dear reader, when was the last time you deep-cleaned your sex toys? Not a casual rinse. Not a “wipe and hope.” A legit, soapsuds, bacteria-busting, squeaky-clean kind of clean. Sex toys are glorious, life-affirming inventions. But they’re also germ magnets that absolutely love to hoard bacteria, viruses, and the occasional terrifying yeast bloom. Whether your toy goes up your butt, in your vagina, against your clit, or into your partner—if it’s going anywhere near your sexy parts, it better be cleaner than your search history.

Welcome to your crash course on how to clean sex toys—properly, safely, and without ruining the mood (or your mucous membranes). Your orgasms and your orifices deserve better.

Bacteria, Meet Your Match

Here's the deal: sex toys, when used without proper cleaning, can become Petri dishes faster than you can say “reusable anal plug.” We’re talking about everything from staph and E. coli to yeast and viruses like herpes and HPV. Some of these bad boys can survive on surfaces for days. DAYS. Your beloved rabbit isn’t just cuddly—it might be contagious.

Even silicone or glass toys aren’t invincible. Lube residue, bodily fluids, and skin cells cling like desperate exes. And porous toys (looking at you, cheap jelly dildos) basically invite bacteria in for an extended stay. If you’re sharing toys across partners or orifices without scrubbing them properly and/or using condoms? You’re rolling the STD dice.

So why clean your sex toys? Because sexy time shouldn’t come with a bonus trip to urgent care.

How to Clean Sex Toys

Let’s break it down by material, because not all toys were blessed with the same durability:

#1 Silicone, Stainless Steel, and Glass — the Gold Standard

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These toys are nonporous (aka bacteria-resistant) and can be sanitized thoroughly. You can usually use:

• Mild unscented soap and hot water after every use
• Dishwasher top rack, no detergent, for a deep clean (yep, really—just warn your roommates)
• Boil for 3–5 minutes, if they’re 100% silicone, glass, or stainless steel and don’t contain a vibrator or motor.

Tip: If it vibrates, do not dunk it in water unless the packaging screams “100% waterproof!” Clean the insertable parts with a damp cloth and mild soap instead.

#2 ABS Plastic & Hard Toys with Motors

These are nonporous, too, but they become fragile when moist. For safe cleaning:

• Use a lint-free cloth or soft sponge.
• Moisten with soap and warm water, careful not to soak the internal parts
• Swipe all surfaces, paying attention to seams and buttons.
• Dry it completely—don’t store wet toys unless you want a mold situation.

#3 Rubber, Jelly, and TPE (Porous, a.k.a. Bacteria’s Paradise)

Should you even be using these anymore? Honestly, toss and upgrade if you can. But if you insist:

• Use condoms on the toy every time (especially if switching users or holes)
• Wash the toy with warm water and anti-bacterial soap.
• Keep it as dry and ventilated as possible—these materials never really get clean.

#4 Leather and Fabric (Yes, Your Kink Gear Counts Too)

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Leather paddles, floggers, harnesses, or fabric ties need love too:

• Spot clean with leather-safe solution or gentle soap
• NEVER soak leather, it’ll warp
• Air dry completely
• Use alcohol wipes on hardware and do regular checkups for mildew.

# 5 Stroker Toys (Fleshlights, Masturbation Sleeves, and All the Squishy Stuff)

Whether it’s shaped like a mouth, vag, butt, alien, or literal hentai nightmare, stroker toys are orgasm machines that sip bodily fluids—and they’re often made of materials like TPE or soft silicone that require gentle, thorough care.

Here’s how to keep them from becoming gross little horror tubes:

• Immediately rinse with warm water after use—don’t let fluids dry inside.
• Use a mild, unscented soap or a toy cleaner designed for the specific toy. Be gentle, but thorough—get into those inner textures like you're exfoliating a beloved pet.
• Air dry thoroughly, inside and out. This part is crucial. Moisture trapped inside these toys leads to mold faster than horny anticipation leads to bad decisions. Some stroker toys, like Fleshlights, can be turned inside out—do that if the manufacturer says it’s safe.
• Apply renewal powder (like cornstarch or a branded version) after drying to keep tacky materials soft, non-sticky, and non-weird.

Bonus Tip: Never use these in the shower without checking if they’re waterproof—and no, your cum shower is not the same as a toy bath.

Bonus Round: Pro-Level Clean Freak Tips

• Use a toy cleaner (if you must): Some are great—some are snake oil. Look for alcohol-free, fragrance-free formulas if you go this route, and remember they’re not a replacement for water and soap. Think of them as dry shampoo, not a real shower.
• No shared toys without condoms: Doubling up anal and vaginal use without cleaning = disaster. Either scrub between rounds or put on a new condom when switching holes or partners.
• Store smart: No more toy lumps in the back of your drawer. Use breathable pouches, lint-free wrap, or toy organizers. Keep each toy separate—especially silicone, which will melt onto other silicone. (Science, baby.)
• Clean after and before use: Yes, both. Post-play to remove nasties, pre-play in case last week’s bacteria decided to throw a staycation.

Dear reader, I say this with love and zero judgment—but your sex toys deserve better than a crusty Ziploc bag and the occasional finger rinse. Knowing how to clean sex toys isn’t just about hygiene—it's about honoring your pleasure, protecting your body, and showing responsibility for the things that bring you joy (and toe-curling orgasms).

BECOME THE BEST LOVER YOU CAN BE