How to Clean and Store Sex Toys (By Material)
By Adult Provisions Team · Oct 16, 2026
Caring for your toys isn't the most exciting part of owning them, but it's one of the kindest things you can do for yourself (and anyone you share them with). A quick clean after each use keeps things fresh. It also helps your favorites feel good and last longer, and it means you're never caught off guard by a dusty toy at the back of a drawer.
This guide covers how to clean toys by material, what to do with toys that have motors, and how to store everything so it's ready when you are. One rule applies to everything here: always follow the care instructions that came with your toy. Makers know their materials best, and their directions come first.
Why does cleaning your toys matter?
Anything that touches skin picks up body oils, lube and lint. If a toy goes back in the drawer without a rinse, that residue can build up over time. The toy can start to look cloudy, feel tacky, or smell less than fresh. Some materials can even break down faster when they're stored dirty.
Regular cleaning keeps your toys feeling nice, protects your investment, and gives you peace of mind. The easiest habit is to clean a toy soon after you use it, and give it a quick rinse before you use it again if it's been sitting a while.
What do you need to clean a sex toy?
You don't need a big kit. Most people do fine with:
- Warm water
- A mild, unscented soap, or a cleaner made for toys
- A clean, lint-free towel or a fresh paper towel
- A breathable pouch or a clean, dry spot to store things
A dedicated toy cleaner is handy because it's made to be gentle on common toy materials and easy to use. You can find quick-spray options in our spray cleaners, and foam cleaners if you like something that clings and rinses off easily. Skip harsh household products like bleach, alcohol-heavy wipes or abrasive scrubbers unless your toy's instructions specifically say they're OK. They can dull or damage some surfaces.
How do you clean sex toys by material?
The material is the biggest factor in how you clean a toy. Check the packaging or product page if you're not sure what yours is made of.
Silicone
Body-safe silicone is non-porous, which makes it one of the easiest materials to care for. Wash it with warm water and mild soap or a toy cleaner, rinse well, and let it dry. Some solid silicone toys with no motor or battery can be boiled or put in the top rack of a dishwasher, but only if the maker says so. If the instructions don't mention it, don't do it.
One tip: silicone lube can sometimes react with silicone toys and leave the surface gummy. If you're unsure, a water-based lube is a safe pairing for most toys.
Glass
Glass is non-porous and smooth, so warm soapy water and a good rinse usually do the job. Handle it gently, especially when it's wet and slippery, and check now and then for chips or cracks. If you find damage, stop using the toy. Like silicone, some solid glass toys can be boiled or run through a dishwasher if the maker approves. Avoid sudden temperature changes, which can stress the glass.
Stainless steel
Steel is durable and non-porous. Wash it with warm water and mild soap, rinse, and dry it thoroughly so water spots don't form. Some solid steel toys without electronics can be boiled if the instructions allow it. Store steel so it won't knock against glass or other hard toys.
ABS plastic
ABS is the hard, smooth plastic used in many vibrators and bullets. It's non-porous, but it usually comes with electronics inside, so hold it under water only as far as its water rating allows (more on that below). A wipe with warm soapy water or a spritz of toy cleaner, then a rinse or a damp cloth, works well.
Porous materials: TPE, TPR, jelly and stroker sleeves
Softer, squishier materials like TPE, TPR, jelly and many stroker sleeves feel great, but they're porous. They have tiny openings that can hold on to residue, and they can be harder to fully clean. Here's how to care for them:
- Wash with warm (not hot) water and mild soap or a toy cleaner made for porous materials.
- For sleeves, rinse the inside thoroughly. Turn them inside out if the design allows it.
- Dry them completely before storing. This step matters most with porous toys.
- Some makers recommend a light dusting with a renewing or maintenance powder to keep the texture soft.
- Never boil porous toys or use harsh chemicals on them.
Because porous toys are harder to deep-clean, many people use them solo only, or cover them with a condom when sharing.
How do you clean toys with motors or batteries?
Toys with electronics need a little extra care. Start by checking the water rating:
- Waterproof (often listed with a rating like IPX7) usually means the toy can be rinsed or submerged as the maker describes. Many are fine in the bath or shower.
- Splashproof or water-resistant means it can handle a splash or a damp cloth, but it shouldn't go under running water or be submerged.
- No rating means keep water away from the body seams, charging port and battery area.
For any toy with electronics:
- Turn it off. Unplug it, or take the batteries out if it uses them.
- Make sure charging ports and battery covers are closed or sealed.
- Wipe or rinse it based on its rating, using mild soap or toy cleaner.
- Dry it completely, paying attention to seams and buttons, before charging or storing.
Never charge a toy while it's wet. If it uses batteries, take them out for long-term storage. Keep a few spares on hand from our batteries collection.
How should you dry your toys?
Drying is the step people skip, and it matters. Pat toys dry with a clean, lint-free towel, then let them air-dry fully on a clean surface before you put them away. Lint-free matters because silicone and soft materials love to pick up fuzz. Moisture trapped in a pouch or drawer can lead to stale smells or marks, especially on porous materials and stroker sleeves.
What's the best way to store sex toys?
Good storage keeps toys clean, protected and discreet:
- Store each toy separately. Some materials, especially soft TPE or jelly, can react with each other when they touch and become sticky or discolored. A fabric pouch or its own box works well.
- Keep them cool, dry and out of direct sunlight. Heat and sunlight can break down some materials over time.
- Choose breathable over airtight for anything that might hold a little moisture.
- Keep chargers and cords with their toys so nothing goes missing.
- Think about privacy. A lockable box or a dedicated drawer keeps things tidy and out of sight, which helps if you live with roommates or family.
What about shared toys and condoms?
If you share toys with a partner, communication and cleaning go hand in hand. Clean toys before and after sharing. For porous toys, or any toy that's moving between partners or between different kinds of play, many people put a fresh condom over the toy each time. Using a new condom for each partner or activity is a simple, low-fuss habit. Always pair condoms with a lube that the condom packaging says is compatible.
If you have questions about your sexual health or how to share toys safely, a healthcare provider is the best person to ask.
When is it time to replace a sex toy?
Even well-loved toys don't last forever. Consider replacing one if you notice:
- Cracks, tears, chips or a rough surface
- A sticky, tacky or cloudy texture that doesn't wash away
- A lingering smell after cleaning
- Discoloration that wasn't there before
- Electronics that work only some of the time, or a battery that won't hold a charge
Porous toys usually have a shorter lifespan than silicone, glass or steel. If a toy gives you any doubt, it's OK to retire it and treat yourself to a new one.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use regular dish soap to clean my toys? A mild, unscented soap is usually fine for non-porous toys like silicone, glass and steel. Rinse well so no residue is left behind. For porous materials, or if you want something made for the job, use a gentle toy cleaner, and always check your toy's care instructions first.
Can I boil my sex toy? Only some toys can be boiled. That's usually solid silicone, glass or stainless steel with no motor or battery, and only when the maker says boiling is OK. Never boil toys with electronics or porous materials like TPE, jelly or sleeves.
How often should I clean my toys? After every use is the best habit. It's also smart to rinse a toy before using it if it's been in storage for a while.
Does the kind of lube I use affect cleaning? It can. Water-based lube rinses off easily and works with most toy materials. Silicone lube is long-lasting but can be harder to wash off, and it doesn't always pair well with silicone toys. Check both the lube and toy labels for compatibility.
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