You bought quality toys, so cleaning them well is part of protecting that investment. The single most important thing to understand about how to clean sex toys properly is that the method depends entirely on what the toy is made of. Silicone, glass, hard plastic, and soft elastomers each respond differently to heat, soap, alcohol, and even the lube you pair them with.
Treat hygiene as a baseline act of self-respect, not a chore you squeeze in after the fact. Your toys touch the most permeable tissue on your body. A few minutes of correct care keeps them safe, comfortable, and lasting for years instead of months.
Why Toy Material Dictates Cleaning Method
The surface of a toy either has microscopic pores or it doesn’t. That single physical property decides everything else: whether bacteria can burrow in, whether the toy can be fully sterilized, and which cleaning agents will damage it. Non-porous materials like 100% silicone, borosilicate glass, and stainless steel can be cleaned down to a sterile state. Porous materials like TPE and TPR cannot, no matter how carefully you wash.
This is why a one-size-fits-all “use toy cleaner” instruction falls short. A spray that works beautifully on a silicone vibrator can strip and crack a TPE sleeve in a matter of weeks. Boiling water that safely sterilizes a glass dildo will warp a soft elastomer beyond recognition. The cleaner you choose matters far less than matching the cleaner to the surface chemistry in front of you.
Before you reach for any product, check two things on the toy or its packaging: the material name and whether the toy has a motor. A motorless 100% silicone dildo and a rechargeable silicone vibrator share a material but have very different care rules, because electronics and boiling water do not mix. When the manual lists an IP rating, IPX7 means the toy can be fully submerged and IPX4 means splashproof only. That rating guides how much water you can use at all.
Cleaning by Material: Silicone, Glass, ABS Plastic, TPE/TPR
Below is a material-by-material breakdown of the four most common toy surfaces. Each has its own care protocol, and the differences are not subtle. Use the table as a quick reference, then read the details that apply to what you own.
| Material | Porous? | Daily Clean | Deep Clean | Never Do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% Silicone | No | Warm water + mild unscented soap | Boil 3 to 5 min (motorless only), or 10% bleach solution | Silicone lube; boil motorized toys |
| Borosilicate Glass | No | Warm water + mild soap | Boil 3 to 5 min, or top-rack dishwasher (no detergent) | Use if chipped or cracked |
| ABS Plastic | No | Warm water + mild soap | Wipe with 70% isopropyl alcohol | Boil; bleach; high heat |
| TPE / TPR | Yes | Warm water + fragrance-free, alcohol-free soap or cleaner | None possible; use a condom for internal use | Boil; alcohol; bleach; silicone lube |
100% Silicone
Silicone is the most common body-safe material and the easiest to care for. It is non-porous, hypoallergenic, and chemically stable. For everyday cleaning, wash with warm water and a mild, unscented soap, paying attention to seams and around buttons. Rinse thoroughly, because soap residue left on silicone can irritate sensitive tissue on the next use.
For a deeper clean, motorless solid silicone toys can be boiled for three to five minutes or placed on the top rack of a dishwasher on a rinse cycle with no detergent. Boiling kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi at 100 degrees Celsius, a level soap and spray cannot reach. Do this monthly at most, since frequent high heat accelerates wear. A 10% bleach solution (one part household bleach to nine parts water) is another occasional sterilization option, useful after anal use or before sharing. Rinse extremely thoroughly afterward.
One rule trips up more silicone-toy owners than any other: never use silicone-based lube with a silicone toy. The lube bonds to the toy surface and creates a permanent sticky residue that cannot be washed off. Water-based lube only. For more detail on why this reaction happens and how to avoid it, this type of material-specific information is worth confirming with your toy’s manufacturer documentation.
Borosilicate Glass
Glass toys are arguably the easiest surfaces on earth to clean. Borosilicate glass is non-porous, compatible with every type of lube, and tolerant of heat, bleach, and dishwashers. Wash with warm water and soap after each use. For sterilization, boil for three to five minutes or run through the top rack of the dishwasher without detergent.
The one non-negotiable for glass is inspection. Before every use, run your fingers over the entire surface in good light, checking for chips, cracks, or rough spots. A microcrack you can barely feel becomes a sharp edge in a very sensitive area. If you find any damage, retire the toy immediately, no matter how much you love it. Store glass in a padded pouch to prevent knocks against harder items.
ABS Plastic
ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is the hard plastic used in bullet vibrators, wand handles, and many toy casings. It is non-porous and phthalate-free, making it safe for body contact, but it is not as heat-tolerant as silicone or glass. Wash with warm, not hot, water and mild soap. For disinfection, wipe with 70% isopropyl alcohol and let it air dry fully.
ABS cannot be boiled, and bleach damages it over time, so skip both. If a rechargeable ABS-bodied toy has corrosion around the charging contacts, a cotton swab dipped in 70% alcohol will clean the port. Let it dry completely before charging. As with any non-motorized toy you share, use a condom to add a barrier layer.
TPE and TPR (Thermoplastic Elastomer / Rubber)
This is where cleaning gets honest. TPE and TPR are porous, which means bacteria, fluids, and odors penetrate the surface and cannot be fully removed by any cleaning method. The University of Rochester’s health office confirms that TPR in particular absorbs germs even with washing, and recommends using a condom with these toys to eliminate infection risk.
For daily care, wash with warm water and a fragrance-free, alcohol-free soap or a dedicated toy cleaner formulated for porous materials. Avoid harsh agents entirely: no bleach, no rubbing alcohol, no hydrogen peroxide, no antibacterial soaps with triclosan. These strip and crack the surface faster than everyday use ever would.
Boiling is off the table. TPE begins to deform at temperatures above about 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and a pot of boiling water is 212 degrees. The result is not a cleaner toy but a warped, shrunken, ruined one. The same applies to dishwashers. If you want a toy you can sterilize with heat, choose silicone.
TPE and TPR toys have a finite safe lifespan. Plan to replace them every 6 to 12 months, or sooner if the surface becomes sticky, discolored, or develops a persistent odor. These are signs of material breakdown, not dirt you can wash away.
Soap, Water, or Toy Cleaner: What You Actually Need
For most non-porous toys, warm water and a mild, fragrance-free, dye-free soap is everything you need. That is not a compromise. It is the most accessible, effective option for silicone, glass, and ABS plastic. “Mild” specifically means no added fragrance, no dye, no antibacterial agents like triclosan, and no heavy moisturizers that leave a film.
Toy cleaner sprays have a place, but it is narrower than marketing suggests. They are genuinely useful for porous TPE and TPR, where you want a formula designed not to degrade the material. They are also convenient for travel or for wiping down a motorized toy where you want to avoid running water near a charging port. But for a motorless silicone dildo, soap and water do the same job at a fraction of the cost.
What to skip entirely: scented body wash, dish detergent with degreasers, hand sanitizer, and any antibacterial soap. These leave residues that irritate mucosal tissue or break down toy surfaces over weeks of use. If you want a disinfection step beyond soap, 70% isopropyl alcohol is safe for silicone and ABS as an occasional deeper clean, but not for routine use on silicone, since frequent alcohol exposure dries out the surface.
Drying, Storage, and the Mistakes That Cause Damage
More toys are ruined by bad drying and storage than by any cleaning product. The rule is simple: never put a toy away damp. Trapped moisture is how silicone develops sticky patches, how metal plating corrodes, and how porous materials grow biofilm you will only notice weeks later by the smell.
The Drying Protocol
After washing, pat the toy dry with a clean, lint-free towel to pull surface moisture off quickly. Then let it air dry on a clean surface for 15 to 30 minutes before storing. For toys with internal canals or textured crevices, airflow through the opening matters more than the outside. Stand them opening-side down at an angle so air can move through, and rotate once during drying.
Storage That Prevents Damage
Store each toy in its own breathable container, ideally a cotton or microfiber pouch. Two mistakes cause chemical damage in storage: letting silicone toys touch each other, and letting any soft toy touch a non-silicone soft toy. Silicone-on-silicone contact can cause both surfaces to degrade, and chemicals from other soft materials can leach into silicone. One pouch per toy eliminates both risks.
Keep toys away from direct sunlight and heat sources, which fade colors and accelerate material breakdown. A cool, dry drawer or box is ideal. For glass, add padding so the toy doesn’t knock against harder items and develop microcracks.
How Often Should You Really Clean Each Toy?
Clean every toy before and after every use. That is not excessive. It is the standard recommended by sexual health educators, because bacteria grow quickly on any surface left with bodily fluids on it, and a toy that sat clean in a drawer still collects dust and lint.
For routine cleaning, soap and warm water after use is enough for non-porous toys. A deeper sterilization method like boiling or a bleach solution is worth doing monthly for motorless silicone, glass, or steel toys, or any time you use a toy anally or share it with a partner. For porous TPE and TPR, there is no deeper clean, which is exactly why a condom and a replacement schedule matter more than any product you can buy.
Quick-Reference Cleaning Chart
Pin this section or screenshot it for the next time you’re standing at the sink with a toy in your hand. It covers the four most common materials and the decisions you’ll make for each.
| Material | Wash With | Can Boil? | Best Lube | Replace When |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% Silicone | Warm water + unscented soap | Yes, if motorless (3 to 5 min) | Water-based only | Surface tears or feels tacky |
| Borosilicate Glass | Warm water + soap | Yes (3 to 5 min) | Any lube | Any chip, crack, or rough spot |
| ABS Plastic | Warm water + soap; alcohol wipe for disinfection | No | Most lubes | Plastic clouds or cracks |
| TPE / TPR | Warm water + fragrance-free, alcohol-free cleaner | No | Water-based; avoid silicone and oil | Every 6 to 12 months, or if sticky or odorous |
Have questions about matching care to a specific toy in your collection? Our team at Xlucia is here to help you protect what you’ve invested in, so every toy stays safe and ready when you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular hand soap to clean my sex toys?
Yes, for non-porous materials like 100% silicone, glass, and ABS plastic. Use a mild, fragrance-free, dye-free soap without antibacterial agents or heavy moisturizers. Avoid scented body wash, dish detergent with degreasers, and antibacterial soaps containing triclosan, as these leave residues that can irritate tissue or break down toy surfaces.
How do I sterilize a silicone sex toy?
Motorless solid silicone toys can be boiled for three to five minutes or placed on the top rack of a dishwasher on a rinse cycle with no detergent. A 10% bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water) also works for occasional sterilization. Never boil or submerge a motorized silicone vibrator, regardless of its waterproof rating, as boiling heat can damage electronics.
Why can’t TPE or TPR toys be fully cleaned?
TPE and TPR are porous materials with microscopic surface holes that trap bacteria, fluids, and odors. No cleaning method, including boiling, alcohol, or bleach, can fully sterilize them. Use a condom over these toys for any internal use, and replace them every 6 to 12 months, or sooner if the surface becomes sticky, discolored, or develops a persistent odor.
Can I use silicone-based lube with a silicone sex toy?
No. Silicone lube bonds to the surface of silicone toys and creates a permanent sticky residue that cannot be washed off. Use water-based lube only with silicone toys. Glass and stainless steel toys are compatible with all lube types, including silicone-based and oil-based.
How should I store sex toys to prevent damage?
Store each toy in its own breathable cotton or microfiber pouch in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Never let silicone toys touch each other or touch other soft non-silicone toys, as chemical reactions can degrade both surfaces. Always ensure toys are completely dry before storing, because trapped moisture causes sticky patches, corrosion, and biofilm growth.
