How to Clean Your Sex Toys? Best Practices to Keep your Sex Toys Safe and Sanitary

How should you clean sex toys? Clean them with warm water and mild soap or a dedicated toy cleaner before and after every use. Does the material matter? Yes. Silicone, glass, stainless steel, and TPE all require slightly different care. Why is cleaning important? Proper hygiene helps reduce bacteria buildup, supports Sexual Health and wellness, and keeps your toys in good condition for longer.

Picture this: It's a lazy Sunday morning, you're relaxing in bed, you open your bedside drawer, and your favourite massager is waiting for you. Before you enjoy the moment, there's one important step you shouldn't skip—cleaning your toy.

Just as you wouldn't use skincare tools without washing them first, your intimate products deserve the same level of care. Cleaning your sex toys before and after every use is one of the simplest ways to maintain hygiene, extend product life, and enjoy a worry-free experience.

As conversations around Sexual Health and wellness continue to become more open, understanding how to care for intimate products is just as important as knowing how to use them. This Expert-backed guide explains why cleaning matters, how different materials should be cared for, and the best practices to keep your toys safe and sanitary.

Why Is It Important to Clean Your Sex Toys?

Whether you're a first-time user or someone with experience, cleaning your sex toys is a habit worth developing. During use, toys can collect body fluids, lubricants, skin cells, lint, dust, and naturally occurring bacteria. If left uncleaned, these residues may increase the risk of irritation or unwanted bacterial growth.

Regular cleaning helps:

• Maintain proper hygiene
• Reduce bacteria buildup
• Extend the lifespan of your toys
• Preserve material quality
• Support safer intimate experiences

Think of your favourite toy as an investment in your personal pleasure and self-care. Looking after it properly ensures it's always ready when you are. If you're still building your collection, our first-timer's guide to choosing sex toys that won't let you down is a good starting point before you get to the care routine.

Reviewed by Leeza Mangaldas as part of promoting informed conversations around safe and responsible pleasure practices.

Does the Material of the Toy Matter?

Absolutely.

Different materials require different cleaning methods. Understanding what your toy is made from helps you choose the safest cleaning routine.

Silicone Toys

Body-safe silicone is one of the most popular materials because it is:

• Non-porous
• Easy to clean
• Hypoallergenic
• Durable

Products like the Pyaari Massager are made from soft, body-safe silicone. Simply wash them using warm water and mild soap or a dedicated sex toy cleaner, rinse thoroughly, towel dry, and store them in a clean pouch. Browse the massagers collection to see the full range of silicone options.

Rubber, Plastic & TPE Toys

These materials also require gentle care.

Use:

• Mild soap
• Warm water
• Gentle finger pressure

Avoid harsh scrubbing, alcohol-based cleaners, or abrasive tools that may damage the surface. Allow the toy to dry completely before storing to prevent moisture buildup. Men cleaning strokers specifically should also check out our roundup of best sex toys for men for material-specific care notes on each product.

Glass and Stainless Steel Toys

Non-motorized glass and stainless steel toys are generally easier to sterilize.

Because these materials are non-porous, many non-motorized toys can safely be sterilized in boiling water according to the manufacturer's instructions. This can be particularly helpful for toys intended for anal use, where extra attention to hygiene is recommended.

Never place motorized toys into boiling water.

Are there Any Techniques I Should Know?

Different types of sex toys demand slightly different cleaning approaches. Different shapes of the toys also result in customizing the approach for each toy.

For example, the Pyaari Massager is shaped quite uniquely. This versatile toy caters to a wide audience with its two ends: one with suction and one with vibration. It comes with different speeds and patterns as well, to let you have complete control over your experience. When cleaning this delightful toy, the pink suction end needs to be washed gently but thoroughly. You DO NOT need to use your nails or any sharp object to clean inside the suction end. Just let the water pressure of the running water from the tap in your sink, and the frothiness of soap lather do its magic. A dedicated cleanser like Squeaky Clean Toy Cleanser makes this step even easier.

When cleaning a penis stroker or sleeve made of TPE, again, be gentle but thorough. In order to feel skin-like, TPE material is ultra soft and squishy– so don’t use your nails or anything sharp with these either as you may damage the toy. Just use the pads of your fingers to soap up the toy inside and out, and wash thoroughly with running water. As always, make sure the toy is completely dry before storing. You don’t want mildew growing inside your stroker because you didn’t clean out your jizz properly, or because you put it away while it was still all wet! 😅

The magic words are: Clean thoroughly but gently; and don’t forget to dry your toys!

Cool. How Often Should I Clean Then?

The answer is simple:

Before every use and after every use.

Cleaning before use removes any dust or particles that may have settled during storage, while cleaning afterward removes body fluids and lubricant residue before bacteria have a chance to grow.

Even if you're the only person using your toy, regular cleaning remains essential for maintaining hygiene and keeping your toy in excellent condition.

Reviewed by Leeza Mangaldas as part of promoting responsible, body-positive conversations around pleasure and intimate wellness.

Any Particular Cleaning Product I Should Use?

Choosing the right cleaning products is vital to maintaining the quality of your sex toys. Opt for a specialized toy cleaner and if that is not available, clean sex toys with mild soap and warm water. That should do the trick.

Make sure to read the fine print on any cleaning products, even if it is the best product to clean sex toys. This is to avoid any adverse reactions with your body. If there are any ingredients you are allergic to, never use that to clean your toy.

Most toys come with a user manual with instructions on how to use  it. Always follow the manufacturer's cleaning recommendations to prevent damaging the toy.

• For example, a silicone toy must not be used with a silicone-based gel or lubricant because silicone lube can degrade silicone sex toys over time.
• Similarly, oil based lubes can degrade TPE (the ultra squishy skin-like material commonly used for penis sleeves and strokers) over time.

Know the materials your toys are made of, know the ingredients your lubes and cleaners are made of, and only combine products that are compatible with each other. Mixing up products incorrectly is a more common mistake than you'd think — our roundup of nine shocking sex toy mistakes you might be making covers this and a few other slip-ups worth avoiding.

Sexual Wellness & Hygiene

This almost goes without saying—but it's worth repeating.

Clean sex toys aren't only about taking care of the product. They're about taking care of yourself.

Good hygiene plays an important role in supporting Sexual Health and wellness, helping you enjoy every experience with greater comfort and confidence. Looking after your toys is simply another form of self-care—and we absolutely love that for you.

Exploring pleasure should always feel exciting, comfortable, and worry-free.

By following the right cleaning and storage practices, you're not only extending the life of your toys but also making every experience safer and more enjoyable.

At Leezu, we believe quality products deserve quality care. Whether you're using the Pyaari Massager or another favourite, a little maintenance goes a long way.

Take care of your toys, take care of yourself, and enjoy every step of your pleasure journey with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How do you clean sex toys properly?

Wash your toy with warm water and mild soap or a dedicated toy cleaner before and after every use. Dry it completely before storing.

Q2. How often should you clean your sex toys?

You should clean them both before and after every use to maintain hygiene and prevent bacteria buildup.

Q3. Can I use regular soap to clean sex toys?

Yes. Mild, fragrance-free soap is generally safe for most body-safe toys unless the manufacturer recommends a specific cleaner.

Q4. Can waterproof vibrators be washed with water?

Yes. Waterproof toys can be rinsed under running water, but avoid soaking motorized toys for extended periods.

Q5. Is it safe to boil silicone sex toys?

Only non-motorized silicone toys that are approved by the manufacturer for boiling should be sterilized this way.

Q6. Will not cleaning my sex toy cause infections?

Dirty toys can allow bacteria to build up, which may increase the risk of irritation or infection. Regular cleaning helps reduce this risk.

Q7. What is the best cleaner for sex toys?

A dedicated sex toy cleaner or warm water with mild soap is suitable for most body-safe materials.

Q8. Why is cleaning sex toys important?

Cleaning removes body fluids, lubricant residue, and bacteria, helping protect your health, maintain hygiene, and extend the life of your toys.