A sex toy is the one thing you own that touches the most sensitive skin on your body — and the one thing people are least sure how to clean. Get it right and a good body-safe toy lasts for years. Get it wrong and you're risking irritation, infections, and a toy that degrades in months. The good news: cleaning most toys takes under a minute, and the rules are simple once you know which material you're holding.
This guide breaks it down by material, because that's what actually determines how you clean and store a toy. If you're shopping for something easy to keep clean, our whole range is body-safe silicone first — browse best sellers here.
Why Cleaning Your Sex Toys Actually Matters
This isn't fussiness. Bacteria, yeast, and other microbes transfer easily to and from body-safe surfaces, and a toy that isn't cleaned between uses can reintroduce them next time. Shared toys, or toys that move between different parts of the body in one session, carry the highest risk. Cleaning properly prevents UTIs, yeast infections, and bacterial vaginosis — the three most common issues linked to poorly maintained toys.
The one rule that prevents most problems
Clean before and after every use, and never move a toy from anal to vaginal use without cleaning it (or covering it with a fresh condom) in between. That single rule prevents the large majority of toy-related infections. Everything below is detail on top of it.
How to Clean Toys by Material
Not sure what your toy is made of? Body-safe silicone has a soft, slightly matte, drag-when-dry feel. Hard plastic (ABS) is glossy and rigid. Glass and metal are obvious by weight and temperature. Check the product page if you're unsure — every 1sttoy listing states the material.
Body-safe silicone — warm water and mild soap
The everyday clean: warm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap. Rinse thoroughly, because leftover soap is a common cause of irritation. For non-motorised, fully waterproof silicone toys you can also boil them for 3–5 minutes or run them through the top rack of a dishwasher (no detergent) to sanitise. Never boil or submerge a motorised or rechargeable toy — water in the motor kills it.
Hard plastic (ABS) — quick wipe, keep water off the charge port
Most bullet vibrators and many rechargeable toys use ABS plastic. Wipe with warm soapy water or a toy-safe cleaner, keeping water away from the charging port and battery compartment. These are usually splash-proof, not submersible, so a damp cloth beats a rinse under the tap.
Glass and stainless steel — the easiest to sanitise
Non-porous and heat-safe, glass and metal toys are the simplest to fully sterilise: soap and water for everyday, or boiling water for a deep clean. They also take temperature play well — warm or cool them in water before use. Inspect glass for chips before every use; a chipped glass toy should be retired immediately.
Porous materials (TPE, jelly, "realistic" skin) — cover, don't share
Porous materials can't be fully sterilised — bacteria live in microscopic pores that cleaning can't reach. Wash them with warm water and mild soap, dry completely, and always use a fresh condom over them, especially if sharing. This is exactly why we lead with body-safe silicone; if you're choosing a new toy, silicone saves you this headache entirely. See body-safe silicone dildos →
What Never to Use on Your Toys
No alcohol, bleach, or harsh household cleaners
Alcohol and bleach degrade silicone and dry out every material, leaving a rough, irritating surface. Household disinfectants leave residues you do not want near sensitive skin. Skip them all — mild soap and water, or a dedicated toy cleaner, is all any toy needs.
Silicone lube on silicone toys — the one combination to avoid
Silicone-based lube chemically bonds with silicone toys and permanently damages the surface, turning it tacky and porous. Always use water-based lube with silicone toys — it's safe with every material and rinses off cleanly. New to lube? Read our full lube guide.
How to Store Your Toys Properly
Fully dry, separated, out of sunlight
Dry every toy completely before storing — trapped moisture grows mildew. Store silicone toys so they don't touch each other or other materials; different silicones can react and leave marks over time. A cloth bag, a lined drawer, or the original box all work. Keep toys out of direct sunlight and away from heat, which degrades both materials and batteries.
Battery care for rechargeables
Lithium batteries in rechargeable toys last longest if you charge them fully before first use and avoid repeatedly running them completely flat. If you won't use a toy for a while, store it around half-charged rather than empty.
When to Replace a Toy
Retire any toy that has tears, cracks, sticky or flaking surfaces, a persistent smell after cleaning, or a chipped edge (glass). A body-safe silicone, glass, or metal toy that's cleaned and stored well can last many years. Porous toys have a much shorter safe life — months, not years — which is the real cost behind their lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use soap and water, or do I need a special toy cleaner?
For most toys, warm water and a mild fragrance-free soap is genuinely enough. A dedicated toy cleaner is convenient for a fast between-rounds wipe and for porous materials, but it isn't essential for body-safe silicone, glass, or metal.
Can I boil my vibrator to sanitise it?
Only if it's 100% silicone, glass, or metal with no motor, battery, or electronics. Boiling a rechargeable or battery toy destroys it. When in doubt, soap and water is always safe.
How do I clean a toy I can't get wet?
For motorised toys that aren't waterproof, use a damp cloth with mild soapy water or a toy cleaner, keep the charge port dry, and towel-dry immediately. Check the product page for the waterproof rating before rinsing anything under a tap.
Is it safe to share toys with a partner?
Yes, with care: clean thoroughly between users, or roll a fresh condom onto the toy and swap it between people. This is essential for porous toys and good practice for all of them.
What lube is safe to use so my toy lasts?
Water-based lube is safe with every toy material and every body. Avoid silicone lube on silicone toys. See toy-safe lubes and cleaning essentials →
Keep It Clean, Keep It Lasting
Clean before and after, match your method to the material, use water-based lube, and store everything dry and separate. Do that and a good toy repays you for years. If you're upgrading from a porous toy to something easier to care for, body-safe silicone is the move.
Every 1sttoy order ships in a plain, unbranded courier bag with a generic label and no product details on the invoice — standard NZ Post / Aramex delivery, typically 2–5 business days.
Shop toy-safe lubes & cleaning essentials →
