Cleaning, Sharing, and Caring for Your Toys

By: The Pleasure Chest

Clean before and after every use. A quick spritz with the right toy cleaner keeps bacteria at bay and your body happy.
Material matters. Non-porous toys (think glass, silicone, steel) can be shared safely once cleaned; porous materials need a barrier method every time.
Pair smart. The right toy cleaner and lube combo doesn't just protect you; it protects your investment, so your favorite couples vibrator or anal toy lasts for many encores.

Your toys work hard for you, so let's talk about how to return the favor. Consider this your lecture hall session on toy hygiene: no judgment, no prerequisites, just the good, the clean, and the occasionally slippery truth about keeping your collection in top shape. Whether you're toy-curious or a seasoned collector with a drawer that needs its own zip code, class is in session.

Sex Hygiene 101: Why Cleaning Matters

Let's start with the syllabus basics: toys touch some of the most sensitive real estate on the body, which means bacteria, yeast, and leftover lube don't just disappear on their own. Skip a wash (or wing it with the wrong product) and you're risking irritation, infection, and a toy that ages faster than it should.

The golden rule of sex hygiene, straight from the front of the classroom: clean your toys before and after every use, no exceptions, no "I'll get to it later." Even toys resting quietly in a drawer collect dust and lint, so a pre-play rinse ensures nothing joins the party uninvited.

A Quick Materials Lesson

Consider this the required reading for the course: knowing what your toy is made of tells you exactly how to clean it, what lube to pair it with, and whether it's safe to share. Materials fall into two broad categories, non-porous and porous, and the distinction matters more than most people realize.

Non-Porous Materials

These are dense enough that bacteria can't burrow into microscopic surface pores, which makes them easy to fully disinfect and generally safe to share once properly cleaned.

Stainless steel is prized for its hardness, heft, and hygiene. It can be cooled or warmed for temperature play and used with any lubricant. Clean with soap and water, in the dishwasher, or with a 10% bleach solution.
Glass works with all lube types and cleans up with simple soap and water. Skip hollow glass, avoid extreme temperature swings, and retire any piece that becomes cracked or chipped.
Silicone is hypoallergenic, hygienic, and durable. Wash with soap and water; toys without electrical components can even be boiled for three minutes or run on the top rack of the dishwasher (no detergent). One caveat worth repeating: silicone toys should never be used with silicone lube.
Ceramic toys are double-fired and glazed to be non-porous and durable, safe for temperature play, and compatible with any lube. Clean with soap and water or isopropyl alcohol, then air dry.
Medical-grade plastic and elastomer blends are non-porous, easy to clean, and compatible with all lube types. Soap and water does the trick.
Pyrex is impact- and temperature-resistant glass that can be sterilized with soap and water, boiling, or a run through the dishwasher.
Aluminum warms quickly to body temperature but can also be cooled or heated with water for temperature play. It works with any lubricant and cleans with simple soap and water.
Wood (used in high-quality dildos) is typically coated with a food-safe or medical-grade finish that makes it non-porous. Compatible with any lube; clean with soap and water or alcohol. Don't boil it, and retire it if deep scratches appear.

Porous Materials

These have a more textured surface that can trap bacteria and yeast even after a thorough wash, which means they aren't safe to share without a barrier method like a condom.

Jelly-rubber contains latex and phthalates, plastic softeners linked to carcinogenic properties, and should always be used with a condom, especially for insertable play. Clean with soap and warm water or a toy cleaner.
Cyberskin (also sold as Ultraskin, Softskin, or UR3) is delicate and should only be paired with water-based lube. Wash gently with soap and water, air dry, and lightly powder with cornstarch (never talcum powder near the genitals) to maintain its texture. Condom use is highly recommended no matter how many partners are involved.
Elastomer and TPR (thermoplastic rubber) are durable, hypoallergenic soft plastics free of phthalates. Use water-based lube and clean with soap and water or toy cleaner.
Hard plastic is, surprisingly, somewhat porous. It works with any lube and cleans up with soap and water or toy cleaner.
Acrylic pairs with any lube type and cleans easily with soap and warm water.
Silagel, silicone blends, and vinyl clean up with soap and water or toy cleaner. They contain fewer potentially problematic chemicals than jelly-rubber, but they're still porous, so a condom is still recommended.
Neoprene can be washed with mild soap and water or toy cleaner and should be fully air dried.
Nitrile is a latex-free synthetic used in many cock rings and gloves, a good alternative for latex sensitivities. Clean rings with mild soap and water or toy cleaner, and always dispose of gloves after a single use.
Nylon straps and harnesses can go in the washing machine on delicate (a lingerie bag helps protect their shape) or be hand washed and air dried.
Leather should be cleaned with soap and water, a leather cleaner, or a rubbing alcohol solution, then air dried for at least 24 hours. Never soak it, and a leather conditioner will keep it soft and supple over time.

Need easy access to this info? Our Sex Toy Materials, Care & Cleaning guide is worth bookmarking for reference.

The Best Sex Toys Deserve the Best Toy Cleaner

A dedicated toy cleaner takes the guesswork out of the equation. No wondering whether dish soap is really doing the job, or whether that "gentle" cleanser is secretly harsh on delicate materials. Here are three standouts, each with its own personality:

Wicked Cleene Antibacterial Toy Cleaner is the overachiever of the bunch: fast-acting, fragrance-free, and boosted with lavender and olive leaf extract. Alcohol-free, paraben-free, and triclosan-free, it plays well with silicone, rubber, plastic, metal, and glass.

The One Toy Cleaner keeps it refreshingly simple: a gentle foaming spray that lifts bacteria without harsh fumes or sticky residue. Spray, wait, rinse, dry: an easy A+ routine for regular upkeep.

Sliquid Shine Toy Cleaner is valedictorian material for the natural-minded: NSF-certified organic, made with aloe, tea tree oil, and castor oil. Hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and residue-free, nothing but good vibes here.

The Cleaning Routine, Step by Step

Whichever cleaner earns a spot in your nightstand, the process stays refreshingly simple:

Spray the cleaner directly onto your toy's surface.
Let it sit for a few seconds so it can break down bacteria and residue.
Rinse with warm water (for fully waterproof toys).
Dry thoroughly with a clean, lint-free cloth before storing.

A couple of pro tips from the back of the classroom:

Motorized or electronic toys shouldn't take a full dunk unless labeled fully waterproof. Spray the body, and carefully wipe around any buttons or charging ports.
Never store toys damp. Trapped moisture is a welcome mat for bacteria, so let everything air-dry completely first.

Sharing Toys, With Anyone and Everyone

Whether you're sharing with one partner, several, or exploring toys in a group setting, the hygiene fundamentals stay the same: clean thoroughly between each person, know your materials, and use barrier methods when in doubt.

Group Sex Pleasure Chest For couples looking to level up together, check out our guide to the best toys for couples with different needs. But the same principles apply well beyond a twosome. If toys are moving between multiple people, whether that's a throuple, a group scene, or a play party, treat every hand-off like a fresh start: clean the toy, and if it's porous, cover it with a fresh condom before it changes hands (or bodies).

Non-porous toys can typically be shared safely once properly cleaned between each use or each person. Porous toys are the exception that proves the rule. They can trap bacteria even post-wash, so a barrier method is strongly recommended any time a toy is shared, no matter how many people are involved.

Toys aren’t the only thing that we recommend barriers with. Dental dams make oral play worry-free (and a little delicious) for any configuration of partners:

Trust Dam Latex Dental Dam, a flavored, latex 6"x8" sheet.
Dental Dams – Assorted Flavors, a five-pack featuring strawberry, mint, grape, banana, and vanilla.

Pop Quiz: Cleaner, Lube, and Compatibility

Good Clean Love Almost Naked Organic Personal Lubricant Here's a rule worth memorizing: silicone lube and silicone toys don't mix. The combination can degrade the silicone in your toy over time. Water-based lube is the safe, versatile answer, compatible with nearly every material on the roster. We cover the full "why" in our post on why water-based lube is everyone's best friend.

Two water-based standouts worth adding to your lineup:

Good Clean Love Almost Naked is certified organic and pH-balanced, with aloe vera and a light lemon-vanilla flavor: long-lasting glide, zero sticky cleanup.

The One Organic Water-Based Lubricant brings spa-quality silkiness with aloe vera and purified water, gentle enough for daily use, with a disc-top cap for mess-free dispensing.

Storage: Give Your Toys a Room of Their Own

A little organization keeps your whole collection cleaner between uses:

Keep toys separated in individual fabric pouches or a dedicated drawer. Letting materials touch each other (especially porous ones) can cause them to degrade.
Avoid heat and direct sunlight, which can warp or break down certain materials over time.
Check in periodically for cracks, tears, or stickiness, telltale signs it's time to retire a piece, especially anything porous.

Class Dismissed (For Now)

Clean before and after every use, match your cleaner and lube to your toy's material, and store everything somewhere dry and dust-free. A few small habits are the difference between a collection that lasts and one that needs constant replacing.

Ready to stock up? Shop our full range of toy cleaners, dental dams, and lubricants, because the best sex toys deserve the best care.

FAQ

How often should I clean my toys? Before and after every single use, no exceptions. Even toys stored carefully collect dust between sessions.

Can I share a toy with my partner or partners? Non-porous toys (silicone, glass, stainless steel, ceramic) can be shared safely once properly cleaned between each use or person. Porous toys should always be used with a barrier method, like a condom, when shared, whether that's with one partner or several.

Are dental dams only for couples? Not at all. Dental dams work for any number of partners engaging in oral play; just make sure everyone has a fresh one, and swap between partners as needed.

Can I use regular soap instead of a toy cleaner? Mild soap and water works for many non-porous materials, but a dedicated toy cleaner is formulated to be gentle on materials while still fully sanitizing, and it skips fragrances or additives that can irritate sensitive skin.

Is silicone lube okay to use with silicone toys? No. Silicone lube can break down silicone toys over time. Stick with water-based lube for compatibility across nearly all materials.

How should I store my toys between uses? Keep them clean, fully dry, and separated (individual pouches or a dedicated drawer work well), away from direct heat or sunlight.

Source: Healthline — How to Clean Sex Toys