How To Clean Sex Toys: The Definitive Guide

Your All-In-One Sex Toy Care Manual

If you've ever felt a little unsure about how to properly clean your sex toys, this guide is for you. Welcome to our friendly, all-you-need-to-know manual on keeping your favorite pleasure products fresh, hygienic, and safe.

What Shall Be Covered

In this sex toy cleaning guide, we'll start with essential basics everyone should know, then dive into material-specific cleaning instructions. Some points will be repeated in different sections so you won’t miss anything, especially if you scroll directly to the part you need.

This guide is long—and that’s intentional. Everything you’ll ever need to know about cleaning your sex toys is covered. And if something isn't, feel free to reach out. We love helping!

What Shall Be Exposed

Here’s why this guide stands out: it’s written with over twenty years of sexual health expertise, plus ongoing collaboration with chemists and medical professionals. In short—you’re getting information backed by science, not just hearsay.

There are many myths online about sex toy care, often shared by “experts” who don’t fully understand the science. So prepare to unlearn some misinformation, because honey… the internet can be wild.

We're Here For Ya!

If you ever have questions, we’ve got your back. Your health, safety, and happiness matter most. And hey—if you're shopping, enjoy 15% off body-safe, nontoxic sex toys using code: CLEAN15.

Sex Toy Mischief

Let’s start with a surprising reality—many people don’t clean their toys at all. In a survey of 1,000 adults:

• 70% of women clean their sex toys
• 57% of men clean their sex toys
• 19% of women never clean them
• 36% of men never clean them

This is especially concerning because many men's toys are made from highly porous elastomers, known for trapping bacteria, mold, fungi, and viruses. For the sake of good hygiene and personal health, cleaning shouldn’t be optional.

Sex Toy Hygiene: Prevent Infections & STDs

Yes—sex toys can spread infections or STDs if not cleaned correctly. A dirty toy can harbor bacteria, fungi, viruses, or mold, and certain materials can react poorly to improper cleaning.

If a toy is shared between partners without proper disinfection, STDs can be transmitted. Proper cleaning helps prevent:

• Bacterial infections
• Mold or mildew exposure
• Fungal infections
• Viral contamination

Always avoid using a toy that has been in or near the anus directly on the vagina or near the urethra without disinfecting it. This prevents harmful bacteria from causing a urinary tract infection (UTI).

If a toy cannot be disinfected due to its material (like porous toys), it should never be used for anal stimulation. More on materials later.

Sanitize & Disinfect Vs. Sterilize

These three terms sound similar but are very different:

• Sanitizing – reduces harmful microorganisms
• Disinfecting – eliminates most microorganisms
• Sterilizing – kills ALL microorganisms

Think of it like wiping your kitchen counter (sanitizing) versus cleaning surgical tools in a hospital (sterilizing).

Sex Toy Cleaners

Sex toy cleaners are designed for safe use on both porous and nonporous toys, but they have limitations—especially with porous materials.

Important notes:

• Toy cleaners help reduce surface bacteria.
• They cannot fully disinfect porous materials.
• Avoid using harsh chemicals like bleach or rubbing alcohol unless material-safe.
• Always follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions.

Using A UV Light To Clean Sex Toys

UV light can disinfect sex toys, but there are important things to consider.

Key points:

• Only UVC light is used for disinfection, but it can degrade materials like thermoplastics, thermosets, and elastomers.
• UVC exposure over time can cause microcracks where bacteria can hide.
• UV light only cleans where the beam hits—shadows or angles may prevent full cleaning.
• UV is more effective for clear porous toys, less effective for colored ones.
• You do NOT need UV light; regular cleaning is usually enough.

Cleaning Porous Sex Toys

Porous materials include elastomer, TPR, and TPE. These toys have microscopic pores that trap bacteria, viruses, and fluids. Sex toy cleaners can only sanitize the surface—they cannot fully disinfect or sterilize porous toys.

Important facts:

• Porous toys cannot be boiled or heated—they will melt or deform.
• No method can completely sterilize porous toys.
• Porous toys remain risky for anal-to-vaginal use because bacteria can stay trapped inside.
• Using a cleaner reduces bacteria, but cannot remove what lives deep inside pores.

Because of their limitations, porous toys require extra caution—and in many cases, upgrading to non-porous silicone is recommended for long-term hygiene.