How to Clean and Store Sex Toys by Material
By Maya Laurent (staff professional name) · Last updated October 27, 2026 · Medical review: pending · Editorial Policy
Short answer: wash every toy after each use with the method its maker gives, dry it fully, and store it on its own. Cleaning lowers but may not remove all germs: a 2014 study found HPV on some vibrators right after cleaning. If a toy is shared, the UK's NHS advises washing it and covering it with a new condom before anyone else uses it.
Key facts
- Cleaning is not the same as sterile: in a 2014 Indiana University study, HPV was still found on 5 of 9 TPE vibrator shafts and 4 of 9 silicone vibrator shafts right after cleaning with a commercial cleaner.
- Material mattered after 24 hours: 24 hours after cleaning, HPV was still found on 2 of the 5 TPE shafts that tested positive after cleaning. None of the silicone shafts tested positive at 24 hours.
- Sharing is common: in a 2017 Canadian survey of 1,435 people, 52.3% reported using sex toys and 21.7% reported sharing a toy with a partner.
- Soap and water is the usual method: most survey participants said they clean toys regularly with soap and water.
- NHS advice on sharing: don't share sex toys; if you do, wash them and cover them with a new condom before anyone else uses them.
Cleaning and storage by material
| Material | Porous? | Usual cleaning | Storage | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% silicone | No | Warm water and mild unscented soap or a toy cleaner. Some makers allow boiling or a dishwasher top rack for non-motorized toys; check first. | Separate pouch; keep away from other silicone | Silicone lube can damage some silicone toys |
| Borosilicate glass | No | Warm water and mild soap | Padded pouch | Chips or cracks: stop using |
| Stainless steel / aluminium | No | Warm water and mild soap | Dry fully before storing | Scratches or rough spots |
| ABS (hard plastic) | No | Wipe or wash; keep water off charging ports unless rated waterproof | Dry, cool place | Cracked seams near buttons |
| TPE / TPR | Yes | Warm water and mild soap; dry fully | On its own; can absorb dyes from other toys | Stickiness, tears, odour: replace |
| PVC / "jelly" | Yes | Hard to clean fully; use a condom | On its own | Oily film, smell, cloudiness: replace |
| Leather, rope, fabric (bondage gear) | Varies | Follow the maker's care label; leather needs its own cleaner | Dry, ventilated | Not for internal use |
The maker's instructions come first. Motorized toys need their waterproof rating checked before any rinse. For why material matters, see our guide to sex toy materials and regulation.
Step by step: after every use
- Clean soon after use, before fluids dry on the surface.
- Turn off and lock motorized toys, and close charging covers.
- Wash with warm water and mild, unscented soap or a toy cleaner, unless the maker says otherwise. Get into seams and grooves.
- Rinse well so no soap is left on the surface.
- Air-dry or pat dry with a clean, lint-free cloth. Store only when fully dry.
- Store each toy on its own in a clean pouch or box, away from heat and sunlight.
Sharing and switching between body areas
- Use a new condom per person on toys you share, and wash between users (NHS).
- Use a new condom or wash when moving between the anus and vagina.
- Porous toys (TPE, PVC, jelly) are harder to clean fully, so keep them to one person or always use a condom.
- Infections can pass on shared toys: the NHS says chlamydia can spread through fluids on sex toys.
When to replace a toy
- Cracks, chips, tears or deep scratches, where germs can collect.
- Sticky, oily or cloudy surfaces, or a smell that stays after washing.
- Visible wear. A 2023 lab study found that worn toys shed micro- and nanoplastic particles, under test conditions that were not real use.
What the evidence does not show
- Small samples: the HPV study had 12 participants and two vibrators.
- Detection is not infection: finding HPV DNA on a toy does not prove it would cause an infection.
- One cleaner tested: the study used one commercial cleaner, not soap and water or boiling.
- Survey data is self-reported: the Canadian survey shows what people say they do, not what works best.
FAQ
How often should you clean sex toys?
After every use, and between uses on different body areas or different people.
Does cleaning remove all germs from a sex toy?
Not always. In the 2014 study, HPV was found on some vibrators right after cleaning, and on some TPE vibrators 24 hours later.
Can you boil a silicone sex toy?
Some makers allow it for non-motorized 100% silicone toys. Check the maker's instructions first. Never boil a toy with a motor or battery.
Is it safe to share sex toys?
The NHS advises against sharing. If you do, wash the toy and cover it with a new condom before anyone else uses it.
How we made this page
We read the studies and NHS guidance listed below. We did not run lab tests. Figures come only from those sources. Care steps by material follow common maker instructions; always check your own toy's instructions. We review this page every 6 months, or sooner if new guidance or peer-reviewed research appears.
Sources
- Anderson TA, Schick V, Herbenick D, Dodge B, Fortenberry JD. "A study of human papillomavirus on vaginally inserted sex toys, before and after cleaning, among women who have sex with women and men." Sexually Transmitted Infections 90(7):529-531 (2014). doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2014-051558
- Wood J, Crann S, Cunningham S, Money D, O'Doherty K. "A cross-sectional survey of sex toy use, characteristics of sex toy use hygiene behaviours, and vulvovaginal health outcomes in Canada." The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality 26(3):196-204 (2017). doi.org/10.3138/cjhs.2017-0016
- NHS. "Chlamydia." Last reviewed October 24, 2024. nhs.uk/conditions/chlamydia
- Sipe JM, et al. "Bringing sex toys out of the dark: exploring unmitigated risks." Microplastics and Nanoplastics 3, 6 (2023). doi.org/10.1186/s43591-023-00054-6
Disclosures
We're a retailer: myluxurytoys sells sex toys and toy cleaners. We don't name or link products on this page.
AI use: drafted with AI assistance, then checked against the sources above by our team. Medical review is pending. See our Editorial Policy.
Not medical advice: for symptoms or infection concerns, see a clinician or sexual health clinic.
More guides and research: the My Luxury Toys Learn hub.