Sex toys like vibrators, dildos, and anal toys come in direct contact with bodily fluids, so it’s important to know how to clean them properly. Cleaning your sex toys doesn’t have to be complicated, but the consequences of neglecting to do so can be.
“Using unclean sex toys can potentially introduce unwanted bacteria or other pathogens-like fungi-into the vulvar-vaginal environment that can lead to the overgrowth of bacteria known as bacterial vaginosis or cause a urinary tract infection,” said sexologist Amanda Morgan, an associate professor-in-residence at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. “It is especially important to thoroughly clean toys that are used by multiple partners.”
Almost every type of sex toy can be surface-cleaned, using liquid soap and water, and then air-dried. But we will also identify situations where it’s better to more thoroughly disinfect your toys.
For surface cleaning
- Water
- Soap: Liquid hand soap or castile soap is preferred. Antibacterial soap is fine but not necessary. Avoid using harsh soaps like dish soap.
- Paper towels or clean washcloths: Use these to air-dry toys after cleaning.
For deep cleaning
- Pot for boiling water: You can disinfect a variety of toys by first surface-cleaning them https://www.hookupdate.net/illicit-encounters-review and then submerging them in boiling water for just a few minutes.
- Bleach and spray bottle (or another receptacle for a bleach solution): Boiling and bleaching will kill most-but not all-pathogens on your toys.
- Dishwasher: Make sure your dishwasher offers the appropriate settings to disinfect. Otherwise, you’re better off boiling or bleaching your toys.
- Paper towels or clean washcloths: Use these to air-dry toys after cleaning.
Optional
- Sex-toy wipes or cleaning sprays: In most cases you’ll be just fine with plain soap and water.
Cleaning times will vary, depending on the method you use. When you surface-clean toys, expect to spend one to three minutes per toy-not including air-drying time. If you plan to boil a toy, expect to spend another three minutes to fully disinfect it. Bleaching toys to disinfect them takes roughly 10 minutes. If you choose to use a dishwasher (yes, in some cases you can), plan for a full-rinse cycle (timing may vary).
How to choose your cleaning method
Although here we provide general guidelines for cleaning different types of sex toys, it is always a good idea to also refer to your toy’s manual, if possible, to learn the best way to clean it.
We consulted Searah Deysach, owner of Chicago-based sex toy store Early to Bed, and Sophia Chase, proprietor of Chicago Dungeon Rentals (and a former Early to Bed staff member) for advice on best practices for cleaning sex toys.
- Cleaning removes material from the surface.
“Your vibrator, ball gag, or butt plug at a minimum should be clean,” said Chase. “There shouldn’t be lube or body fluids left on it. If you are the only person using it, or it’s just you and a fluid-bonded partner, washing the toy with … soap and water is usually enough. Unless you’re doing invasive medical play, sterilizing is overkill. What we’re [typically] aiming for is disinfecting or sanitizing our toys.”
Our cleaning advice is intended for nonporous toys that are used on the genitals and that are made of materials such as 100% silicone, metal, borosilicate glass, or hard plastic, like ABS or TPC. It’s difficult to thoroughly clean porous toys, including jelly rubber, “silicone blend,” PVC, leather, and certain types of stones. Porous toys can harbor bacteria, so experts do not recommend using them.
Note, though, that not all toys marketed as silicone are 100% silicone, particularly toys that have a “soft skin”–type texture. You can try a flame test to confirm that your toy is 100% silicone: You should be able to hold a lighter to the toy for a quick spot check without the toy’s surface melting (PDF). We recommend doing this flame test only with nonmechanized toys like dildos.