Nothing spices up the bedroom like adding in a few toys from cock rings, plugs, lubes, and vibrators! While fooling around is fun, there’s nothing sexy in saying how dirty of a toy you have on your hands. Taking proper care of your toys before and after each use ensures many days of healthy, clean fun! That’s why Adult Empire has put together a guide on how to clean your favorite toys!

Prior to Use

Before you start off your sexy solo or play session take a minute to look over your toys! Get up close and personal with it (it already knows you inside and out). Make sure nothing seems off: lick it, sniff it, touch it before you give it a go! Inspect them for any visible stains and damaged areas that could be a possible place for bacteria to grow. Also, you don’t want to grab a toy that’s covered in lint or your pet’s fur.

Inspect it before every use for discoloration, odd or new smells, and black spots (this means mildew is growing in the pores) – if you see anything off, toss the sucker immediately.

If you ever experience itching or burning while using the toy or after using a toy, get rid of it immediately and replace it with silicone.

Quick Clean

Regular hand soap and water can be used to clean off lube if you are not sharing the toy.

On metal, plastic, glass, wood, and most silicone (check with the manufacturer to be certain) you can wipe it down with rubbing alcohol wipes.

How to Sanitize

You can only sanitize non-porous materials, which means it’s okay to use on different partners after washing/sanitizing. Porous materials should be covered in a condom, or only used on one person.

Boil

Some glass, metal, and silicone plugs and dildos can be boiled for 3-5 minutes or ran through “Sanitize Cycle” by themselves in the dishwasher with no detergent or other dishes (if you don’t have a Sanitize setting on the dishwasher, then don’t bother).

If you want to boil, place a hand towel in the bottom of the pot to avoid rolling, damage, and cracking on the sides. Be careful! Glass and metal hold onto temperature really well so items remain hot.

User Tip: Quick boil your butt toys can help keep butt odor away!

Bleach

Bleach Solution: 10% Bleach, 90% Cold Water.

• Never heat bleach! Toxic to you, and becomes extremely corrosive.
• After a 3-minute soak in the 10%, you must wash the piece in mild soap and water to remove any bleach traces.

User Tip! The Nitty Gritty Details

When two materials meet crevice forms and give a tiny place for bacteria to start forming and some toys may even have a textured area that will need extra attention that an old toothbrush can get into.

Editor’s Note:
My preferred method is a simple soap-and-water wash in the sink, especially after solo or monogamous sessions. If I wash my hands like this daily it’s good enough for me! A part of my monthly deep clean sanitizes to always have my bases covered.

 

Know Your Materials!

Vibrators

• DO NOT BOIL/DISHWASH This can destroy the engine in the toy.
  
• Using an alcohol wipe is ideal for toys that aren’t waterproof.

Silicone

• Silicone may be non-porous, but it is considered a microporous that can hold onto odor.
  
• If you share your toys, consider the cleaning options that sanitize, like alcohol wipe down, boiling for dildos and plugs, or 10% bleach solution rinse.

Glass / Ceramic

• Examine glass or ceramic the toy every time for cracks or chips; if damaged replace the toy!
• Be careful! Glass holds on to temperature really well so items remain hot for a while.
• Borosilicate glass is better at withstanding temperature changes and the high heat of a dishwasher or boiling water, soda lime glass may not be.
  

Wood

• Clean your wood sex toys with a soft cloth, and do not use abrasive cleaners
• Depending on the finish this can be porous or non-porous
• Most are finished in a polyurethane or lacquer that is body-safe
• Some smaller producers may use wax or oil to finish their products. The toy will only be temporary waterproof after use and washing. “Natural Finish” usually means a wax or oil.

Metal

• Be careful, metal holds on to temperature really well so items remain hot for a while.
• Dishwasher Safe
• Never use anything abrasive when cleaning the toy and store it in a pouch.

 

Hard Plastic (ABS):

• ABS plastic is non-toxic
  
• No boiling here!
• Shiny ABS plastic can handle rubbing alcohol, PU coated might not. Sometimes listed as having a PU coat – this means polyurethane.

 

Thermoplastics (TPR)

• It cannot be sterilized! This means you can not share this toy between partners that are not fluid-bonded.
• Use a condom with this material for the safest option.

 

Realistic Materials

*(CyberskinTM, UR3, FuturoticTM, NeoSkin®, Soft TouchTM, UltraSkin, and FauxskinT)

• Cleaning is best left to a simple, gentle soap and water method followed by a dusting with cornstarch.
• Make sure these are 100% dry before you store them, as they can mildew.
• Store separately; CAN NOT touch items of the same material
• Replace it every 4-6 months.
• DO NOT clean these sex toys with harsh chemicals – the chemicals can stay in the pores of the material that comes into contact with your skin.

 

PVC / Jelly / Rubber / Latex

• Covered in a Condom is recommended
• High risk of containing phthalates
• Water-Based Lubes Only

User Tip:
When using a condom on a toy, make sure to purchase non-lubricated condoms, or condoms that state “water-based lube” to avoid a reaction with silicone toys.

Silicone and Hard Material : Use Latex Condoms
Porous Materials : Use Polyurethane Condoms

Toy Storage:

Silicone and shiny ABS plastic can be stored anywhere, can be touching.

• Satin/cotton/organza/ drawstring bags
• More plush or padded for the metal/ceramic/glass toys
• Store in a small suitcase, bag or drawer
• Super-soft or porous materials store inside a plastic bag or undyed muslin/cotton

Batteries:

Battery-operated vibes should be stored without the batteries inside unless it is a toy you use daily and batteries will drain before there’s any chance of corrosion.

 

Research Material:

Sex Toy Cleaning Guide / Material Information Guide ©  Dangerous Lilly*