How to Clean Sex Toys Properly: Material-Specific Care and Hygiene Tips

Cleaning sex toys properly means matching the cleaning method to the material, construction, and whether the toy has electronics. In most cases, warm water and mild unscented soap are enough for routine cleaning, but some materials need extra caution and some toys should never be submerged. Good hygiene also includes drying fully, storing items separately, and checking for damage before reuse.

If a toy is used anally, shared between partners, or moved between body areas, cleaning becomes even more important. Barrier methods such as condoms can add protection, especially on porous toys or toys that are harder to sanitize fully.

Start with the three rules that apply to almost every toy

Before focusing on material type, use these basics for nearly every sex toy:

1. Wash before first use and after every use.
2. Read the maker's care instructions, especially for vibrating, app-controlled, or electro devices.
3. Dry completely before storage to reduce moisture buildup and odor.

Remove batteries if the toy uses replaceable ones, and check whether it is waterproof, splashproof, or not water-safe at all. For electrical toys, connectors, charging ports, and seams should stay as dry as the instructions require.

How to clean non-porous sex toys

Non-porous materials are generally the easiest to clean because their surfaces do not absorb fluids as readily as porous ones. Common examples include silicone, stainless steel, glass, and some ABS plastic.

Silicone

Body-safe silicone is widely used in plugs, dildos, sleeves, and cock rings. For example, several Oxy Shop products such as the anal plugs collection and the cock rings collection include silicone designs, while products like AbyssGrip and PointMaker are specifically described as body-safe silicone.

Wash silicone with warm water and mild unscented soap, then rinse thoroughly. If the toy is non-motorized and has no mixed materials, follow any manufacturer guidance on deeper sanitizing methods. Avoid silicone-based lubricants with some silicone toys unless the maker states they are compatible, because long-term residue or material interaction can affect the surface.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel is durable, smooth, and simple to clean when the surface is intact. Oxy Shop lists stainless steel items in categories such as steel cock cages, anal hooks, and urethral devices, and products such as Guardian Arc are described as 316L stainless steel.

Use warm water and mild soap for routine cleaning, paying attention to joints, seams, vents, or locking areas on chastity devices. Dry thoroughly with a clean lint-free cloth to help prevent water spotting and to keep moving parts clean.

Glass

Non-porous glass toys can usually be washed with warm water and mild soap. Check carefully for chips, cracks, or rough spots before every use. If any damage appears, stop using the toy because surface damage can create cleaning problems and injury risk.

ABS plastic and hard resin-style surfaces

Hard plastic toys are common in vibrators, cages, and accessories. Oxy Shop also lists plastic and bioresin cages in its Bioresine & Plastic Cages collection, and products such as Nebula are described as resin while The MiniLock is described as 3D printed nylon.

Wash the surface gently with mild soap and warm water unless the toy includes electronics or the instructions say not to submerge it. Dry creases, vents, and lock points carefully before storage.

How to clean porous sex toys

Porous materials can trap fluids and microbes more easily, so they are harder to sanitize fully. Examples may include some rubber, jelly-like materials, TPE, TPR, PVC, latex, leather, and some fabric-covered toys.

Clean these items with mild soap and warm water after every use, but understand that cleaning does not always mean full disinfection. For shared use or anal use, a condom over the toy can reduce direct contact. If the surface becomes sticky, cracked, peeling, or holds odor even after washing, replace it.

Leather, faux leather, and restraint gear

Some BDSM items need care that is closer to garment or gear maintenance than toy washing. Oxy Shop carries leather and PU-style restraint products, including items in restraints, shackles and cuffs, and products such as Submissive Bondage Full Set described as PU leather, plus leather mask products like Night Prowler Mask.

Do not soak leather gear. Wipe it down with a damp cloth and use a cleaner suitable for the material when needed. Let it dry fully away from direct heat, and condition genuine leather if the maker recommends it. Faux leather should also be dried fully because trapped moisture can damage seams and backing materials.

How to clean vibrating, remote-controlled, and electro toys

Electronics change the cleaning method. Oxy Shop lists remote-controlled and electro products such as Bananasome, PulseBite, and items in the Electro Toys and Remote Controlled BDSM Toys collections.

If a toy is only splashproof, wipe it with a soapy cloth instead of submerging it. Keep charging ports, battery compartments, and electrical contacts dry unless the instructions clearly state the toy is waterproof. For electro toys, make sure the device is powered off and disconnected before cleaning, and never use harsh chemicals on conductive pads or metal contacts unless the manufacturer explicitly approves them.

Special hygiene situations

Anal toys

Anal toys should be cleaned immediately after use with extra attention to textured areas and base edges. If a toy is moved from anal use to vaginal use or shared between partners, wash it first and consider a new condom barrier for the next use. Collections such as Anal Plugs, Anal Beads, and Anal Hooks include shapes where grooves and curves need careful cleaning.

Urethral toys

Urethral sounds and penis plugs need especially careful hygiene because they contact sensitive internal tissue. Oxy Shop's urethral devices collection emphasizes different materials and medical-grade options, which makes exact care instructions and smooth surface inspection important.

Wash thoroughly according to the material and design, dry completely, and inspect for scratches, burrs, bends, or plating damage before every use. If a toy is marketed for internal urethral use, strict cleanliness matters more than scented cleaners or convenience products.

What to avoid when cleaning sex toys

• Harsh household cleaners, unless a specific dilution and compatibility is confirmed by the manufacturer.
• Scented soaps that leave residue or may irritate sensitive tissue.
• Boiling, soaking, or dishwasher cleaning for toys with motors, batteries, glued parts, paint, or mixed materials unless the maker says it is safe.
• Storing toys while damp.
• Using damaged toys with cracks, peeling, rust, sharp edges, or exposed internal parts.

How to dry and store toys safely

After washing, dry the toy completely with a clean cloth and then let it air dry if needed. Store toys separately when possible so materials do not react, surfaces do not get scratched, and lint does not collect on tacky finishes.

A breathable pouch or a clean dedicated bag helps reduce dust and contact with other items. Oxy Shop also lists a carry and storage bag designed for chastity cages, which reflects the general storage principle of keeping intimate items dry, contained, and protected between uses.

A simple material-specific cleaning table

When to replace a sex toy

Replace a toy if it develops cracks, tears, sticky breakdown, persistent odor, corrosion, sharp edges, or mechanical failure. Replace it sooner if it is porous and cannot be cleaned confidently after repeated use. Hygiene is not only about washing; it also depends on the toy remaining structurally intact.

FAQ

Can you use regular soap to clean sex toys?

Yes, mild unscented soap and warm water are suitable for many toys. The key is to rinse thoroughly and avoid harsh or heavily fragranced products that may leave residue.

Do porous sex toys need a condom?

A condom is often a good idea for porous toys, especially for shared use or anal use, because porous surfaces are harder to sanitize fully.

How often should sex toys be cleaned?

Clean toys before first use and after every use. If a toy is used between different body areas or shared with a partner, clean it before reuse during the same session.

Can waterproof vibrators be submerged?

Only if the product is specifically rated as waterproof. Splashproof toys should be wiped down instead of submerged.