How to Use & Care
How to Clean Sex Toys: By Material, Plus 4 Toy Cleaners
Jan
Knowing how to clean sex toys properly keeps them pleasant to use and helps them last. The basics are the same for nearly every toy: wash, rinse, dry, store. What changes is the detail for each material and for anything with a motor. This guide covers both, plus four toy cleaners we stock.
Shopping for a cleaner? Browse our toy cleaners for sale.
THE FOUR-STEP ROUTINE
- Before and after every use, rinse off any lube and body fluids with warm water.
- Wash with a mild, unscented soap or a toy cleaner, over every ridge and seam.
- Rinse until no soap or cleaner is left.
- Dry completely with a clean towel or in the air before you put it away.
CLEANING BY MATERIAL AND TOY TYPE
| Material or type | How to clean it | Watch out |
|---|---|---|
| Silicone (no motor) | Soap and water or a toy cleaner. Tantus says its silicone can also be boiled or put in the dishwasher. | Check that your maker allows boiling. |
| Stainless steel and glass | Soap and water or a toy cleaner, then dry. | Steel is heavy: rinse it over a towel. |
| Rechargeable, waterproof (IPX7) | Wash under the tap with soap or a cleaner. | Never clean while charging; don’t boil (Lovense, We-Vibe). |
| Rechargeable, splash-proof | Wipe with a damp, soapy cloth, then a clean damp cloth. | Keep water away from the charging port. |
| TPE and soft sleeves | Rinse inside with warm water and mild soap. | Dry completely; trapped water is the main risk. |
Maker notes from Tantus, Lovense, We-Vibe and TENGA. Your toy’s own manual always comes first.
QUICK PICKS: TOY CLEANERS
Best for: Silicone toys, especially Tantus
Best for: A foam that clings to textured toys
Best for: One spray for every toy you own
Best for: Anyone who prefers natural scents
FOUR TOY CLEANERS, REVIEWED
Live prices from our store. Prices updated October 29, 2026.
Best for: Silicone toys, especially Tantus
Tantus’s spray is made for its own silicone toys. Tantus says it’s free from triclosan, alcohol, parabens, sulfates and colorants, and the ingredients include tea tree leaf oil and a natural fragrance.
Best for: A foam that clings to textured toys
JO’s Refresh is an unscented foam that clings to the surface. JO lists it as safe for silicone, glass, metal and ABS plastic and made without glycerin, parabens, alcohol or triclosan. Leave it on for 60 seconds, then rinse.
Best for: One spray for every toy you own
Wicked’s Cleene is an alcohol-, triclosan- and paraben-free spray with olive leaf extract that Wicked lists as safe for all toys. Spray from 4 to 6 inches, wait one minute, then wipe or rinse and let it dry.
Best for: Anyone who prefers natural scents
Simply Cleene is Wicked’s toy cleaner with tea tree, rosemary, eucalyptus and peppermint, and Wicked says it’s safe for all surfaces.
| Cleaner | Price | Format | Maker says it’s for | Scent / notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tantus Toy Cleaner |
$11.05 | Spray | Tantus silicone | Tea tree, natural fragrance |
| JO Refresh Foaming Toy Cleaner |
From $8.49 | Foam | Silicone, glass, metal, ABS | Fragrance-free |
| Wicked Cleene Toy Cleaner |
$10.15 | Spray | All toys | Olive leaf extract |
| Wicked Simply Cleene |
$11.99 | Cleaner | All surfaces | Tea tree, rosemary, eucalyptus, peppermint |
From Tantus, JO and Wicked.
STORING CLEAN TOYS
- Store toys only once they’re completely dry.
- Keep them apart, in their own pouch or bag, out of direct sunlight.
- Store sleeves where air can reach them, and recharge rechargeable toys every few months (Lovense suggests at least every six months).
Your lube matters too: water-based lube is the easiest to wash off (see our lube guide). For anal toys, wash before any switch to vaginal use; our anal toys guide has more.
TOY CLEANING FAQ
How do I clean sex toys?
Wash them before and after every use with warm water and a mild, unscented soap or a toy cleaner, rinse well and let them dry completely. Then follow the maker’s notes for the material: some silicone and steel toys can also be boiled, while rechargeable toys must stay within their water rating.
Can I use dish soap on silicone toys?
A mild, unscented soap is the usual advice. Strong or perfumed detergents can leave residue, so rinse thoroughly. If the maker gives specific instructions, follow those.
Can I boil my toys?
Only toys with no motor whose maker says so. Tantus says its silicone is boilable and dishwasher safe; Lovense says not to boil its rechargeable toys.
How do I clean a toy with a motor?
Switch it off, never clean it while charging, and wash it only as far as its water rating allows: IPX7 toys can be rinsed under the tap, splash-proof ones should be wiped with a damp, soapy cloth.
How do I clean a stroker or sleeve?
Rinse inside with warm water and mild soap, then let it dry completely before storing, as trapped water is the main problem with soft sleeves. Some, like the TENGA Spinner, shouldn’t be turned fully inside out. See our male masturbators guide.
Is a toy cleaner better than soap and water?
Not necessarily; warm water and mild soap work for most toys. A cleaner is handy when you can’t get to a sink, for toys that shouldn’t be soaked, or for a foam that clings to textured surfaces.
Can I share toys?
Wash a toy thoroughly before anyone else uses it, and consider a new condom over it each time it’s shared or moved from anal to vaginal use.
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