Cleaning matters more here than with most products you own, for a simple reason: these items contact mucous membranes, get shared between partners, and sometimes move between different parts of the body during a single session. Getting the cleaning method right by material isn't fussiness — it's the difference between something that lasts and something that grows bacteria you can't see.
Clean by material, not by habit
| Material | How to clean | Can it be boiled? |
|---|---|---|
| 100% silicone (no electronics) | Mild soap + warm water, or toy cleaner | Yes, 3–5 min |
| Borosilicate glass | Mild soap + warm water, or toy cleaner | Yes, 3–5 min |
| Stainless / surgical steel | Mild soap + warm water, or toy cleaner | Yes, 3–5 min |
| ABS plastic (rigid) | Mild soap + warm water only | No |
| Electronic / motorized | Damp cloth or isopropyl wipe on exterior only | No |
| Jelly rubber / porous PVC | Soap + water, but can't be fully sterilized — use a condom as a barrier | No |
Heat and submersion risk damaging the battery, motor, and any adhesive seals that keep water out. Even toys with an IPX water-resistance rating for use in the shower or bath aren't rated for boiling — that rating covers splash or submersion at room temperature, not sustained heat.
Non-porous vs. porous: why it changes everything
Non-porous materials — 100% silicone, glass, stainless steel, and properly sealed ABS plastic — have a smooth, closed surface with nowhere for bacteria to hide. Clean them properly and they're genuinely sanitized.
Porous materials — jelly rubber, unsealed PVC, and some cheaper elastomer blends — have microscopic gaps in the surface. Bacteria gets into those gaps, and no amount of soap, water, or wiping reaches it. This is why porous toys are generally recommended for solo use only, or with a condom as a barrier between the material and the body if shared.
Drying and storage
Air dry completely before storing anything — trapped moisture is exactly the environment mold needs, especially in toys with texture, ridges, or seams where water can sit.
- Store items separately. Silicone toys touching each other, or touching other silicone-based items, can bond or degrade at the point of contact over time. Individual storage pouches (satin bags are the industry standard and usually included) solve this and also protect against dust and surface scratching.
- Keep out of direct sunlight and heat. UV exposure and heat both accelerate material breakdown in silicone and rubber over time — a drawer or closet beats a sunny windowsill or car glovebox.
- Watch what touches silicone. Silicone-based lubricant can degrade silicone toys with repeated contact over time. This is specific to silicone-on-silicone contact — glass, steel, and ABS aren't affected by silicone lube the same way.
Quick reference before you clean anything new
- Confirm the exact material — check the product packaging or manufacturer's site if you're not sure.
- If it has a battery, motor, or charging port, it doesn't get boiled or submerged unless the manufacturer explicitly states an IPX rating that covers it.
- Dry fully with a lint-free cloth before returning to storage.
- Store separately from other toys, ideally in an individual pouch.
Frequently asked questions
Only if it's 100% silicone, glass, or stainless steel with no electronic or motorized components. Boiling anything with a battery, motor, or seam where materials meet is a fire and damage risk, and can compromise water-resistant seals.
Mild, unscented soap and warm water is enough for non-porous materials in most cases. Commercial toy cleaners are a convenient alternative, formulated for the material without leaving residue or fragrance, but they aren't strictly required if you clean thoroughly and dry fully.
Porous materials like jelly rubber, PVC without a non-porous coating, and some elastomer blends have microscopic gaps that trap bacteria below the surface, where soap and water — or even boiling, if the material could tolerate it — can't reach.
Silicone toys left touching each other, or touching other silicone-based products, can bond or degrade at the contact point over time. Individual storage pouches prevent direct material-to-material contact and also protect against dust and scratching.