TL;DR

• Most toys clean up with warm water and mild, fragrance-free soap. The safe method depends on the material and the waterproof rating, not on who owns the toy.
  
  
• Non-electronic toys (glass, steel, solid silicone) can be washed freely and are often submersible.
  
  
• Electronic toys follow the waterproof rating: fully waterproof can be rinsed, splashproof gets wiped only, and the charging port and magnetic contacts always stay dry.
  
  
• Rinse off all soap, dry completely inside and out, and store toys separately in a clean, dry place.
  
  
• Cleaning removes residue. True sanitizing (like boiling) is only for solid, non-porous, non-electronic materials the maker approves.

Knowing how to clean sex toys properly is the difference between a product that lasts for years and one that turns sticky, smelly, or unsafe after a month. The good news is that cleaning is simple once you know two things about your toy: what it is made from and whether it has a motor inside. Those two answers decide everything else. This guide walks through the safe method for every type Wyink stocks, plus how to dry and store toys so they stay body-safe between uses.

How to Clean Any Sex Toy: The Quick Method

For most toys, the routine is the same five steps. Learn this once, and it covers the majority of your collection.

1. Check the material and the maker's care instructions.
   
   
2. Wash compatible surfaces with warm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap.
   
   
3. Rinse thoroughly so no soap residue is left behind.
   
   
4. Dry completely, including seams, openings, and removable parts.
   
   
5. Store separately in a clean, dry pouch or container.

The exceptions to this routine come down to one question, which is where most people go wrong.

Electronic vs Non-Electronic: The One Distinction That Matters Most

The single most useful thing to know before cleaning is whether your toy has electronics inside. This is the fork that decides how much water it can touch.

Non-electronic toys are the easy case. Solid silicone dildos and plugs, glass toys, and stainless steel toys have no motor, no battery, and no port. Water is not a threat, so you can wash them freely under the tap, and many are fully submersible. Some can even be boiled or sanitized, which we cover below.

Electronic toys are governed by their waterproof rating, not by the fact that they vibrate. This is the detail that trips people up. A silicone exterior does not mean the toy is safe to dunk in water.

• Fully waterproof (often marked IPX7) toys can be rinsed under running water or briefly submerged. Check the manual to confirm the rating before you do.
  
  
• Splashproof or water-resistant toys must be wiped down with a damp cloth around the motor and never submerged.

One rule applies to every electronic toy, regardless of rating: the charging port and magnetic charging contacts stay dry, always. Water in the port is the most common way a rechargeable toy dies, and most cleaning guides skip this entirely. Wipe around the port with a barely damp cloth, keep it away from the tap, and let it air dry fully before charging.

How to Clean Your Sex Toys by Type

The cleaning method changes by product type, not by gender. A plug is cleaned the same way whether it lives in a For Him or For Her drawer.

How to Clean a Vibrator

Start by checking the waterproof rating on the box or in the manual. If it is fully waterproof, rinse the body under warm water with a little mild soap, keeping the charging port angled away from the stream. If it is only splashproof, wipe the silicone or ABS surfaces with a damp, soapy cloth and wipe again with a clean damp cloth to remove residue. Pat it dry and let it air dry completely before storing or charging. If you are still deciding which style suits you, our guide to bullet vibrator vs wand vibrator breaks down the differences.

How to Clean a Male Masturbator or Sleeve

Sleeves need the most attention because their textured interiors trap lube and bodily fluids. Remove the sleeve from any hard case first, then wash the inside thoroughly with warm water and mild soap, working it inside out where the design allows. Rinse until the water runs completely clear, because leftover soap can irritate skin on the next use.

Drying is the step that makes or breaks a sleeve. Pat it with a lint-free towel, then stand it up or hang it to air dry fully inside before reassembling, since trapped moisture is what causes odor and material breakdown. Some soft materials benefit from a light dusting of renewing (cornstarch-based) powder once dry to keep the surface smooth. For full technique, see how to use a male masturbator, and browse care-friendly options in the men's sex toys collection.

How to Clean Plugs, Dildos, and Glass or Steel Toys

Non-porous, non-electronic toys are the simplest of all. Solid silicone, glass, and stainless steel wash clean with warm water and mild soap in under a minute, and their seamless surfaces give bacteria nowhere to hide. A glass butt plug like the Nöbü Glass Gems is a good example, since borosilicate glass is non-porous and can even be boiled to sanitize when it has no electronics attached.

If you are new to this category, our beginner's guide to anal play covers safe use alongside cleaning. Whatever the material, dry steel and glass fully to avoid water spots, and inspect glass for any chips before each use.

Cleaning vs Sanitizing: What Home Cleaning Can and Cannot Do

These two words get used interchangeably, and the difference matters for your safety. Routine cleaning removes residue, lube, and surface contamination, and it is enough for personal use between sessions.

Sanitizing goes further and is only possible for certain toys. Solid, non-porous, non-electronic materials (100% silicone, glass, and steel) can often be boiled for a few minutes or wiped with a diluted bleach solution when the maker confirms it is safe. Everything with a motor, a battery, or a porous surface cannot be truly sterilized at home, so do not assume a quick wash makes any toy medically sterile. This honesty matters most if you plan to share a toy or move it between body areas, where a fresh condom or a fully sanitizable material is the safer choice.

Toy compatibility with lubricants is part of long-term care too, since the wrong pairing can degrade a surface over time. Our guide to water-based vs silicone lube explains which lube suits which material.

How to Store Sex Toys Safely

Storage is the quiet half of care that keeps toys body-safe between uses. The first rule is to store toys only once they are completely dry, because sealing away any moisture invites odor and material damage.

Keep toys in a cool, dark, dry spot away from direct sunlight and heat. Store them separately rather than in one shared box, since some silicone formulas can react and grow tacky when pressed against other silicone for long periods. A soft cloth pouch or a dedicated lidded container protects against dust and lint, which cling to silicone easily. For rechargeable toys in long-term storage, keep them partially charged and remove disposable batteries so they cannot corrode inside the toy.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often should you clean sex toys? 
   
   Clean toys after every use, and again before use if they have been stored for a while or exposed to dust. A quick rinse before first use of a brand-new toy is also worth doing.
2. Can you clean sex toys with soap and water? 
   
   Yes. Warm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap are suitable for most toys. Avoid harsh household cleaners, strongly scented soaps, and abrasive scrubbers.
   
3. Can you boil sex toys? 
   
   Only solid, non-porous, non-electronic toys like 100% silicone, glass, and stainless steel, and only when the maker confirms it. Never boil anything with a motor, battery, or coating.
4. Can you use rubbing alcohol to clean sex toys? 
   
   It is best avoided as a routine method, since alcohol and disinfectant wipes can dry out or degrade some materials. Check the maker's guidance first, and never use it on porous surfaces.
5. How long should a toy dry before storing it? 
   
   Until it is completely dry, inside and out, including seams, openings, and removable sleeves. Air drying fully is more important than rushing it back into a drawer.
6. Should you clean a new sex toy before the first use? 
   
   Yes. Give any new toy a quick wash with warm water and mild soap before its first use to remove any manufacturing or packaging residue.

Build a Routine You Will Actually Keep

The easiest toys to care for are the ones with clear materials and honest labeling, so check those details before you buy your next one. Explore the body-safe range in the sex toys for women collection, all with discreet, plain-box delivery across the US.