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How to Clean and Store Your Toys Safely
Essential
7 min read
The right cleaning method depends on your toy's material - and getting it wrong matters more than most people realise.
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Cleaning an intimate toy is not complicated, but the method varies by material - and using the wrong approach can damage the surface in ways that make the toy less hygienic, not more. This guide walks through what actually matters: which cleaners to use, how to dry and store correctly, and the signs that tell you when a toy is past its life.
Intimate toys come into contact with mucous membrane tissue, skin secretions, and lubricant - all of which can support microbial growth. A 2014 study published in Sexually Transmitted Infections found that bacteria and human papillomavirus DNA were recoverable from toy surfaces after cleaning with soap and water alone when the material was porous. The material determines how effectively cleaning works.
Porous surfaces - found in cheap jelly rubber, TPE, and unlabelled "soft" materials - have a microscopic structure that traps bacteria inside even after visible dirt is removed. Biofilm, a thin layer of microbial communities embedded in a protective matrix, can form on these surfaces and resist standard cleaning agents. Non-porous materials like medical-grade silicone and solid ABS plastic do not allow this kind of embedding.
This is also why the material you buy matters before you ever think about cleaning. A toy you cannot fully sanitise is a toy you should replace, not clean harder.
Medical-grade silicone is the most common material in well-made toys, and it is also the most forgiving to clean. Mild soap - a fragrance-free dish soap or hand wash - and warm water is all you need. Work it into a lather with your hands, wash the toy thoroughly for about 20 seconds, and rinse under warm running water. No antibacterial spray, no alcohol wipes, and no bleach - all three can degrade silicone's surface structure over repeated use, eventually creating the micro-cracks that defeat the non-porous advantage you paid for.
Non-motorised silicone toys - those with no electronics - can also be boiled for 3-5 minutes in water to sterilise them completely. This method is thorough and useful before first use or when switching between partners. Never boil a toy with a motor, battery compartment, or charging port, even if the silicone itself could handle it.
ABS plastic - the rigid matte material used on toy exteriors and some full-body hard toys - is non-porous and easy to clean. Soap and water works well. A dedicated toy-cleaning spray is also fine for hard plastic. Unlike silicone, ABS is not sensitive to alcohol, though there is no particular reason to use it when soap and water does the job.
Waterproof toys can be cleaned under running water or submerged entirely. The Aurora and other Velvet Rituals devices carry an IPX7 waterproof rating, which means they are rated for submersion up to one metre for 30 minutes - so running them under a tap or letting them sit in a bowl of soapy water for cleaning is fully within what they are built for. Non-waterproof toys must be wiped down carefully, keeping moisture away from the charging port and seams.
When a toy is used with more than one person during the same session - or at different times with different partners - the cleaning standard rises. Soap and water between uses is the minimum. For insertable toys, using a condom over the toy provides a physical barrier that makes shared use significantly safer. This approach is recommended in clinical sexual health guidelines when sterilisation between uses is not practical.
For non-motorised silicone insertables, boiling between partners is the most thorough option. If that is not possible, using a toy-specific antibacterial cleaner and then rinsing thoroughly is the next best approach. The key distinction is between cleaning to remove visible contamination and sanitising to reduce microbial load - you want to do both.
STI transmission via shared intimate toys is documented in the medical literature, though it is considered lower-risk than direct contact for most infections. Herpes simplex virus can survive on surfaces for several hours. Condoms and thorough cleaning between uses address this risk effectively.
Moisture is the variable most people skip over, but it matters. Bacteria and mould both require water to establish and grow. A toy that goes into a pouch while still damp - even slightly - provides exactly the humid, enclosed environment where microbial growth is most likely to happen between uses.
After washing, pat the toy dry with a clean lint-free cloth. Then leave it on a clean dry surface in open air for at least 20-30 minutes before storing. If you are cleaning it just before storage rather than immediately after use, the air-drying step is still necessary. The motor housing and any textured areas hold moisture longer than smooth flat surfaces, so pay particular attention to those.
Avoid using paper towels or fibrous cloths that leave particles behind on the toy surface. A clean microfibre cloth or a dedicated toy cloth is ideal.
Store each toy separately. Silicone can chemically react with other silicone surfaces when they are in prolonged contact - the materials can bond slightly or degrade at the contact point. Keeping toys in individual fabric pouches or separate small bags solves this. The original box is also a perfectly good storage solution if you kept it.
Choose a storage location away from heat, direct sunlight, and UV exposure. High temperatures accelerate material degradation, and UV light can affect surface properties over time. A drawer, bedside table, or a dedicated box inside a wardrobe all work well. Avoid storing toys on windowsills or in bathrooms where humidity stays elevated.
Dust accumulates on toy surfaces during storage and needs to be rinsed off before use, even if the toy was stored clean. A quick rinse under warm water before you use it removes any dust particles and brings the surface to body temperature. This step takes 30 seconds and removes the need to wash thoroughly both before and after every session.
Silicone and ABS plastic are durable materials that last years with proper care. But they do not last forever, and recognising when a toy has reached the end of its useful life is as important as knowing how to clean it properly.
Replace a toy when you see cracks or splits in the surface. Even a hairline crack in silicone creates a porous zone that cannot be cleaned out. Discolouration that does not wash off - especially yellowing or darkening of originally pale silicone - is a sign of material breakdown. A change in surface texture from smooth to tacky, or from soft to rigid in areas that were once pliable, indicates degradation. A persistent chemical smell that remains after washing is another clear indicator.
Cleaning with the wrong products - particularly alcohol, bleach, or harsh solvents - can accelerate all of these changes. This is another reason to stick to mild soap, even when you want the toy to feel maximally clean. The gentlest effective approach preserves the toy longest.
If you are uncertain whether a surface change is cosmetic or structural, err on the side of replacement. A degraded surface is effectively porous regardless of what material it started as, which means it carries the same hygiene risks as a cheap porous toy.