The right cleaning frequency depends on the situation. Routine wash after every use is non-negotiable; deeper sterilisation is situation-driven.
Three tiers of cleaning
Tier 1: After every use (essential)
- Time required: 90 seconds.
- Warm water rinse to remove visible residue.
- Apply fragrance-free antibacterial soap; cover all surfaces; 30 seconds.
- Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear.
- Pat dry on clean cloth.
- Air-dry 10 minutes before storage.
Tier 2: Sterilisation (situational)
When to sterilise:
- Between sexual partners.
- Between anal and vaginal use (or skip via condom-and-change method).
- After STI testing concerns.
- Routine deep clean every 4-6 weeks for regularly-used toys.
- Before long-term storage (over 1 month unused).
Methods (see can you sterilise a sex toy):
- Boiling: 3 minutes (motor-free silicone, glass, steel only).
- Top-rack dishwasher: normal cycle, no detergent, no heated drying.
- 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe: for motorised silicone toys (don't submerge).
Tier 3: Inspection (quarterly)
Every few months, inspect each toy for:
- Surface stickiness or texture changes (silicone, silicone-lube exposure).
- Plasticiser sweating (TPE, end of life).
- Discolouration or persistent smell.
- Battery health (rechargeable toys).
What about toys used solo, by one person, in one orifice?
Single-user, single-orifice toys have lower sterilisation needs. Routine wash after every use is sufficient; periodic deep clean (monthly) catches what soap-and-water misses.
Even single-user toys benefit from quarterly sterilisation, bacterial accumulation on porous materials happens regardless of user count.
What NOT to clean with
- Bleach, degrades silicone surface; harsh on body tissue if any residue remains.
- Alcohol over 70%, evaporates too fast to disinfect properly.
- Acetone, solvents, destroys most materials.
- Strong detergents, residue causes irritation.
- Scented or "moisturising" soaps, residue lingers; can cause irritation.
- Hot water above 60°C, damages some surface finishes.
Storage matters as much as cleaning
A clean toy stored in a moist or contaminated environment will need more cleaning anyway. See how do you store sex toys discreetly.