Do I really need to sterilise between partners?

Yes if the toy is non-porous (silicone, glass, steel, hardwood, ceramic) and possible: boil for 3 minutes or run through a UV-C sanitiser. For porous materials (TPE, jelly, realistic skin) sterilisation is not possible; cover the toy with a fresh condom before each partner or replace it with a non-porous alternative.

Can I put silicone in the dishwasher?

Most modern dishwashers reach temperatures that warp some silicone designs (particularly thinner or hollow ones). Boiling for 3 minutes is the safer route for silicone, and dishwashers should be reserved for borosilicate glass (top rack) and stainless steel (any rack).

Is boiling actually safe for sex toys?

For solid platinum-cure silicone, borosilicate glass, stainless or surgical steel, and properly-sealed hardwood, yes. WHO/UNFPA specifies boil sterilisation as effective against bacteria, fungi and most viruses at 100 degrees Celsius for 3 minutes. Never boil any toy with electronics, batteries, or charging contacts.

What is a UV-C sanitiser and do I need one?

A UV-C sanitiser is a small box that uses ultraviolet light to kill microorganisms on the surface of an object. Useful for vibrators with non-removable motors (which cannot be boiled), ABS plastic toys, and items with hard-to-clean ridges. UK retail prices £40-120. Not essential if you stick to boilable materials.

How long does a clean toy stay clean in storage?

A non-porous toy washed, fully dried and stored individually in a clean breathable bag stays sanitary for months. The risks are humidity (encourages mould on any residue), contact with another toy of a different material (silicone reacts with TPE), and dust attraction. Store each toy individually and re-wash before each use after long storage.

What about anal-to-vaginal switching in one session?

Do not. Bacteria from the rectum (notably E. coli) cause severe vaginal and urinary tract infections. If you want to switch openings in one session, either use a fresh condom on the toy or use a separate toy entirely. The "rinse with soap" shortcut is not sufficient.

Free Tool

Cleaning calculator.

Wrong cleaning ruins a £100 toy or, worse, leaves bacteria on a £20 one. Pick your toy material + scenario; get the step-by-step protocol with time, products and what to avoid.

1. Material 2. Scenario

Protocol

Estimated time:

Steps

You'll need

Avoid

Pick both a material and a scenario to see the cleaning protocol.

Common scenarios

Silicone toy, routine clean → Silicone toy, sterilise before sharing → Glass toy, anal-to-vaginal switch → TPE toy, between partners → Latex clothing, after wear → Leather restraints, before storage →

The full cleaning matrix

Every material and every scenario, mapped to the recommended cleaning method.

Material	Routine (after solo use)	Sterilise (before sharing with a new partner)	Anal-to-vaginal / oral switch in one session	Before long-term storage	First use out of the box
Platinum-cure silicone	Soap + warm water	Boil for 3 minutes	Boil for 3 minutes	Soap + warm water	Soap + warm water
Borosilicate glass	Soap + warm water	Boil for 3 minutes	Boil for 3 minutes	Soap + warm water	Soap + warm water
Stainless / surgical steel	Soap + warm water	Boil for 3 minutes	Boil for 3 minutes	Soap + warm water	Soap + warm water
ABS plastic (hard plastic)	Soap + warm water	UV-C sanitiser	UV-C sanitiser	Soap + warm water	Soap + warm water
Sealed hardwood	Soap + warm water	Toy cleaner spray	Toy cleaner spray	Soap + warm water	Soap + warm water
Glazed ceramic	Soap + warm water	Boil for 3 minutes	Boil for 3 minutes	Soap + warm water	Soap + warm water
TPE / TPR / jelly (porous)	Soap + warm water	Replace the toy	Replace the toy	Soap + warm water	Soap + warm water
Vibrator with non-removable motor	Toy cleaner spray	UV-C sanitiser	UV-C sanitiser	Toy cleaner spray	Toy cleaner spray
Latex clothing	Soap wash, talc + shine	Soap wash, talc + shine	Soap wash, talc + shine	Soap wash, talc + shine	Soap wash, talc + shine
Leather (restraints, harnesses)	Damp cloth + leather conditioner	Damp cloth + leather conditioner	Damp cloth + leather conditioner	Damp cloth + leather conditioner	Damp cloth + leather conditioner

Tool

Material Picker

Not sure what your toy is made of? Quiz outputs body-safe materials with scorecards.

Shop

Essentials

Toy cleaners, sprays, microfibre cloths. Everything in this matrix in one place.

Tool

Lube Compatibility

Make sure tomorrow's lube does not ruin today's freshly-cleaned toy.

Frequently asked

Do I really need to sterilise between partners?: Yes if the toy is non-porous (silicone, glass, steel, hardwood, ceramic) and possible: boil for 3 minutes or run through a UV-C sanitiser. For porous materials (TPE, jelly, realistic skin) sterilisation is not possible; cover the toy with a fresh condom before each partner or replace it with a non-porous alternative.
Can I put silicone in the dishwasher?: Most modern dishwashers reach temperatures that warp some silicone designs (particularly thinner or hollow ones). Boiling for 3 minutes is the safer route for silicone, and dishwashers should be reserved for borosilicate glass (top rack) and stainless steel (any rack).
Is boiling actually safe for sex toys?: For solid platinum-cure silicone, borosilicate glass, stainless or surgical steel, and properly-sealed hardwood, yes. WHO/UNFPA specifies boil sterilisation as effective against bacteria, fungi and most viruses at 100 degrees Celsius for 3 minutes. Never boil any toy with electronics, batteries, or charging contacts.
What is a UV-C sanitiser and do I need one?: A UV-C sanitiser is a small box that uses ultraviolet light to kill microorganisms on the surface of an object. Useful for vibrators with non-removable motors (which cannot be boiled), ABS plastic toys, and items with hard-to-clean ridges. UK retail prices £40-120. Not essential if you stick to boilable materials.
How long does a clean toy stay clean in storage?: A non-porous toy washed, fully dried and stored individually in a clean breathable bag stays sanitary for months. The risks are humidity (encourages mould on any residue), contact with another toy of a different material (silicone reacts with TPE), and dust attraction. Store each toy individually and re-wash before each use after long storage.
What about anal-to-vaginal switching in one session?: Do not. Bacteria from the rectum (notably E. coli) cause severe vaginal and urinary tract infections. If you want to switch openings in one session, either use a fresh condom on the toy or use a separate toy entirely. The "rinse with soap" shortcut is not sufficient.

Sources: WHO/UNFPA (2013) Male Latex Condom Specification for boil sterilisation guidance; Public Health England adult-toy hygiene guidance for between-partner sterilisation requirements; manufacturer technical guidance from Lelo, We-Vibe, Fun Factory and Tantus for platinum-silicone care; Eden Fantasys and Bad Vibes material-testing programmes for porosity rankings.