How Often Do You Actually Need to Wash Your Sex Toys?

Why Cleaning Sex Toys Isn’t Optional

Sex toys are great for exploration, orgasm, and self-knowledge, but they’re also intimate tools that come into contact with your body’s most sensitive areas. That means they carry risks if not cleaned properly. When left unwashed, sex toys can:

• Harbor bacteria like E. coli, staph, or even STIs like HPV and gonorrhea
• Cause yeast infections or UTIs from cross-contamination
• Degrade faster (especially silicone and jelly materials)
• Transfer infections between partners when shared

A 2023 study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that over 60% of reusable sex toys tested still had bacterial residue, even after being rinsed. That’s not just gross, it’s potentially dangerous.

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What Happens If You Don’t?

Let’s get real. Here’s what skipping toy cleaning can lead to:

• Bacterial vaginosis (BV): from leftover bacteria disrupting vaginal flora
• UTIs: especially if toys are inserted near the urethra
• Yeast infections: caused by fungal buildup on porous toys
• STI transmission: including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes when toys are shared

In one clinical report, a woman developed recurring BV and finally traced it back to a toy she had been rinsing but not disinfecting. “It smelled fine,” she said. “I thought that was enough.” It wasn’t.

“Would You Lick It?”, The Golden Rule of Toy Hygiene

Here’s a sex-positive life hack you’ll never forget: before using a toy, ask yourself one thing. Would I lick this right now? If the answer is “hell no,” guess what? Your vagina, rectum, or any other sensitive body part probably agrees. Think of this as the “lick test”:

• Dusty? Wash it.
• Crusty? Seriously, wash it.
• Sticky or weird-smelling? Girl, wash it twice.

Sex toys are tools of joy, exploration, and connection, but they’re also surfaces. And just like you wouldn’t drink from an old coffee mug without rinsing it, you shouldn’t trust a toy that hasn’t seen soap since last season. Make the lick test your ritual. It's funny, it's effective, and let’s be honest, it’s a way better internal monologue than “wait… when did I last clean this?” Pleasure is powerful. But pleasure with protection? That’s elite.

How Long Can Bacteria Live on Sex Toys?

Longer than you think. Depending on the material and the environment, bacteria can survive:

• Up to 24 hours on silicone or metal surfaces
• Several days on porous materials like rubber, jelly, or cyberskin
• Indefinitely inside internal crevices or motor housings if never cleaned

Some STIs, like HPV and herpes, have even been detected on toys hours after use. That’s why cleaning isn’t just about being tidy, it’s about being safe.

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Different Materials = Different Rules

Not all sex toys are created equal, and neither are the ways you should clean them. The type of material your toy is made of determines how bacteria behaves, how to clean it, and what could go wrong. Here’s a breakdown of common sex toy materials:

• Silicone: Non-porous, body-safe, and easy to disinfect. Can be boiled (if no motor) or cleaned with soap and water.
• Glass: Also non-porous and dishwasher-safe. Just don’t drop it.
• Metal: Sleek, durable, and can be boiled or sanitized with alcohol.
• ABS plastic: Non-porous but not boil-safe. Use mild soap and water or a toy cleaner.
• Jelly/rubber/cyberskin: Porous and riskier. These should always be used with condoms and cleaned thoroughly, but even then, bacteria can linger.

When in doubt, check the label or manufacturer's site. Or, play it safe: go non-porous.

How to Clean Your Sex Toys (Without Ruining Them)

Cleaning your toys doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does need to be consistent. Here’s how to do it right:

• Step 1: Wash with warm water and fragrance-free soap
• Step 2: Use a soft cloth or your hands, no scrubbing pads
• Step 3: Rinse thoroughly, paying attention to grooves or seams
• Step 4: Pat dry with a clean towel or let air dry completely

For deep disinfection:

• Boil (if applicable): 3–5 minutes for silicone, glass, or metal toys without motors
• 70% Isopropyl alcohol wipe: Works for hard plastics and non-porous toys
• UV light sterilizers: Great if you use toys frequently, especially with partners

Do You Really Need a Toy Cleaner?

Commercial toy cleaners can be helpful, but they’re not strictly necessary. Most contain mild surfactants or antimicrobial agents, but plain soap and water does the job just fine, as long as you rinse thoroughly. Skip anything with:

• Perfumes or dyes
• Alcohol on porous toys
• Bleach or harsh disinfectants (they can damage your skin and your toy)

Myth Busting: What Cleaning Doesn’t Do

Let’s clear up a few common misconceptions:

Myth: “If I only use it on myself, I don’t need to clean it every time.”

Truth: Your own bacteria can cause infections if it sits, multiplies, or is reintroduced during your next session.

Myth: “Rinsing with water is enough.”

Truth: Water alone doesn’t remove bacteria or lubricants, soap is essential.

Myth: “Dishwashers work for all toys.”

Truth: Only certain toys can handle the heat. Most vibrators and porous materials will break down.

The point isn’t perfection, it’s intention. Knowing what you're working with and how to care for it can protect your health, your wallet, and your sex life.

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Sharing Sex Toys Safely: What You Need to Know

If you’re using sex toys with a partner, or between partners, it’s not just about hygiene. It’s about preventing cross-contamination and respecting each other’s sexual health. Here’s how to play it safe when sharing:

• Use condoms on toys, especially for anal or vaginal penetration
• Wash toys between users, even if it’s the same session
• Use separate toys for anal and vaginal play
• Clean toys before and after group play

STIs like HPV, herpes, and trichomoniasis can survive on toy surfaces and be passed from one person to another. Don’t assume your partner “looks clean” or that the toy “was fine last time.” Clean. Every. Time.

Real Story: “I Got a UTI From My Favorite Toy, Here’s Why”

Jess, 29, swore by her go-to silicone vibrator. It was her end-of-day ritual. But after a few weeks of increasingly painful peeing and vaginal irritation, she saw her doctor.

“I didn’t think it was the toy. I was the only one using it. But I’d been skipping the cleaning step because I didn’t want to wait for it to dry.”

A UTI and yeast infection later, she was told bacterial buildup had likely played a role.

“Now I clean it every time, soap, rinse, and all. And I haven’t had an issue since.”

Moral of the story? Even solo toys need full hygiene respect.

How to Store Toys (Because Dry Doesn’t Mean Clean)

Storing your toys properly is just as important as cleaning them. Leaving them in the bathroom, under your pillow, or tossed in a drawer can expose them to dust, lint, bacteria, or worse. Best practices for storage:

• Use a clean, breathable bag (cotton or microfiber)
• Store each toy separately to prevent material degradation
• Avoid damp or humid areas, no, your steamy bathroom drawer doesn’t count

Bonus tip: Some toys come with pouches. Use them! And if yours didn’t, you can buy toy-specific storage bags online or use a clean makeup bag in a pinch.

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Make It a Habit: Post-Play Clean-Up Tips

Think of cleaning your toy like brushing your teeth, it’s just part of the routine. Here’s how to make it simple and automatic:

• Keep mild soap and a small towel near where you store your toys
• Designate a quick-dry dish rack for air-drying
• Set a “post-play” reminder on your phone if needed
• Make cleanup part of aftercare, it’s intimate, respectful, and sexy-responsible

And if you’re someone who forgets in the heat of the moment? Pre-wash your toy before use, just in case. No shame, just smarter play.

Your Orgasm Deserves Clean Tools, Every Time

If you wouldn’t eat off a dirty fork, don’t put a dirty toy in your body. Whether it’s a solo session or shared play, cleaning your sex toys isn’t extra, it's essential.

The risks aren’t hypothetical: UTIs, BV, yeast infections, and even STI transmission all have one thing in common, unwashed toys. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be proactive.

Here’s your clean-play checklist

• Wash after every use: Mild soap and water is your best friend. No shortcuts.
• Store them smart: Dry, separate, and lint-free is the goal.
• Get tested: If you’ve shared toys or skipped cleaning, use a Combo STD Home Test Kit to screen for the most common infections, discreetly and easily.

Sex toys should enhance your pleasure, not complicate your health. Clean them. Respect them. And respect your body enough to check in when something feels off.

FAQs

1. Do I really need to clean my sex toys every time?

Yes. Even if you’re using them solo, bacteria can build up and cause infections over time.

2. Can sex toys give you STDs?

Yes, especially when shared between partners without cleaning. STIs like herpes, HPV, and chlamydia can survive on toy surfaces.

3. Is rinsing with water enough?

No. You need mild soap or a toy-safe cleaner to remove bacteria, lube, and bodily fluids.

4. Are all toys dishwasher-safe?

No. Only non-motorized glass or silicone toys without electrical parts may be dishwasher-safe. Always check manufacturer guidelines.

5. Can I use alcohol or bleach to disinfect?

Use 70% isopropyl alcohol on non-porous toys only. Avoid bleach, it can damage materials and irritate skin.

6. Should I use condoms on sex toys?

Yes, especially for shared use or switching between vaginal and anal play. It also helps protect porous toys from degradation.

7. How should I store my clean toys?

In a dry, dust-free bag or container. Avoid storing multiple toys together without barriers, they can break down or cross-contaminate.

8. Do I need to clean new toys before using?

Yes. Manufacturing residues, dust, or packaging debris can be present, even if the toy looks clean.

9. What if I forgot to clean it last time?

Wash it thoroughly before using again. If it’s been exposed to fluids or heat, inspect for discoloration or damage first.

10. Is there a one-size-fits-all cleaner?

Mild, unscented antibacterial soap is generally safe for most toys. Avoid anything with perfumes, dyes, or harsh chemicals.

Sources

1. How to Correctly Clean and Store Your Sex Toys, According to Experts (Healthline)

2. Everything You Need to Know About Sex Toys and STIs (Healthline)

3. Sex Toy Safety – Cleaning, Sharing & Material Tips (LGBTQIA Midwest)

4. How To Clean & Care For Every Type Of Sex Toy, From Experts (MindBodyGreen)