How to Clean and Store Your Toys Properly
Cleaning is where most toys are damaged and most irritation starts — either from residue left behind or from a cleaning method the material could not take.
The rules differ by material and by whether there is a motor inside. Here is the short version for each.
Every time, whatever the toy
Wash before and after every use with warm water and either a dedicated toy cleaner or a mild, unscented soap. Rinse until there is no slip left on the surface — residue is a common cause of next-day irritation that gets blamed on the toy itself.
Then dry it completely with a lint-free cloth or air-dry before storing. Moisture in storage is what grows mould in seams and around charging ports.
What you can and cannot sterilise
This is where material and electronics matter.
- Solid silicone, glass or steel with no motor: boil 3-5 minutes, or run through a dishwasher on the top rack with no detergent. Fully sterilised.
- Anything with a motor, battery or charging port: warm water and toy cleaner only. Never submerge unless it is rated IPX7, and never boil.
- Porous materials (TPE, TPR, jelly, rubber): wash and dry thoroughly, but accept they cannot be sterilised. Never share them, and replace them regularly.
- Leather and fabric restraints: wipe with a damp cloth, never soak, and let them dry away from direct heat.
What not to use
These cause more problems than the dirt they remove.
- Alcohol or hand sanitiser — dries and cracks silicone, and irritates tissue on next use.
- Bleach or household disinfectant — degrades material and leaves residue you cannot fully rinse.
- Heavily fragranced or antibacterial soap — a leading cause of irritation and pH disruption.
- Abrasive sponges — they scratch, and scratches give bacteria somewhere to sit.
- Boiling water on anything with electronics — it destroys seals.
Storage that does not ruin things
Store each toy in its own pouch or a clean cotton bag, in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight. Most quality toys ship with a bag; use it.
Silicone against silicone is the mistake nobody expects: prolonged contact between two silicone surfaces can cause both to degrade and go tacky. Keep them separated. Remove batteries from battery-operated toys during storage to prevent corrosion, and store rechargeables at roughly half charge if they will sit unused for months.
When to replace a toy
Stop using and replace if you see any of these.
- Cracks, splits, tears or nicks in the surface.
- Stickiness or a tacky film that returns after washing — the material is breaking down.
- Discolouration or a smell that survives cleaning.
- A chip or crack in glass, or a burr on metal.
- A motor that stutters, or a charging port that no longer seals.
- Any porous toy older than about 12 months of regular use.
Common questions
- Can I boil a sex toy to sterilise it?
- Only if it is solid silicone, glass or stainless steel with no motor, battery or charging port — 3 to 5 minutes is enough. Anything electronic must be washed with warm water and toy cleaner instead.
- What soap can I use on a sex toy?
- A dedicated toy cleaner or a mild, unscented soap. Avoid antibacterial, heavily fragranced or exfoliating soaps, and never use alcohol, sanitiser or bleach — they degrade silicone and irritate tissue.
- Why do my silicone toys feel sticky?
- Usually two silicone surfaces stored in contact with each other, or silicone-based lubricant used on a silicone toy. Both break down the surface. Store toys separately in their own pouches and use water-based lube.
- How often should I replace my toys?
- Non-porous silicone, glass and steel toys last for years with proper care — replace them when you see cracks, stickiness or motor failure. Porous materials such as TPE should be replaced every 6 to 12 months.
Where to go next
More guides
- Where to Buy Sex Toys in South Africa (Safely and Discreetly)What to check before you pay a South African store: real ZAR pricing, body-safe materials, local support, discreet packaging and your rights under the CPA.
- A Beginner's Guide to VibratorsA no-pressure walkthrough of your first purchase: what to buy, how to use it, and what nobody tells you.
- How to Choose a Vibrator in South AfricaBullet, wand, rabbit or clitoral? What each type actually does, how much to spend in rand, and which features are worth paying for.