How to Clean & Store Your Sex Toys the Right Way
The short answer: Clean sex toys after every use with warm water and mild unscented soap. Non-porous materials like medical-grade silicone can be made fully hygienic. Always air dry completely before storing in a breathable pouch.
Why Proper Cleaning Actually Matters
Sex toy hygiene is one of those topics that gets glossed over in most purchasing guides — a brief mention of "clean after use" without any detail about what that actually means or why it matters.
It matters because the genital area is home to a delicate microbiome — a community of bacteria and other microorganisms that maintain vaginal pH, prevent infection, and support tissue health. Introducing bacteria from an improperly cleaned toy can disrupt this microbiome, leading to bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, or other infections.
It also matters because toy materials vary significantly in their porosity and cleanability. A porous toy that isn't properly cleaned harbors bacteria in microscopic surface channels that can't be reached by rinsing alone. A non-porous toy that is properly cleaned is genuinely hygienic. The difference between these two outcomes is cleaning method and material knowledge. For more on choosing the right materials, see our guide on different stimulator types and what they're made of.
Here's everything you need to know.
Understanding Toy Materials and Porosity
The most important factor in sex toy hygiene is whether the material is porous or non-porous.
Non-porous materials — medical-grade silicone, borosilicate glass, stainless steel, and ABS plastic — have surfaces that bacteria cannot penetrate. They can be thoroughly cleaned and, in some cases, sterilized. These are the only materials that can be made genuinely hygienic.
Porous materials — jelly rubber, PVC, "cyberskin," and similar materials — have microscopic channels in their surface that harbor bacteria even after cleaning. These toys cannot be made fully hygienic regardless of how carefully you clean them. If you own porous toys, using a condom over them reduces (but doesn't eliminate) the hygiene risk.
The Petal Soft Rose Wellness Stimulator is made from medical-grade liquid silicone — non-porous, hypoallergenic, and fully cleanable. This is one of the primary reasons material quality matters when choosing a toy.
Cleaning Methods by Material
Medical-Grade Silicone (Non-Motorized)
Non-motorized silicone toys can be sterilized using several methods: boiling in water for 3–5 minutes, running through the dishwasher on the top rack without detergent, or wiping with a 10% bleach solution followed by thorough rinsing.
For routine cleaning between uses, warm water and mild unscented soap is sufficient. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue, as soap left on the toy can cause irritation.
Medical-Grade Silicone (Motorized, like the Petal Soft)
Motorized silicone toys cannot be boiled or put in the dishwasher — the heat and water immersion would damage the motor and electronics. For waterproof toys like the Petal Soft (IPX7 rated), cleaning is straightforward:
- Rinse the toy under warm running water
- Apply a small amount of toy-safe cleaner or mild unscented soap to the surface
- Gently clean all surfaces, including the inside of the air pulse opening
- Rinse thoroughly under warm water until all soap is removed
- Allow to air dry completely before storing
For non-waterproof motorized toys, use a damp cloth with toy cleaner rather than running water, being careful to avoid the charging port and any seams where water could enter. Always use the right lubricant with your silicone toy to avoid surface degradation that makes cleaning harder.
Borosilicate Glass and Stainless Steel
Glass and steel toys are the easiest to clean and sterilize. They can be boiled, run through the dishwasher, wiped with bleach solution, or cleaned with soap and water. They're non-porous, non-reactive, and essentially indestructible with normal use.
Check glass toys for chips or cracks before each use — a damaged glass toy should be discarded, as sharp edges can cause injury.
ABS Plastic
ABS plastic is non-porous and can be cleaned with soap and water or toy cleaner. It cannot be boiled or bleached without potential damage to the surface. For motorized ABS toys, follow the same approach as motorized silicone — damp cloth if not waterproof, rinse if waterproof.
Porous Materials (Jelly, Rubber, Cyberskin)
As noted above, porous toys cannot be made fully hygienic. Clean with warm water and mild soap, rinse thoroughly, and allow to dry completely. Use a condom over the toy to reduce bacterial transfer. Consider replacing porous toys with non-porous alternatives when possible.
Toy-Safe Cleaners: What to Look For
Dedicated sex toy cleaners are formulated to be effective against bacteria while being gentle on toy materials and safe for contact with sensitive skin. Look for cleaners that are fragrance-free, alcohol-free (alcohol can degrade some toy materials over time), and specifically labeled as toy-safe.
Mild unscented soap — like castile soap or a gentle hand soap without added fragrances or antibacterial agents — is a perfectly adequate alternative for most cleaning situations. Avoid antibacterial soaps, which can leave residues that disrupt the vaginal microbiome.
Never use harsh household cleaners, bleach (except for sterilizing non-motorized non-porous toys, followed by thorough rinsing), or alcohol-based products on silicone toys.
Drying: The Step Most People Rush
Thorough drying is as important as thorough cleaning. Moisture trapped in storage creates conditions for bacterial and mold growth, even on non-porous surfaces.
After cleaning, allow toys to air dry completely — ideally for several hours — before storing. Don't use a cloth to dry the inside of the air pulse opening on a rose toy; allow it to air dry naturally. If you're in a hurry, a clean paper towel can be used to pat the exterior dry, but allow additional air drying time before storage.
Storage: Protecting Your Toys Between Uses
Keep toys separate
Different toy materials can react with each other when stored in contact. Silicone toys stored touching other silicone toys, or touching certain plastics, can develop surface tackiness over time. Store each toy separately, or use individual pouches.
Use breathable storage
Airtight storage traps any residual moisture and can promote bacterial growth. Use breathable fabric pouches (many toys come with these), cotton bags, or dedicated toy storage boxes with ventilation. Avoid storing toys in plastic bags long-term.
Avoid extreme temperatures
Don't store toys in direct sunlight, in hot cars, or in very cold environments. Extreme temperatures can degrade silicone and other materials over time. Room temperature storage in a drawer or box is ideal.
Keep away from dust and lint
The textured surface of silicone toys attracts lint and dust. Storing in a pouch or box prevents this and means less cleaning required before use.
How Often to Clean
After every use: Always. No exceptions. Even if the toy only had external contact, cleaning after every use is non-negotiable for hygiene.
Before first use: Always clean a new toy before using it for the first time, regardless of packaging. Manufacturing and shipping processes are not sterile.
Before use after storage: If a toy has been stored for more than a few weeks, a quick rinse before use is good practice even if it was cleaned before storage.
Caring for the Petal Soft Specifically
The Petal Soft's IPX7 waterproofing makes cleaning straightforward — it can be rinsed under running water without any concern about water damage. The magnetic charging port is sealed, so there are no vulnerable openings to protect during cleaning.
Pay particular attention to the inside of the air pulse opening, where body fluids can accumulate. A gentle rinse with warm water directed into the opening, followed by air drying with the opening facing down, ensures thorough cleaning of this area.
Store the Petal Soft in the pouch it came with, or in a dedicated fabric bag, away from other toys and out of direct sunlight. Charge it fully before extended storage to maintain battery health.
The Bottom Line
Cleaning your sex toys correctly is a health practice, not an optional extra. Non-porous materials like medical-grade silicone can be made genuinely hygienic with proper cleaning. Warm water, mild soap, thorough rinsing, complete drying, and breathable storage — that's the complete routine.
Your toys will last longer, perform better, and be genuinely safe to use. That's worth the two minutes it takes.
The Petal Soft Rose Wellness Stimulator's medical-grade silicone and IPX7 waterproofing make it one of the easiest toys to clean and maintain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean a silicone sex toy?
For waterproof motorized silicone toys, rinse under warm running water, apply mild unscented soap, gently clean all surfaces including any openings, rinse thoroughly, and air dry completely before storing. Non-motorized silicone toys can also be boiled for 3–5 minutes or run through the dishwasher without detergent for full sterilization.
Can you put sex toys in the dishwasher?
Only non-motorized, non-porous toys made of silicone, glass, or stainless steel. Place on the top rack without detergent. Never put motorized toys in the dishwasher — the heat and water will damage the electronics. When in doubt, hand wash with soap and water.
How do you dry a rose toy after cleaning?
After rinsing, pat the exterior dry with a clean paper towel, then place with the opening facing downward to allow water to drain out. Allow to air dry completely — at least a few hours — before storing. Do not use a cloth inside the opening.
What soap is safe to use on sex toys?
Mild, unscented soap without antibacterial agents — such as castile soap or a gentle fragrance-free hand soap. Avoid antibacterial soaps, heavily fragranced soaps, and harsh household cleaners. Dedicated toy-safe cleaners are also a good option.
How should you store sex toys?
Store each toy separately in a breathable fabric pouch or cotton bag. Avoid airtight plastic bags, which trap moisture. Keep away from direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, and contact with other toy materials. Make sure toys are completely dry before storing.
