Depending on the type of toy, these products are directly coming into contact with the skin of the vagina, penis, or anus—all sensitive-skin areas that are susceptible to infections—and many toys are actually inserted into the body, opening up the potential for introducing unwanted substances. Bacteria, dirt, sperm, and even the microscopic organisms responsible for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can all collect on the surface of a sex toy, says counselor and psychosexual health educator L.P. Watts, LCSW. So cleaning sex toys regularly is absolutely necessary. And once you know how to do it correctly, it’s actually pretty easy. While sex toys can be made from many different materials, they are usually broken into two categories: porous and nonporous. Porous materials contain microscopic holes and may be more prone to harboring bacteria than nonporous materials, which can lead to a dysbiosis in the vaginal microbiome. “The vagina is home for a myriad of bacteria and fungi to keep it healthy, but you throw that organism out of balance, and it leads to infections such as UTI,” board-certified OB/GYN Anna Cabeca, D.O., says. Porous materials are more prone to harboring bacteria, even after being cleaned and dried, so consider using a condom with these materials or opting for nonporous toys. Porous materials typically include fabric, leather, hard plastic, and rubber, including thermoplastic rubber (TPR), thermoplastic elastomer (TRE), and jelly rubber. Nonporous materials generally include silicone, metal, and glass and are typically easier to clean thoroughly. To find out what your sex toy is made of, go to the website of the sex toy company or look for the instruction booklet that came with your toy. Many products will also come with specific instructions on how to clean your toy. In general, follow the steps given by the company for that specific product. Otherwise, below is a catalog of all the most common materials used for sex toys and how to clean each of them. Both cyberskin and vinyl are porous. After they’re washed, both cyberskin and vinyl may need a dusting of cornstarch. This keeps the material from becoming sticky or degrading quickly, Watts explains, but always check the instructions to verify this step. If a sex toy is being used in a commercial setting or by multiple people, it’s recommended it be deep-cleaned and disinfected before and after each use. To disinfect heatproof, waterproof, and nonmotorized materials, boil them in water. To disinfect any other materials, consider using a purpose-made sex toy disinfectant (more on that below). Notably, porous materials are inherently very hard to fully disinfect. “I’d probably recommend that people try not to use porous products internally if they’re being used by others, given the difficulty in sanitizing them,” functional medicine gynecologist Wendie Trubow, M.D., MBA, tells mbg. “External use should be fine of they’re cleaned.” A few recommended brands and websites for buying cleansers: Just be sure to warn your roommates if you have any. Always keep them in a safe, hygienic place—that could be as simple as the box that your toys came in. Glass or Pyrex storage containers, as well as silk or satin bags, also work well. Some companies also make UV storage chambers that help to disinfect the toys after they’ve been cleaned, Watts explains. “Cleaning products can be a fun sensual ritual when you know what you’re doing and a great way to extend the life of all of your favorite products,” White says.
