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Cleaning sex toys after every use is not optional. Bacteria, bodily fluids, and lubricant residue build up on the surface and can cause irritation or infection on the next use. This guide covers how to clean sex toys by material and by toy type, what products to use, and how to store everything safely.

The Raeven sex toy cleaner range covers all the basics, grab a bottle before you read on.

Why Cleaning Sex Toys Matters

Sex toy surfaces, even body-safe silicone, collect bacteria after use. Non-porous materials like silicone, stainless steel, and glass do not absorb bacteria, but they collect it on the surface. Porous materials like TPE and rubber absorb it deeper, making thorough cleaning even more important.

Skipping a clean does not just affect hygiene. Lubricant and body fluid residue degrade silicone over time, reducing the toy's lifespan. Dried residue inside a masturbator creates bacteria colonies that are harder to remove the longer they sit.

The rule is straightforward: clean before first use, and clean after every use. According to Brook, the UK sexual health charity, cleaning sex toys between uses and storing them separately significantly reduces risk of bacterial and skin irritation.

Cleaning by Material

The right cleaning method depends on the material. Here is a quick guide.

Body-safe silicone (non-motorised). You can boil silicone toys in water for 3 minutes to sterilise. Alternatively, run them through a dishwasher on the top rack without detergent. For everyday cleaning, warm water and a pH-neutral toy cleanser works well. Pat dry before storing.

Body-safe silicone with a motor or battery pack. Do not boil or submerge. Wipe down with a damp cloth and toy cleanser. If the toy is rated IPX7 waterproof, you can rinse under running water. If it is only splash-proof (IPX4), keep the charging port dry.

TPE and TPR (thermoplastic elastomers). These materials are porous. Bacteria soak in past the surface, so they cannot be fully sterilised. Wash with warm water and mild soap after every single use. Replace porous toys more frequently than silicone. Never share porous toys.

ABS hard plastic. Non-porous and easy to clean. Warm water and soap or toy cleanser. Do not submerge if there is a battery compartment, wipe the surface instead.

Stainless steel and glass. Both are non-porous and can be boiled, dishwashed, or cleaned with toy cleanser. These materials are the easiest to sterilise fully.

Cleaning by Toy Type

How to clean a male masturbator

Masturbators are the most demanding toy to clean because of the internal sleeve. Residue builds up inside the canal quickly.

1. Remove the inner sleeve if it is removable. Most tunnel-style masturbators have a sleeve you can pull out.
2. Rinse the sleeve under warm running water, squeezing it to flush the canal from both ends.
3. Apply toy cleanser inside and outside the sleeve. Work it through the canal with your fingers.
4. Rinse thoroughly. Squeeze to check no soap remains, residue can cause irritation.
5. Leave to air dry completely before inserting back into the casing. A damp sleeve stored in a closed case grows mould.

If the masturbator is non-removable, flush warm water through the opening, apply cleanser, flush again, and let it dry open-end down on a clean surface.

Browse the Raeven male masturbator collection for masturbators designed with easy-clean sleeves.

How to clean a cock ring

Silicone cock rings are straightforward. Rinse under warm water, apply toy cleanser, rinse again, and leave to air dry. The ring shape means there are no hard-to-reach areas. For vibrating cock rings with a motor unit, keep the charging port dry during cleaning.

Check the Raeven cock ring collection: all silicone rings are body-safe and easy to clean.

How to clean a prostate massager

Prostate massagers require particular care because of anal use. After removal, the surface has direct contact with the rectum.

1. Rinse under warm water immediately after use.
2. Apply toy cleanser to the full surface, including the neck and base.
3. Use a soft cloth or your fingers to clean the curved tip and any ridges.
4. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
5. Store in a sealed pouch, separate from other toys.

If you want to sterilise fully, a non-motorised silicone prostate toy can be boiled for 3 minutes. For motorised models, toy cleanser and a thorough rinse is sufficient.

How to clean a vibrator

The process depends on the waterproof rating. IPX7 toys can be rinsed fully under running water. For IPX4 or below, wipe the surface with a damp cloth and toy cleanser, keeping the charging port dry. Rinse your cloth between passes to avoid spreading residue.

Sex Toy Cleaner vs Soap

Both work. The difference is in what they leave behind.

Regular hand soap and household soap are often fragranced and contain chemicals designed for skin. Some of these, particularly fragrances and sodium lauryl sulphate, can irritate sensitive skin areas or degrade silicone over time with repeated use.

A purpose-made sex toy cleanser is pH-balanced, fragrance-free, and formulated to rinse away cleanly without leaving residue. It is also faster to apply to awkward shapes like sleeves and prostate massagers.

The Lovejoy Cleanse 100ml is pH-balanced and safe on silicone, TPE, ABS, glass, and steel. The Lovejoy Cleanse 250ml is better value for regular use. Both rinse clean without residue.

What to Do With Non-Waterproof Toys

Some older toys, travel vibrators, and battery-operated models are not waterproof. Do not run water over these directly.

Instead: dampen a clean cloth with warm water. Add a small amount of toy cleanser to the cloth, not the toy. Wipe down the full surface. Use a second damp cloth to remove the cleanser. Dry with a clean towel and leave to air fully before storing.

For toys with battery compartments, keep the compartment sealed during cleaning. Do not let water near the seal.

How to Store Sex Toys Safely

Storage matters as much as cleaning. A freshly cleaned toy stored incorrectly picks up dust and bacteria before the next use.

• Store each toy in its own pouch or bag. Silicone against silicone can cause surface degradation over time. Keep toys separated.
• Let toys dry fully before storing. A damp toy in a sealed bag grows mould. Leave toys open to air for at least 30 minutes after cleaning.
• Keep away from direct sunlight and heat. UV and heat degrade silicone and can warp plastic components.
• Store in a cool, dry drawer. A bedside drawer works well, accessible, dark, and dry.
• Check batteries before storing. Remove batteries from battery-operated toys for long-term storage. Leaking batteries damage toy internals.

For water-based lubricant storage alongside toys, check the Raeven lubricant range: all options are silicone-safe.

Common Questions About Cleaning Sex Toys

How often should I clean my sex toys?

Before first use, and after every single use. There is no exception to this. A toy used once without cleaning and then left for a week will have significant bacterial growth on the surface by the time you use it again.

Can I use alcohol wipes to clean sex toys?

No. Isopropyl alcohol degrades silicone surfaces over repeated use. It strips the surface integrity and can leave a residue that causes irritation. Use a purpose-made toy cleanser or mild, fragrance-free soap and water instead.

What soap is safe for sex toys?

A fragrance-free, mild hand soap is the safest option if you do not have toy cleanser. Avoid antibacterial soaps with triclosan, heavily fragranced products, and anything containing alcohol. A pH-balanced toy cleanser like Lovejoy Cleanse is the better choice for regular use.

Can I put silicone toys in the dishwasher?

Non-motorised solid silicone toys only. Place on the top rack, no detergent. The heat and water pressure sterilise the surface. Do not use this method for vibrators, masturbators with sleeves, or anything with a battery or charging port.

How do I get rid of the smell from a masturbator sleeve?

Flush the sleeve with warm water several times immediately after use. If smell has built up over multiple uses, soak the sleeve in a diluted toy cleanser solution for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Make sure the sleeve dries completely before storing, trapped moisture is the main cause of persistent odour in TPE sleeves.

Cleaning takes two to three minutes. It protects your health, keeps your toys in good condition, and gives you a better experience every time. Make it a routine and it stops feeling like a chore.

Keep the Raeven toy cleaner range next to wherever you store your toys. Both the 100ml and 250ml Lovejoy Cleanse bottles are pH-balanced, silicone-safe, and designed for male toy care. All orders arrive in plain, discreet packaging with free UK delivery over £40.

This is general wellness information, not medical advice. If you have a health concern, speak to your GP.