Sex toy cleaner and storage basics by material — silicone, ABS plastic, and glass — plus what actually degrades toys over time, like silicone lube on silicone.
Cleaning and storage are the least exciting part of owning a toy and also the part most likely to get skipped entirely — which is how toys end up degrading early or, worse, becoming a hygiene issue. None of this is complicated once you know the material you're working with, since that's what actually determines the right approach.
Silicone
Medical-grade silicone is non-porous and one of the easiest materials to keep clean. Warm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap after every use is enough for most silicone toys; a dedicated sex toy cleaner is a fine alternative but not strictly necessary for external-only use. Toys with a motor shouldn't be submerged unless they're specifically rated waterproof rather than just water-resistant — check the product's own care instructions on this point specifically.
- Fully dry before storing — moisture left on silicone is where bacteria and mildew get a foothold, not the material itself.
- Silicone can be boiled briefly or run through a top-rack dishwasher cycle (no soap) for a deeper clean, but only for toys with no electronic components.
ABS plastic
ABS plastic — common in toy handles, remote-controlled toys, and rigid components — is also non-porous but less flexible than silicone and can crack under stress over time. Wipe down with a damp cloth and mild soap, or use a sex toy cleaner spray for anything with a textured surface. ABS components generally shouldn't be submerged if there's any electronics inside, even on toys marketed as waterproof for the silicone portion only.
- Avoid abrasive cleaning tools or anything that could scratch the surface — small scratches in ABS create places for bacteria to collect, the same porosity issue silicone doesn't have.
- Check seams around buttons and charging ports specifically, since that's where moisture tends to get trapped if a toy is wiped down too quickly.
Glass
Glass toys are non-porous, don't react with any lubricant type, and can generally be sterilized more thoroughly than any other material — including boiling water or a dishwasher cycle. The tradeoff is fragility rather than hygiene: the main care point is handling, not cleaning chemistry.
- Check for chips or cracks before each use — a compromised surface is the real risk with glass, more than any cleaning method.
- Store separately and padded so it doesn't knock against harder surfaces or other toys in a drawer.
What actually degrades toys over time
- Silicone lube on silicone toys: the most common avoidable damage — covered above, worth repeating because it's the single biggest mistake people make.
- Sunlight and heat: prolonged direct sun or storage near a heat source can degrade silicone and discolor ABS plastic over time.
- Storing toys touching each other: silicone can bond or transfer material when two silicone toys are pressed together in storage for a long time — separate bags or a divided case avoid this entirely. A light dusting of cornstarch-based toy powder on a silicone toy before storage also helps it stay smooth instead of tacky, especially in humid climates.
- Skipping drying before storage: the single biggest hygiene issue, more than the soap or cleaner used.
Can a toy reinfect you?
Yes, if it isn't cleaned between uses — a toy that touched an active infection can hold onto bacteria or yeast on its surface and reintroduce it later, which is exactly why the cleaning routine above matters even between uses with the same partner, not just between different partners. Porous materials hold onto this risk longer than non-porous ones (silicone, glass, and ABS plastic), which is part of why sticking to non-porous materials matters more than it might seem — see our guide to sex after a yeast infection or BV for what to actually wait for before resuming use.
Storage basics
A breathable, dedicated storage bag or pouch for each toy — many come with one, and inexpensive multi-pouch cases are widely available if not. Avoid airtight plastic bags for long-term storage, since trapped moisture is worse than open air. Keep the storage spot cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight, and away from pets if that's a household consideration.
Getting the care right matters more the more you spend on a toy — if you're still deciding what to buy in the first place, our beginner's guide to sex toys covers which materials are worth that investment.