Quick answer: Clean your toys before and after every use with warm water and a mild soap (or a specialised toy cleaner). Store them individually in breathable pouches or bags, not loose in a drawer where they can collect dust, lint, and bacteria. Only buy toys made from body-safe, non-porous materials like medical-grade silicone, stainless steel, or borosilicate glass. And replace any toy that's cracked, discoloured, sticky, or smells off, no matter how attached you are to it. That's the short version. The longer version is below, and it's worth reading.
You spent good money on that toy. You picked it out, charged it up, maybe even gave it a name (no judgement). But when was the last time you actually thought about looking after it? Most people don't. They toss it in a bedside drawer, wipe it with whatever's nearby, and hope for the best. That approach works fine until it doesn't, and when it doesn't, you're dealing with irritation, funky smells, or a toy that gives up halfway through.
This is the complete guide to keeping your toys clean, safe, and lasting as long as they should. We've broken it into sections you can read straight through or jump between. Each one links to a deeper guide if you want the full detail.
Why any of this matters
Sex toys go on and inside your body. That's a sentence that probably doesn't need more explanation, but here it is anyway: anything that touches mucous membranes (genitals, anus, mouth) needs to be clean and made from materials that won't leach chemicals, harbour bacteria, or break down in ways that cause irritation or infection.
The sex toy industry is still pretty lightly regulated in most countries, including Australia. There's no single government body approving every vibrator that hits the shelf. That means quality varies wildly, and the responsibility lands on you to know what you're buying, how to look after it, and when it's past its prime.
The good news is that it's not complicated. A few habits and a bit of knowledge go a long way.
The five things that actually matter
If you remember nothing else from this page, remember these five things. They cover about 90% of sex toy safety.
1. Clean before and after every single use
Warm water and a mild, unscented soap. That's it for most toys. Wash before you use it (because dust and lint from storage are real) and after you use it (because, obviously). For a full walkthrough of cleaning methods by material type, including which toys can be boiled, which can't, and what "antibacterial toy cleaner" actually means, read our complete cleaning guide.
2. Know what your toy is made of
Not all materials are created equal. Medical-grade silicone, stainless steel, borosilicate glass, and ABS plastic are non-porous and body-safe. Materials like TPE, TPR, jelly rubber, and PVC are porous, meaning bacteria can get into the surface and stay there, no matter how thoroughly you clean. Our body-safe materials guide breaks down exactly what each material is, how to identify it, and what to look for on the packaging.
3. Store them properly
Tossing all your toys into the same drawer is a recipe for surface damage, dust buildup, and, if you've got silicone toys touching each other, material degradation. Each toy should have its own pouch, bag, or case. Keep them in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Our storage guide covers the full setup.
4. Replace when it's time
Toys don't last forever. If the surface feels tacky or sticky, if there are visible cracks, if the odour won't wash off, or if the motor sounds like it's on its last legs, it's time. Holding onto a damaged toy because it cost $80 isn't worth a bacterial infection. We wrote a full guide on when to replace your sex toy with specific timelines and warning signs.
5. Use the right lube
Lube matters more than most people think, especially when it comes to toy compatibility. Silicone-based lube can degrade silicone toys over time, which is why water-based is the default recommendation for most toy play. Oil-based lubes can damage certain materials too. If you're not sure, water-based and unscented is almost always the safe bet.
A material-by-material cheat sheet
This is the quick-reference version. For the deep dive, check the materials guide linked above.
Medical-grade silicone
The gold standard. Non-porous, hypoallergenic, can be sterilised in boiling water (if there's no motor). Virtually all reputable modern vibrators use this. It feels smooth, warms to body temperature quickly, and is genuinely easy to clean.
Stainless steel
Non-porous, heavy, and lasts basically forever. Can be sterilised. Conducts temperature, which some people specifically like (warm it up, cool it down, your call). Usually found in plugs and wands rather than vibrators.
Borosilicate glass
The same material as laboratory glassware. Non-porous, can be sterilised, and much tougher than it looks. Doesn't harbour bacteria. Works with any type of lube.
ABS plastic
A hard, non-porous plastic used for toy handles and some external vibrators. Body-safe and easy to clean. Not as luxurious-feeling as silicone but perfectly fine for non-insertable parts.
TPE / TPR / jelly / PVC
These are all porous. Bacteria, mould, and body fluids can get into the surface and stay there even after cleaning. Some also contain phthalates, which are chemicals you don't want inside your body. If you already own a toy made from one of these, use a condom over it. If you're buying new, skip them entirely.
Cleaning: the non-negotiable habit
We have an entire guide on this (how to clean your sex toys), but here are the basics that cover 90% of situations.
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Wash with warm water and mild, fragrance-free soap before and after every use.
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Non-motorised silicone, steel, and glass toys can be boiled for 3-5 minutes to fully sterilise.
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Motorised toys: wash the surface, don't submerge unless the manufacturer specifically says it's waterproof (and even then, check the IP rating).
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Dry completely before storing. A damp toy in a sealed bag is a mould factory.
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Specialised toy cleaners exist and they're fine, but they're not magic. Soap and water does the same job for most toys.
Storage: small effort, big difference
Full guide: how to store sex toys properly. The main rules: keep each toy in its own bag or pouch (many come with one). Don't let silicone toys touch each other, they can chemically react and degrade the surface. Avoid extreme heat, extreme cold, and direct sunlight. Remove batteries from toys you won't use for a while to avoid corrosion and leakage.
Travelling with toys
Taking a toy on holiday or a work trip? Our travel-ready pleasure guide covers everything from airport security (they've seen it all, it's fine) to discreet packing and keeping your toy clean when you don't have your full cleaning setup. The short version: put it in a pouch, pack it in checked luggage if you're anxious about it, and bring a small sachet of toy cleaner.
Sharing toys safely
If you're using a toy with a partner (or switching between body areas), clean it between uses. Every time. Or use a condom on the toy and swap to a fresh one each time. This applies to vaginal-to-anal, anal-to-vaginal (really important, bacterial transfers here cause infections fast), and any sharing between partners.
Non-porous toys (silicone, steel, glass) can be fully sterilised between partners. Porous toys can't, so if sharing is on the cards, stick to non-porous materials or use a barrier.
A note on cheap toys
Online marketplaces are full of cheap sex toys that look decent in photos and cost a fraction of the price. Some of them are fine. Many of them are made from unregulated materials that haven't been tested for body safety. The issue isn't just quality, it's that porous, chemically questionable materials are going inside your body.
Look for toys from brands that list their materials clearly, use medical-grade silicone or body-safe hard plastics, and have genuine reviews. VUSH lists the exact material composition on every product page, browse our full range and you'll see exactly what each toy is made of.
The guides in this series
We've written a standalone guide for each part of sex toy care. You can read them in any order. Each one works on its own.
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Cleaning your toys guide — how to clean every type of toy, by material and whether it has a motor.
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How to store sex toys — proper storage that prevents damage, bacteria buildup, and awkward bedside drawer situations.
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Travel-ready pleasure guide — packing, airport security, and keeping things clean on the go.
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Sex toy materials: what's body-safe — the full breakdown of every common material and which ones you actually want near your body.
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When to replace your sex toy — signs it's time to retire a toy, how long different types last, and what to do with old ones.
FAQs
How often should I clean my sex toys?
Before and after every use. It takes 30 seconds with soap and water. Make it as automatic as washing your hands.
Can I use hand sanitiser or rubbing alcohol to clean my toys?
Don't. Alcohol can degrade silicone and leave a residue that irritates sensitive tissue. Stick to mild soap and water, or a pH-balanced toy cleaner if you want something purpose-made.
Is it safe to share sex toys with a partner?
Yes, as long as you clean between uses or use a condom on the toy. Non-porous materials (silicone, steel, glass) are best for sharing because they can be fully sterilised.
Does the type of lube I use actually matter?
Yes. Silicone lube degrades silicone toys over time. Oil-based lubes can damage certain materials. Water-based lube is compatible with all toy materials and is the safest default.
My toy has a weird odour even after washing. Is it safe to use?
If a toy smells off after a proper wash, it's likely made of porous material that's absorbed bacteria or body fluids. You can try cleaning it more thoroughly, but if the odour persists, it's time to replace the toy. Your body will thank you.
How do I know if a toy is body-safe just from the packaging?
Look for specific material names: "medical-grade silicone", "stainless steel", "borosilicate glass", or "ABS plastic". If the packaging just says "silicone blend" or doesn't list materials at all, that's a red flag. Reputable brands are specific because they have nothing to hide.
Sources
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Wendling, A. et al. (2019). Bacterial contamination of personal lubricants and sex toys. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 95(Suppl 1), A174-A175.
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FDA (2020). Guidance on sex-adjacent devices and material biocompatibility. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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Danielle Soft (2021). Phthalates in sex toys: exposure routes and health implications. Environmental Health Perspectives, 129(3).
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Sexual Health Victoria — sexual health support in Australia.
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