How To Clean Sex Toys

This is a comprehensive sex toy cleaning guide with a great deal of helpful information covering every facet of how to clean your sex toys. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns, as your health and well-being are essential.

With A Special Coupon For You!

See our special 15% off coupon at the end of this article to buy any of our nontoxic, body-safe sex toys!

Sex Toy Mischief

In a survey conducted with 1,000 adults, only 70% of women and 57% of men said they clean their sex toys. While 19% of the women and 36% of men said they never clean their sex toys. This is especially problematic in that men's sex toys, in particular, are often made from highly porous elastomers, which are known for harboring bacteria, mold, fungi, and viruses. 

Sex Toy Hygiene: Prevent Infections & STDs

For those who wonder if you can get infections or even an STD from sex toys, the answer is yes. You can get an infection from not cleaning your sex toy properly, and you can damage the sex toy material as well. If you share a sex toy, you can also get an STD from it. Properly cleaning a sex toy will help avoid spreading unwanted bacteria, mold, mildew, fungus, or viruses.

You can also be exposed to harmful bacteria if you use a sex toy anally or close to the anus and then insert it into the vagina or near the urethra (where your urine comes out). Therefore, if you are going to use a sex toy that you use for anal play, put a condom over it or sanitize it well before using it near the vagina area or mouth.

Sanitize & Disinfect Vs. Sterilize

Let's examine the difference between the terms disinfection, sanitizing, and sterilization. They are all part of the decontamination process; however, disinfection and sanitizing reduces or may possibly eliminate harmful microorganisms, while sterilization kills ALL microorganisms. That is why when you hear about medical instruments being cleaned, they are referred to as being sterilized and cleaning your kitchen is called sanitizing or disinfecting it.

Sex Toy Cleaners

Sex toy cleaners are a solid option for sex toys made out of porous materials, but it is crucial to understand what they can and cannot do when disinfecting or sterilizing your sex toy. This is particularly relevant concerning porous sex toys, which we will review below.

Sex toy cleaners are designed to work with sex toys without causing damage to the materials. For example, using bleach or rubbing alcohol on some porous and nonporous materials can cause a chemical reaction that can damage your sex toy, so using something designed to be used with sex toys is a good idea. It is good to note that manufacturers will often put instructions on cleaning their sex toys, so always defer to their instructions as they typically know their sex toy best.

Using A UV Light To Clean Sex Toys

UV light can be a very effective way to disinfect items, but there are some things you should know before you try to use it to disinfect your sex toys.

• The most important thing to consider first and foremost when cleaning your sex toys is the quality of the machine doing it. For UV cleaning, we recommend the UVEE brand as it is large for a variety of sex toys and has a charging station.
  
  
• There are three types of UV light: A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet C (UVC). The one used to clean sex toys is typically UVC, and it is the highest energy of the three. Thus, it may cause degradation to polymers such as thermoplastics, thermosets, and elastomers. Over time this may cause microcracks which can cause damage to the sex toy as well as create a home for bacteria, mold, and fungi in which to live.
  
  
• In addition, the light can only clean what it hits, so if any shadows are being cast, you may have to move your sex toy around in different positions to ensure you get it completely exposed.
  
  
• It may have an advantage in cleaning porous, clear sex toys, but porous sex toys that are solid in color would not have the deep pores cleaned by the light. They may also have an advantage in cleaning sex toys with crevices as long as the light can reach inside them.
  
  
• You don't need a UV light to clean or sanitize your sex toys, and the other cleaning methods discussed in this article are perfectly fine.

Cleaning Porous Sex Toys

Sex toy cleaners will only disinfect the surface of a porous sex toy and will not sterilize. Nothing will completely sterilize a porous sex toy. These toys have too many microscopic pores that can harbor bacteria and viruses to be disinfected beyond the surface. Thus, when you use a sex toy cleaner on a porous sex toy such as elastomer (TPR & TPE), understand that you are reducing the bacteria, but you may not be completely eliminating it, especially further down in the pores. That is why we primarily sell only nonporous sex toys such as silicone, which can be sterilized.

We provide a few nonporous elastomer sex toy options because few silicone sex toys on the market today stretch like porous elastomers (TPR & TPE). This means that male masturbation sleeves that feel like skin are typically made out of elastomers to feel like skin. Some penis rings (cockrings) are also made out of elastomer to give it that stretch.

When cleaning a porous sex toy, do not use harsh chemicals with porous sex toys as they can linger in the pores and be absorbed directly into your bloodstream through the mucous membrane of your vagina or rectum. Sex toy cleaners will reduce microorganisms on sex toys enough to significantly lower the risk of infections if the sex toy cleaner soaks into the pores for ten minutes and is rinsed thoroughly. Please note that there is still a risk that you will not have gotten rid of enough of the microorganisms to be considered sanitized.

There are sex toy bloggers that refer to elastomer sex toys as being toxic and some sex educators won't even acknowledge them in their instructions on how to care for them or review what lubricants are compatible with them. There are two reasons for this: the inability to disinfect them and the synthetic oils they contain, which may negatively impact vaginal and rectal health.

Elastomer sex toys contain synthetic oils, which may negatively impact vaginal and rectal health. For these reasons, we do not carry any insertable sex toy made from a porous material such as an elastomer material that is intended to be used in the mouth, vagina, or rectum.

The porous sex toys we sell are reserved only for use on the exterior parts of the body, such as penis rings and male masturbation sleeves. In addition, when using these porous products, we strongly recommend following proper cleaning and storage methods and only using them for short-term periods or as single-use sex toys. To learn more about this, please see our article on Elastomer & Porous Sex Toys Guide.

As mentioned, elastomer sex toys can become toxic and harbor bacteria, mold, fungi, and viruses because they cannot be thoroughly disinfected. This is also why we do not recommend elastomer toys even if they are masturbation sleeves for those who have an autoimmune disease, compromised immune systems, are prone to yeast or bacterial infections, or other health conditions that would be especially sensitive to such exposure.

If you do decide you want to use elastomer sex toys, please use caution when using elastomer sex toys and be especially diligent in cleaning them and making sure they are completely air-dried. We also recommend using elastomer sex toys for short-term use as the bacteria, mold, etc., can build up over time. This is why we highly recommend single-use elastomer sex toys because you can dispose of them after you use them.

Cleaning Nonporous Sex Toys

You do not need a sex toy cleaner for nonporous sex toys. Sex toy cleaners work well on them, but they are not essential. Sex toy materials that are nonporous, such as silicone, ABS plastic, glass, and metal, are much easier to disinfect by washing for 30 seconds with soap and water. However, to thoroughly sterilize them, you may want to use a 10% bleach solution. 

Health Risks In Sharing Your Sex Toy

Sanitizing and disinfecting your sex toys should be enough to reduce harmful bacteria when you are using a sex toy by yourself. If you are using a sex toy that has been used by someone else or are sharing a sex toy with a partner, you may wish to sterilize it before using it. This will help prevent an STD transfer, which can only be done with nonporous sex toy materials such as silicone, ABS plastic, glass, and metal. When using porous sex toys, disinfecting it will not kill off all of the bacteria and viruses. That is why many people use condoms over them if they share a porous sex toy.

Using Condoms With Sex Toys

Porous sex toys should not be shared with other people. Because of this warning, some people use condoms with them to prevent spreading STDs, so if you opt to do this, please make sure it is an unlubricated, polyurethane condom. In addition, if using a lubricant, make sure you are using one compatible with polyurethane condoms as some are dependent on brand, not type. Also, keep in mind that even if you use one, there is still a chance that you may be risking contracting an STD or transferring bacteria, etc. Make sure to check lubricant compatibility with your condoms to ensure safety.

Sex toys made from porous materials such as TPE or TPR elastomers contain oil in them as it helps the material stay soft. The problem with this is that oils break down latex, which may make your condom ineffective. In addition, most condoms are lubricated with silicone lubricants. This type of lubricant (as well as oil) will break down elastomer, so make sure if you use a lubricated condom that you verify that it is waterbased.

Bleach & Vinegar Solutions

If it is deemed safe for your sex toys material, such as silicone, glass, ABS plastic, you can use bleach or vinegar to clean your sex toys. Mixing with water, use a 10% bleach solution and soak for 10 minutes or a 10% vinegar solution for 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and let air dry.

Using a 10% bleach solution on silicone is falling out of favor for disinfecting purposes. It is known to break down rapidly and has limited disinfection properties (some studies say it is within 10 minutes of mixing it). If you use it, the mixture would need to be made fresh and used right away, and let it soak in for at least 10 minutes.

Also, make sure to note that not all bleach is the disinfecting type. For example, some splash-less bleaches are not intended for disinfecting (kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria). Make sure your bleach bottle says that it disinfects.

Cleaning Sex Toys In The Dishwasher

There are several problems with putting sex toys in a dishwasher that most people do not understand. Overall, we do not recommend putting sex toys in a dishwasher to clean them, and below are the reasons why.

Heat & Harsh Detergents

Most sex toys are unsuitable for a dishwasher's high heat and harsh detergents. These materials include plastic and elastomers such as TPE, TPR, as well as rubber which can all become damaged, discolored, or misshapen. While silicone can handle high heat, using a harsh detergent on them may cause them to degrade over time.

Contamination Risks

Dishwashers are typically not completely cleaned between uses and can harbor mold, bacteria, and other contaminants. Putting a sex toy in the dishwasher could expose it to these contaminants, making it unsafe to use in the vagina or rectum or around the urethral opening (where urine comes out).

Will Not Be Sanitized

Many sex experts and even sex toy manufacturers indicate that sex toys could be put into the dishwasher to sanitize them. However, the water must reach 150 degrees to be considered sanitized. Most dishwashers have a sanitize setting, but not all sanitize because it has to be set up and certified to run using that heated 150-degree hot water. Thus, if your dishwasher was not hooked up to have at least 150-degree water running through it, it may not be sanitizing even if you are running the sanitize setting.

Electrical Issues

Of course, you would never want to put vibrators or anything electronic in your dishwasher because the heat will most likely damage the electronics, even if they are waterproof.

Cleaning Vibrators & Electronics

If your vibrator is not waterproof, you can wipe it down to clean it. You can also try angling it under the faucet of the sink so that you can wash it, taking care that the water does not get into any electrical components. Understand that you may risk getting water in your sex toy and cause it to corrode if you try this so do so knowing that you may be risking ruining your sex toy.

If your sex toy is waterproof, you may submerge it, but never immerse the part of a sex toy with electrical components unless it is waterproof (submersible). If it is water-resistant, you cannot submerge it, and it is not safe to fully put under running water.

Even if it is waterproof and can be submerged in water, never boil it or put it in the dishwasher as the heat will damage the electronics. To clean areas with crevices, you can use a soft toothbrush to get in between where the materials meet or in between textured areas.

After Cleaning A Sex Toy

Before you use or store your sex toy, ensure that they have no cracks or tears that may cause tissue damage once inside you or your partner or when it moves against one's body. Also, if it takes batteries, store without the batteries inside it to prevent possible corrosion. See our guide on How To Store A Sex Toy

How To Clean Silicone Sex Toys

The majority of the sex toys we sell are made from pure silicone as it is a nonporous, hypoallergenic, phthalate-free, and an easy to clean material. Silicone is a durable material and lasts for a very long time and is a superior material.

We use soap and water to clean our waterproof silicone sex toys. Lathering them up for 30 seconds and then rinsing them off and letting them air dry before storing them has proven to be sufficient. You can use a sex toy cleaner on them for added disinfecting, but it should not be necessary to properly clean your silicone sex toy.

You may also use water, and a 10% bleach solution, soaking for 10 minutes or a 10% vinegar solution while soaking for 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and let air dry.

Some manufacturers claim that using rubbing alcohol on silicone will damage their sex toy, so unless it specifically says you can use rubbing alcohol on the silicone sex toy you purchased, avoid it. You should also avoid hydrogen peroxide, and oil-based cleaning products as they can chemically damage silicone sex toys causing unwanted swelling as it absorbs into the silicone.

If your sex toy does not have mechanical components, silicone sex toys can be boiled on the stove for 5 minutes to be sterilized. They can also be cleaned in the dishwasher on the sanitize setting without detergent (water only).

Do not store silicone toys in direct sunlight as the resistance to light of the pigments used in your sex toy will vary, so some may fade. See our Lubricant Guide to determine which lubricants you may or may not use with silicone sex toys.

Misleading Silicone Labels

There are sex toys on the market that claim to be silicone blends, but we do not list them as such because they are not silicone nor should they be regarded as such. These materials are porous and fall under the category of materials such as elastomers, such as TPE or TPR. Many manufacturers make up names that can confuse consumers into thinking a sex toy is silicone when it is not.

Examples of non-silicone sex toys that sound like they are made of silicone are TPR-Silicone, Cyber-Silicone, and Silicone-Elastomer Blends. There is also an additive called Sil-A-Gel that is used primarily in PVC sex toys, which acts as an antimicrobial. However, this does not change how you should clean a PVC sex toy that contains Sil-A-Gel, nor does it make it silicone. If a sex toy is not 100% silicone, then use a sex toy cleaner to ensure that you do not damage your sex toy and understand that the porous sex toy rules apply. Make sure to see our article: Silicone Sex Toys: Is Yours Real?

Removing Odors From Your Silicone Sex Toy

• Silicone is like tofu which is odorless but can absorb odors. Thus, your silicone sex toy can hold a smell. Consumers often want to know how to remove smells from their sex toys, including plastic packaging to body odor. To remove the scent of plastic packaging, your silicone sex toy came in, wash it with soap and water, and let it air dry.
  
  
• To prevent body odors from sticking to your silicone sex toy, you can use oil (such as coconut oil) on it before inserting it, as this will help prevent odors from clinging to your toy. However, keep in mind that oil will degrade safe sex barriers such as condoms and other materials, so only use silicone. See our Lubricant Guide for more information.
  
  
• If your silicone sex toy is not electronic and simply solid silicone, you can boil it for thirty minutes to help remove any unwanted smells. You can add a little vinegar to the water to help if it has a stubborn odor. Do not boil in pure vinegar or any amount of bleach as this is toxic to breathe.
  
  
• When you store your sex toy, make sure it is an area that can breathe. Do not place it in a sealed bag or container as it will trap smells on your toy. Allowing it to air out is an excellent way to dissipate odor, and initially, drying it out after washing it in sunlight is very effective.
  
  
• If your sex toy is 100% silicone and is made of nothing else, you can bake it for twenty minutes at 250 degrees.
  
  
• You can try soaking it in a 10% bleach solution, baking soda, or Oxyclean (individually, not all three) for an hour and then wash it with soap and water.
  
  
• If you read our silicone sex toy guide and determine that your sex toy is not silicone and is a porous elastomer, then these methods will not work to remove the odor as they have microscopic pores that you will not be able to permeate.

Cleaning Silicone Menstrual Cups

Silicone menstrual cups are not made of the same type of silicone that dildos are often made out of, so the cleaning instructions are different despite them being silicone. Most manufacturers of silicone menstrual cups will tell you to avoid using the following to clean them:

• Alcohol (Isopropyl)
• Antibacterial soap
• Baking soda
• Bleach
• Dishwashing liquid
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Oil-based soap
• Scented soap
• Vinegar

How To Clean A Menstrual Cup

To initially clean them, you can put them in boiling water for 5-10 minutes. Do not boil them longer than ten minutes, and make sure that it does not contact the bottom of the pot where it can get scorched.

Once you are using it during your period, you can wash it with soap and water during the days of your period.

Once the end of your period has arrived, you can boil it again before storing it in a cool, dry place.

How To Clean Realistic Sex Toys

Cyberskin™, Fauxskin™, Futurotic™, NeoSkin®, UltraSkin™, Soft Touch™ brands are also known as realistic sex toys. These sex toys feel like skin and are very popular with people who want a soft, realistic feel to their sex toys and are phthalate-free and nontoxic. When used, they feel very much like skin, but they are very porous and can tear easily, so you must be careful with these sex toys and not be overly rough with them.

These realistic sex toys can harbor bacteria because of their pores, making them one of the more difficult sex toys to keep clean. They also require powder to keep them dry and realistic feeling when not in use. Many sex toy retailers sell this powder as Cyberskin powder, but it is simply cornstarch that you can pick up at your grocery store.

Many realistic sex toys use mineral oil or other plasticizers (plastic softening agents), which will break down over time, so they are not durable and will not last very long. The best thing you can use to clean them is a sex toy cleaner. Some say you can use a mild soap, but the problem with soap is that it goes into the pores and then froths up again once you put lubricant in it if you have not gotten the soap all out, and getting it all out is challenging.

Toy cleaners go into the pores and are more easily rinsed out as it does not adhere, froth or get reactivated as easily as soap. If you do use soap, avoid harsh soaps as they may damage your sex toy. We suggest that you use a sex toy cleaner, spray it on generously, let it soak in for ten minutes, then rinse it off well and let it air dry.

Making sure your sex toy dries adequately is very important because if you leave unwanted moisture in it, this will increase the chances of mold, mildew, fungus, and bacterial build-up.

Once it is dry, you can then sprinkle the Cyberskin powder on it; again those are made with corn starch. For the purest form, we recommend that you buy organic corn starch at your local health food store. Be sure to stay away from using talcum or baby powder as these have been linked to a possible cause of ovarian cancer.

How To Clean Elastomer Sex Toys

The most common elastomers found in sex toys are TPE and TPR. Some elastomer sex toys contain toxic phthalates. All of the elastomer sex toys that we carry are nontoxic and are phthalate-free.

Elastomed is a term sometimes used by sex toy manufacturers to describe a sex toy material and is labeled nonporous, odorless, and phthalate-free. We have not been able to verify the these claims.

Elastomer sex toys are porous, and using such sex toys is a bit riskier because they are harder to clean as they are porous. If not disinfected, they can contribute to bacterial infections, mold, and mildew exposure. There are food-grade, nonporous, medical grades of TPE and TPR, but they are rarely used in sex toys even when some manufacturers claim it.

We do not recommend using soap and water with elastomer sex toys as the soap can get into the pores of the sex toy and not be able to get out. This can mean that the next time you use the sex toy and put lubricant on it can create a frothy soap mixture.

We highly recommend using sex toy cleaners for these sex toys. First, rinse them with water, then spray on the sex toy cleaner. Rinse off thoroughly and let completely air dry. Store in a bag or container that allows air to get to it as it may be dry to the touch, but it may still have some residual moisture in it, causing bacteria, mold or fungus growth.

We limit the elastomer sex toys we sell because we encourage consumers to buy nonporous sex toys such as silicone, glass, metal, and ABS plastic. However, some sex toys such as male masturbation sleeves, dildos, penis extenders, and penis rings (cockrings) are more enjoyed by some customers because they stretch and feel like skin.

If you use condoms on elastomer sex toys, use polyurethane condoms because there are traces of oils in elastomers that can break down latex condoms. In addition, if using a lubricant, make sure you are using one compatible with polyurethane condoms as some are dependent on brand, not type.

How To Clean Jelly Sex Toys

There are different types of jelly sex toy materials, so it is difficult to know what it is made out of, which is why we do not carry them. Some jelly sex toys have phthalates (toxins you want to avoid), and some do not, such as jelly rubber. Jelly sex toys are porous, so you will need to take care to clean them carefully. We recommend sex toy cleaners for jelly sex toys but understand that they will only disinfect the jelly sex toy on the surface as they are primarily porous. Understand that soap and water and sex toy cleaners will not sterilize them. Do not use harsh chemicals with them, and if you have a jelly sex toy and are not sure if it has phthalates in it, you can always put an unlubricated polyurethane condom over them for added protection. In addition, if using a lubricant, make sure you are using one compatible with polyurethane condoms as some are dependent on brand, not type.

How To Clean Rubber Sex Toys

Rubber is firmer than silicone but tends to wear out much faster. Rubber sex toys can be used with condoms to make clean up easy. They can be also be cleaned with mild soap and water or sex toy cleaner.

Latex Allergies

Although rare, some people have an allergic reaction to latex. If you or your partner has an allergic reaction to your sex toy, we recommend discontinuing the use of that toy and consulting with a physician. Latex allergies can cause symptoms such as hives, itchy skin, or even anaphylaxis, which is life-threatening that can make your throat swell and cause difficulty breathing. If you cover it with a polyurethane condom, you should be aware that it may not prevent such an allergic reaction, especially for those with severe latex allergies. In addition, if using a lubricant, make sure you are using one compatible with polyurethane condoms as some are dependent on brand, not type.

How To Clean Plastic Sex Toys

ABS plastic is firm, smooth and easy to clean. ABS is a thermoplastic and stands for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene. It is also used to manufacture LEGO® blocks. All the ABS plastic sex toys we carry are phthalate-free and body safe. Keep in mind that some plastics can contain phthalates, so be wary when buying them elsewhere and ask. Typically plastic vibrators are not the ideal sex toys for thrusting in and out vaginally or anally as they can feel overly rigid, unlike the flex that silicone provides. They are, however, popular for clitoral vibrators as they often give off an intense vibration.

We wash waterproof ABS plastic sex toys with soap and water. Taking care to lather them well for 30 seconds. ABS Plastic can also be sprayed down with a sex toy cleaner and rinsed off. If there are electrical components and it is not waterproof you can wipe it clean.

Sometimes ABS plastic can indicate that it has a PU coat, which means that it has a polyurethane coating. ABS plastic can tolerate rubbing alcohol, but it may turn it yellowish and change its color; it may also damage polyurethane (PU coat) finishes, so we do not recommend it.

How To Clean Metal Sex Toys

Metal sex toys come in stainless steel, aluminum, and even gold and silver. You will want to be careful that the sex toys you purchase are pure metals and buy from a reputable sex toy store as they can be harmful if not crafted well. We carry only certified medical-surgical 316-grade stainless steel sex toys through brands such as Le Wand.

Metal is nonporous, so clean up is very easy. You can use a 10% bleach solution in cold water only for 90 seconds. Do not use hot water and do not leave it soaking longer than this as bleach can corrode stainless steel. You can boil them and use a mild soap and water.

We do not recommend a dishwasher as some rinse agents are harmful to some metals. If you do use a dishwasher wash using only water. You should also not use jewelry cleaners on them. Ensure that you dry your metal sex toy carefully.

If you heat a metal sex toy by boiling it or put it in the dishwasher, always test the temperature before picking it up or using it for sex play as metal can burn the skin at high heat. Remember, it holds its heat very well.

Be careful when buying metal toys, as some may not be body safe. Some popular sex toys are listed as stainless steel but have copper underneath their surface, which means they are not real stainless steel. Quality metal will not have pits or rough patches in them; rather, they will have a mirror finish like chrome.

How To Clean Vinyl Sex Toys

Vinyl is quite similar to rubber and is porous. These sex toys are lightweight and easy to keep clean and come in various forms and colors. We only carry food-grade vinyl to ensure that it is body safe, and you can primarily find this material used in some of our body massager attachments.

How To Clean: Mild soap and water or sex toy cleaner.

How To Clean Glass Sex Toys

We specialize in only the best, body safe sex toys, so that is why we only carry Phallix Glass sex toys. There are many glass dildos on the market; however, we only sell those made with a medical form of annealed Pyrex® glass that is hand-blown using patented designs called Borosilicate. Our body safe glass dildos are handmade in the United States, properly hardened. They are free of lead and other toxins and are created by Master Glass Artisans who know what they are doing to make them safe. Our cleaning instructions are based on the dildos that we carry. Cheaper glass dildos may not be able to be cleaned in the same manner, so check with the manufacturer.

Glass is very easy to clean and can be washed with soap and water, sex toy cleaner. Do not use any abrasive cleaner so as not to scratch it and dull the surface. Ensure the water is at room temperature before adding or removing any glass as sudden, drastic temperature changes may, on rare occasions, cause it to crack.

You may boil or put Borosilicate Schott glass. However, having it in a pot of boiling water can knock it around, causing it to hit the sides of the pot, so you may want to wrap it in a washcloth to prevent it from knocking about. If you heat it by boiling it, always test the temperature before picking it up or using it for sex play as glass can burn the skin at high heat. Remember, it holds its heat very well.

How To Clean Acrylic Sex Toys

These sex toys tend to be quite firm; however, you may want to check to make sure they do not contain phthalates as some sex toys may have them. We do not carry acrylic sex toys.

How To Clean: Mild soap and water or sex toy cleaner.

How To Clean Wood Sex Toys

We only carry body safe sex toys, so that is why we work directly with NobEssence, who makes the safest wood sex toys on the market. There may be knockoffs on the market, so you can verify NobEssence sex toys by looking for their distinctive "n" shaped registered trademark and impermeable proprietary finish if you are unsure.

NobEssence assures customers that their products will not cause a user to get splinters and seals them with an impermeable polymer coating called Lubrosity that keeps it safe from moisture, which is what causes wood to become rough, bumpy, or splintery. This coating is entirely phthalate-free, odorless, and has a colorless finish, which forms an impermeable barrier to chemicals and bacteria. Lubrosity meets USP Class IV and VI Medical Standards. They may be soaked in water and remain in contact with the body for hours at a time. They contain no wax, oils, or petroleum distillates.

Because they seal all of their sex toys in Lubrosity, you can clean your NobEssence wood sex toy with a 10% bleach solution or diluted rubbing alcohol for sanitizing because of these high standards.

Squirting & Self Lubricating Dildos

Sex toys that can be loaded with lubricant to self lubricate or simulate ejaculation may be challenging to clean. If any moisture is left in the lube receptacle, it can harbor bacteria, mold, fungus, etc., so you must disinfect this part of the toy. The manufacturer should provide instructions on how to do this so as to not to damage the sex toy and allow you to disinfect it.

When Should You Replace Your Sex Toys?

Not all sex toys last forever, so how do you know when it's time to say goodbye.

• Mechanical features slow or stop working, even after battery replacement. Learn more about sex toy batteries through our Sex Toy Battery Guide
  
  
• Cracks are visible in plastic, acrylic, or glass toys, or on the plastic pieces of other toys.
  
  
• Mold, fungus, or mildew has formed on the material, or the material is deteriorating. Elastomer sex toys break down within several months. Depending on the frequency of use and decompensation, they should not be used for more than 8-10 months. 
  
  
• Battery corrosion is seen inside the battery pack. If this happens, do not try and remove them. Your sex toy is ruined and it should be discarded. You will need to properly dispose of the product to avoid getting chemical burns from the damaged battery.

Storing Your Sex Toys

How you store your sex toys is as important as how you clean them. While we're not suggesting you need to invest in a temperature-controlled vault, there are some basic things you can do to prolong the life of any toy, as well as keep it clean and safe from harm.

• Please see our How To Store Sex Toys Guide for more helpful information on how to care for your sex toys.
  
  
• Also see our Lubricant Guide to determine which lubricants you may or may not use with your sex toys.

Special Coupon!

Enjoy our 15% off coupon to buy any of our nontoxic, body-safe sex toys on your entire order, including our sale prices! Use coupon code: CLEAN15