How to Clean and Store Your Silicone Sex Toys Properly
By Le Wand: Best Wand Vibrators and Sex Toys for Solo & Couples | Published: 2026-10-15
Category: Tips & Care
A step-by-step guide to cleaning silicone sex toys properly, with storage tips that protect your investment and keep play hygienic.
Quick answer
Clean silicone sex toys with warm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap or a dedicated toy cleaner, rinse thoroughly, and dry completely before storing. For motorized toys, avoid submerging the battery compartment or charging port unless the manufacturer explicitly says it is waterproof. Store each toy separately in a breathable pouch to prevent lint, dust, and material transfer.
Why silicone needs its own cleaning routine
Silicone is non-porous, which makes it one of the easiest sex toy materials to clean thoroughly. Unlike porous materials such as jelly, PVC, or TPE, silicone does not harbor bacteria inside its surface, so a consistent wash after every use is usually enough to keep it hygienic. That same non-porous surface also means silicone can be safely cleaned with gentle soap and water without degrading. However, silicone toys with motors, buttons, or charging ports need a more careful approach because water can damage the electronics even if the silicone itself is fine.
What you actually need
You do not need a cabinet full of specialty products. A mild, unscented liquid soap works for most silicone toys, and a dedicated toy cleaner is a convenient option when you want a no-rinse or quick-clean formula. Avoid antibacterial soaps, heavily fragranced body washes, and anything containing alcohol, petroleum, or silicone-based ingredients, since those can leave residue or degrade the surface over time. For drying, use a clean, lint-free cloth or let the toy air-dry on a clean towel. For storage, choose a breathable pouch or a hard case with a soft lining rather than a sealed plastic bag, which can trap moisture.
How to clean toys with motors or charging ports
Motorized silicone toys require you to keep water away from the mechanical parts. Wipe the silicone surface with a damp cloth and toy cleaner instead of running the whole toy under the tap. If the toy is rated waterproof by the manufacturer, you can rinse it, but still avoid submerging the charging port or battery compartment. After cleaning, pat the port area dry immediately and let the toy air-dry completely before charging or storing. Never charge a toy while it is still wet.
Storing silicone without damaging it
Silicone can react with other silicone toys or silicone-based lubricants, causing surfaces to become tacky or degrade. Store each silicone toy separately, or wrap them in a soft cloth before placing them together. Keep toys away from direct sunlight, extreme heat, and sharp objects. A dedicated storage bag or box also keeps dust and pet hair off your toys between uses. If you use a strap-on harness, store the harness flat or rolled loosely so the O-ring and straps do not crease or stretch.
Step-by-step cleaning and storage routine
- 1. Read the manufacturer's care instructions first: Check whether your toy is waterproof, splash-proof, or wipe-only. This determines whether you can rinse it under a tap or need to keep water away from the motor and charging port. Skipping this step is the most common way people accidentally damage a motorized toy. If the manual is missing, treat the toy as splash-proof and wipe it clean rather than submerging it.
- 2. Wash the silicone surface with mild soap and warm water: Apply a small amount of unscented, mild soap or toy cleaner to the silicone and rub gently with your fingers or a soft cloth. For textured toys, use a soft toothbrush to reach crevices. Rinse thoroughly under warm running water, or wipe with a clean damp cloth if the toy is not fully waterproof. Avoid harsh soaps, alcohol, and silicone-based cleaners, which can leave residue or degrade the surface.
- 3. Dry completely before storing: Pat the toy dry with a lint-free cloth and let it air-dry for a few minutes. Pay extra attention to seams, buttons, and charging ports. Storing a toy while it is still damp can encourage mold or mildew, especially in humid bathrooms. If you can see or feel any moisture, it is not dry enough to store.
- 4. Store each toy separately in a breathable pouch or case: Place silicone toys in individual pouches or wrap them in a soft cloth to prevent them from touching each other or other materials. Keep them away from direct sunlight, heat, and sharp objects. For strap-on harnesses, store them flat or loosely rolled so the straps and O-ring keep their shape. Never seal damp toys in an airtight plastic bag; choose a breathable bag or a hard case with a soft lining.
- 5. Clean before and after every use: Even if a toy looks clean, a quick wash before use removes dust and storage residue, and cleaning after use prevents bacteria from sitting on the surface. If you switch between partners or between anal and vaginal play, clean the toy thoroughly in between or use a fresh condom on the toy. Make cleaning part of your routine, not an occasional task.
Product care notes
- faux leather strap-on harness: The Faux Leather Strap-On Harness has a built-in O-ring that holds dildos of various sizes. Wipe the harness with a damp cloth and mild soap, then air-dry completely before storing it flat or rolled loosely to keep the O-ring and straps in shape.
- the cowgirl sex machine: The Cowgirl Sex Machine is padded all over and comes with 100% body-safe silicone attachments. Clean the silicone attachments with warm water and mild soap, and wipe the padded base with a damp cloth. Dry all parts fully before storing.
- together toy double-ended vibrating strap-on dildo with remote control: The Together Toy is a purple, double-ended vibrating strap-on dildo with a remote control. Because it has a remote and motors, avoid submerging the remote or the toy's charging port. Wipe the silicone surfaces with toy cleaner and dry thoroughly.
