How to Clean and Care for Silicone Dildos: NZ Guide (2026)

A medical-grade silicone dildo cared for properly lasts 5–10+ years. Cared for badly, the same toy can degrade in 12–18 months. This guide walks through everything: routine cleaning, full sterilisation, what lube to use (and what destroys silicone), storage, drying, common mistakes, and the warning signs of end-of-life. Written for NZ readers, simple and practical.

Quick answer: the silicone care rules

  • Wash before AND after every use with warm water and mild fragrance-free soap.
  • Sterilise periodically by boiling for 3 minutes (toys without electronics).
  • Use water-based lube only. Silicone-based lube degrades silicone toys irreversibly.
  • Air-dry completely before storage — trapped moisture causes problems.
  • Store separately from other silicone toys — silicone-on-silicone contact damages surfaces.
  • Never use harsh chemicals (bleach, hydrogen peroxide, isopropyl) on silicone. Water and mild soap only.
  • Inspect periodically for surface changes — tackiness, discolouration, or texture changes signal end of life.

That's the foundation. Detail below.

1. Why silicone needs care (and why it's worth it)

Medical-grade platinum-cure silicone is one of the most durable materials in adult retail — but "durable" doesn't mean "indestructible." The two things that age silicone fastest are:

  1. Chemical exposure — mainly silicone-based lubricants, but also harsh cleaning chemicals.
  2. Physical contact with other silicone — silicone toys stored touching each other can chemically bond at the surface over months or years, leaving tacky patches.

Everything else — routine washing, occasional sterilisation, air-drying — is straightforward and adds maybe two minutes per use. Get those right and you'll have a toy that outlasts most of what's in your bedroom drawer.

2. Routine cleaning: before and after every use

The standard procedure

  1. Rinse the toy under warm running water to remove the bulk of any residue.
  2. Apply a small amount of mild fragrance-free soap — unscented hand soap, baby soap, or a dedicated sex-toy cleaner.
  3. Work the soap over the entire surface with your fingers for 30–60 seconds, paying particular attention to any textured areas, the base, and around any vibrator buttons.
  4. Rinse thoroughly until no soap residue remains.
  5. Air-dry completely before storage. Pat with a clean towel if you want, but let final drying happen in open air.

What "mild fragrance-free soap" means

Look for soap with:

  • No fragrance or essential oils (fragrance can irritate mucous membranes)
  • pH around 5–7 (close to natural body pH)
  • No antibacterial additives (triclosan, etc.)

Avoid: heavily perfumed soaps, antibacterial soaps, dishwashing liquid (too harsh), strong castile soap (high pH).

Dedicated toy cleaners — worth it?

Commercial sex-toy cleaners are mostly fragrance-free pH-balanced surfactant in a spray bottle. They work fine. They're not strictly necessary if you have a good mild soap on hand, but they're convenient — spray, wipe, rinse.

3. Full sterilisation: when and how

Routine washing kills most surface bacteria. Full sterilisation goes further — it kills everything, including spores. You should sterilise:

  • Before sharing a toy between partners
  • Between vaginal and anal use in the same session
  • After any session where you've been sick (cold, flu, infection)
  • Periodically — monthly is a reasonable cadence for a regularly-used toy
  • After long storage — if you haven't used a toy for 3+ months

Sterilisation method 1: boiling (toys without electronics)

Only for 100% silicone, glass, or stainless steel toys with no motor, battery, or sensitive electronics.

  1. Place the toy in a pot of cold water — don't drop a cold toy into already-boiling water.
  2. Bring the water to a rolling boil.
  3. Boil for 3 full minutes — set a timer.
  4. Remove with tongs. The toy will be hot — let it cool naturally to room temperature.
  5. Air-dry completely before storage.

Sterilisation method 2: 10% bleach solution (any toy)

Useful for toys with motors that can't be boiled. The toy doesn't need to be submerged — only the silicone surface needs contact.

  1. Mix 1 part household bleach to 10 parts water in a clean container.
  2. Wipe the silicone surface with a clean cloth dipped in the solution — not the motor housing.
  3. Let the solution sit on the surface for 1 minute.
  4. Rinse thoroughly with plenty of clean water — any residual bleach can irritate mucous membranes.
  5. Wash with mild soap and water to remove any final bleach traces.
  6. Air-dry completely.

Sterilisation method 3: dishwasher (glass only, not silicone)

Glass dildos can go on the top rack of a dishwasher (no detergent, or fragrance-free detergent only). Silicone toys shouldn't — the high heat and harsh detergent can degrade the surface over repeated cycles.

What NOT to use

  • Pure isopropyl alcohol or hand sanitiser — can leave silicone surface tacky over time.
  • Hydrogen peroxide — can discolour silicone.
  • Vinegar — doesn't sterilise effectively at the dilution you'd reasonably use.
  • UV sterilising boxes sold for sex toys — some work, many don't deliver enough UV-C exposure to actually sterilise. Boiling or bleach are more reliable.

4. The lube rule that matters most

This is the most important single piece of silicone care advice: never use silicone-based lube on a silicone toy.

Why it matters

Silicone lube is chemically similar to silicone toys. When the two come into contact for extended periods, the lube bonds with the surface molecules of the toy. Over multiple sessions, this creates:

  • A tacky surface that doesn't fully clean off
  • Microscopic surface degradation that becomes porous over time
  • Cloudy or sticky patches that won't return to smooth

This damage is irreversible. Once the surface starts to feel tacky, no amount of washing brings it back.

What to use instead

Water-based lube only. Thick water-based formulas (around 500 cP viscosity) work best for silicone dildos — they last longer between reapplications and don't get absorbed too quickly. For shower play where water-based lube rinses off, use the toy with extra water-based lube applied more frequently, or switch to a glass dildo (compatible with silicone lube).

Other lube types

  • Oil-based lube — also degrades silicone over time. Avoid.
  • Hybrid lubes (water + silicone) — test a small area first; some hybrids cause silicone degradation, some don't.
  • Aloe-based natural lubes — generally safe on silicone, but check ingredients for hidden silicone compounds.

5. Drying: don't skip this step

A damp silicone toy stored in a closed pouch is a humid environment where the surface can develop spots, persistent smell, or in extreme cases mould (around any seams or grooves where water collects).

How to dry properly

  1. Pat the surface with a clean lint-free towel — microfibre is ideal.
  2. Stand the toy upright on a clean towel or drying rack, base down so any trapped water drains.
  3. Air-dry for at least 30–60 minutes — longer for textured or vibrating toys with crevices.
  4. For thrusting or vibrating toys — leave the battery cap off (if applicable) and direct an electric fan at the toy for 15 minutes if you're in a hurry.

Speed tip

If you need the toy dry quickly, pat thoroughly with a microfibre cloth and use a hairdryer on cool setting for 1–2 minutes. Don't use heat — it stresses electronics on powered toys.

6. Storage: where most damage happens

Storage causes more silicone damage than use does, because storage takes weeks and months. Three rules:

Rule 1: store silicone toys separately from each other

Silicone-on-silicone contact in storage can chemically bond the surfaces of two toys together over months — leaving them stuck together or with degraded surfaces when separated. Always:

  • Use the individual pouch each toy shipped with
  • Or store each toy in its own cotton drawstring bag
  • Or use a divided storage box where each toy sits in its own compartment
  • Never throw multiple silicone toys loose into the same drawer

Rule 2: store away from heat and direct sunlight

UV light and heat both degrade silicone over years. Don't store in:

  • A windowsill drawer that gets afternoon sun
  • The hot water cupboard
  • Inside a car
  • Near a heater or hot pipe

A standard bedside drawer or wardrobe shelf is fine.

Rule 3: store dust-free

Silicone is slightly tacky and picks up lint, hair and dust easily. Stored in a pouch, this isn't a problem; stored exposed, it becomes annoying. The first rinse before use removes most of it, but cotton-pouched storage saves the hassle.

7. Cleaning rechargeable and motorised silicone toys

Thrusting dildos, vibrating dildos, and remote/app-controlled toys need different cleaning approaches because of the motor and electronics inside.

Standard procedure

  1. Wash the silicone shaft with warm water and mild soap, as normal.
  2. Do NOT submerge the motor housing unless the toy is rated IPX7 (fully waterproof up to 1m for 30 min).
  3. Splash-rated (IPX5) toys can be wiped but not submerged.
  4. Pay attention to the seam between the silicone shaft and the motor housing — lube and residue collect here.
  5. Check the charge port is clean and dry before charging.
  6. Use a 10% bleach wipe on the silicone surface periodically for full sterilisation (then rinse with mild soap).

The IPX rating cheat sheet

  • IPX4 — splash-resistant. Wipe with damp cloth only.
  • IPX5 — splash-proof. Quick rinse OK; don't submerge.
  • IPX7 — fully submersible up to 1m for 30 min. Safe for bath/shower use and full underwater wash.
  • IPX8 — deeper/longer submersion than IPX7. Rare on adult toys.

Check your toy's spec before any submersion.

8. Warning signs of end-of-life silicone

Even well-cared-for silicone toys eventually age. Watch for:

  • Surface tackiness that doesn't wash off — often the first sign of silicone-lube damage
  • Cloudy or whitish patches that weren't there originally
  • Texture changes — once-smooth areas feel rough
  • Persistent odour after thorough cleaning — unusual on properly-cared-for silicone, indicates surface degradation
  • Visible cracks, splits, or chunks coming away
  • For powered toys: motor running noticeably slower, battery holding charge for less than half its original time, water inside the motor housing

Any of these signs = retire the toy. Don't try to extend life past visible damage — once a silicone surface degrades, it becomes more porous and less hygienic.

9. Common mistakes to avoid

  • Using silicone lube on a silicone toy. The single most damaging mistake. Water-based only.
  • Skipping the pre-use rinse. Dust and storage residue accumulate even in a pouch.
  • Storing damp. Wait until fully dry; air-dry rather than seal away wet.
  • Storing touching another silicone toy. Separate pouches always.
  • Using harsh chemicals — isopropyl, bleach undiluted, peroxide. Stick to water + mild soap; use diluted bleach only for proper sterilisation with full rinse.
  • Submerging non-waterproof powered toys. Check the IPX rating.
  • Dishwashing silicone. Glass is dishwasher-safe; silicone is not.
  • Skipping cleaning before AND after. Both halves matter — before removes storage dust, after removes session residue.

10. Frequently asked questions

How often should I clean my silicone dildo?

Before and after every use — minimum. Periodic full sterilisation (monthly is a reasonable cadence for daily use) extends life and ensures full hygiene.

Can I use baby wipes?

Baby wipes work for a quick external clean between sessions, but they aren't a replacement for proper washing with soap and water. Many baby wipes also contain fragrance or alcohol that aren't ideal for prolonged silicone contact.

Can I use my dishwasher to clean silicone toys?

No — the heat and detergent over repeated cycles can degrade silicone. Glass dildos can go in the dishwasher; silicone toys should be hand-washed.

How do I clean lube residue out of textured silicone?

A soft toothbrush dedicated to toy cleaning is the best tool for textured areas (ridges, scales, knots). Use with mild soapy water, work into the texture, rinse thoroughly. For deeply textured toys, also boil periodically to fully reset.

How do I know when to replace?

Surface tackiness that doesn't wash off, persistent odour, visible cracks or texture changes, or for powered toys: noticeably slower motor or shorter charge life. Any of these signs = time to replace.

Are sex-toy cleaning sprays a scam?

No, but they're optional. Most are fragrance-free, pH-balanced surfactant in a convenient spray bottle. They work fine. Mild fragrance-free soap and water do the same job for less money.

Does silicone discolour over time?

Quality medical-grade silicone shouldn't significantly discolour. Slight yellowing is occasionally seen on white or clear silicone after years of use — it's cosmetic, not a safety issue. Strong colour change (especially patches of cloudy or yellow) usually indicates surface degradation.

Can I share a silicone toy?

Yes — with full sterilisation between users (boil 3 minutes), or with a fresh condom on the toy each time. This is one of silicone's key advantages over porous materials.

How do I store toys discreetly?

Most adult-toy storage boxes look like neutral fabric storage boxes from a distance. Drawer dividers, fabric drawer organisers, or a lockable bedside box all work. The toy pouch each toy ships with handles the silicone-separation requirement.

What about between trip / travel?

Wash before packing, dry fully, store in the original pouch or a clean cotton bag, and place in a hard-sided travel case so it can't be damaged in luggage. Silicone toys aren't restricted at NZ airports.

11. The product checklist for a complete care kit

  • Mild fragrance-free soap (unscented hand soap works)
  • Soft-bristle dedicated toothbrush for textured cleaning
  • Clean lint-free towel (microfibre is ideal)
  • Cotton drawstring pouches for each toy that didn't ship with one
  • Thick water-based lube (100ml bottle)
  • Optional: dedicated sex-toy cleaner spray
  • Optional: lockable storage box

12. Recommended at Naughty Hut

The bottom line

Silicone care is simple: wash before and after every use with mild fragrance-free soap and warm water, sterilise periodically (boil 3 minutes), use water-based lube only, air-dry completely, and store separately from other silicone toys in a cool, dust-free place. Get those right and a quality medical-grade silicone dildo will last 5–10+ years — longer than almost any other category of object you own. The lube rule is the one mistake that ages silicone fastest, so it's the one to get right first: silicone toys, water-based lube only.

Browse our Dildos NZ collection — every order ships discreetly from our NZ warehouse with care instructions included.

Reviewed and updated: May 2026 by the Naughty Hut editorial team. See our editorial standards.

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