How to Clean and Care for Female Sex Toys (NZ Guide)

A Naughty Hut care guide for confident NZ readers. Written and reviewed by the Naughty Hut editorial team. See our editorial standards.

Why toy care matters more than people realise

Sex toys live in close, often intimate contact with mucous membranes — some of the most absorbent and infection-vulnerable tissue in the body. The basic care rules are simple, but skipping them creates real risks: bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, UTIs, skin irritation, and (in the case of porous toys) chronic low-grade contamination that can't be properly sterilised. This guide covers what to clean, how, how often, and what mistakes to avoid — by material, by toy type, and by use case.

Material first: how to identify what your toy is made of

Cleaning instructions depend entirely on material. Before anything else, identify what you have.

Platinum-cured silicone (the gold standard)

Soft, smooth, slightly matte finish, no rubbery smell. Non-porous, body-safe, hypoallergenic, sterilisable. The material used by reputable modern brands (LELO, We-Vibe, Fun Factory, premium Adam & Eve, premium Satisfyer, Loveline, Bodywand and most other body-safe brands at Naughty Hut). The vast majority of female sex toys we stock.

ABS plastic

Hard, smooth, often shiny. Body-safe, non-porous, easy to clean. Common in bullets, rigid clitoral toys, and rigid components of larger toys.

Borosilicate glass

Hard, smooth, often clear or coloured. Body-safe, non-porous, temperature-responsive, fully sterilisable. Common in glass dildos, Ben Wa balls, and G-spot toys.

Surgical-grade stainless steel

Heavy, polished, often weighted. Body-safe, non-porous, fully sterilisable. Common in premium Ben Wa balls and luxury dildos.

TPR / TPE / jelly / PVC (porous materials — problematic)

Soft, often sticky-feeling, sometimes with a chemical smell. Porous, harder to keep hygienic, can degrade with body fluids and lubricants. Avoid where possible. If you already own a porous toy, treat as single-use or use exclusively with a condom over it. Replace when worn.

If you can't tell what your toy is made of and the packaging didn't say: assume the most cautious treatment (wipe-clean only, don't boil, don't share, replace within a year). Reputable brands always specify materials.

Cleaning protocol by toy type

Non-motorised silicone toys (dildos, dilators, kegel balls without vibration, plugs)

The most flexible category in terms of cleaning. After every use:

1. Rinse with warm water to remove fluids and lube.
2. Wash with mild fragrance-free soap or a dedicated silicone-safe toy cleaner.
3. Rinse thoroughly.
4. Air-dry or pat dry with a clean lint-free cloth.

For deeper sterilisation between users or after illness:

• Boil: 3–5 minutes in a clean pot. Use tongs to remove. Air-dry.
• Dishwasher: Top rack, no detergent (or sanitise cycle if available).
• 10% bleach solution: 1 part household bleach to 9 parts water, soak for 10 minutes, then rinse extensively. Use sparingly — frequent bleach exposure damages silicone surface over time.

Motorised silicone toys (clitoral vibrators, G-spot vibrators, wand vibrators, vibrating kegel balls)

Cleaning depends on the toy's waterproof rating:

• Fully waterproof (IPX7 or higher): Can be rinsed under running water. Don't submerge for long periods.
• Splash-proof / water-resistant only: Wipe with a damp soapy cloth, then a damp clean cloth, then dry. Keep the charging port away from water.
• Not water-rated: Wipe with antibacterial wipes or a barely-damp cloth. Don't immerse.

Never boil motorised toys. Never put them in the dishwasher. The motor and battery will fail.

Glass and stainless steel toys

The easiest to clean. Wash with warm soapy water, rinse, dry. Can be boiled, dishwasher-cleaned, or wiped with high-percentage isopropyl alcohol (70%+) between uses. Inspect carefully before each use for any chip or crack — damaged glass or steel can cut soft tissue.

Air-pulse / suction toys (silicone tip + motorised body)

Pay special attention to the silicone tip that contacts the clitoris — it's the surface that needs the most hygiene attention. After every use:

1. If the tip is removable: detach and wash separately with warm soapy water.
2. Wipe the motorised body with a damp soapy cloth.
3. Rinse the tip thoroughly (or the entire toy if IPX7-rated).
4. Air-dry tip-down so any residual moisture drains away from the motor.

Fabric-and-toy combinations (vibrating panties, wearable harnesses)

Clean the two parts separately:

• Vibrating unit: Wipe with toy cleaner or damp soapy cloth. Don't immerse unless IPX7-rated.
• Fabric panty: Hand-wash with mild fragrance-free detergent. Air-dry. Avoid bleach, hot dryers, or fabric softener — they damage stretch elastic and synthetic fibres.

Pumps (pussy pumps, clitoral pumps)

Multiple components, multiple cleaning steps:

• Silicone cup: Wash with warm soapy water; can be boiled if 100% silicone non-motorised.
• Tubing: Rinse through with warm soapy water. Let air-dry completely before storage — damp tubing harbours bacteria and mould.
• Pump bulb / motor unit: Wipe externally only — don't submerge mechanical components.

Lubricant rules

Lubricant type matters more than many people realise. Wrong lube + wrong toy material = damaged toy surface, which then can't be properly cleaned, which then becomes a hygiene problem. Match correctly:

• Silicone toys + water-based lube: The default and safest combination. No reactions, easy cleanup.
• Silicone toys + silicone-based lube: Avoid. Silicone-on-silicone bonds at the surface and degrades the toy's finish over time. Even reportedly "safe" combinations break down on long-term use. Stick to water-based.
• Silicone toys + oil-based lube: Avoid for the same reason; also harder to clean off silicone.
• Glass / steel / ABS toys + any lube type: Safe. These materials don't react with lube chemistry.
• Latex condoms + silicone or water-based lube: Safe.
• Latex condoms + oil-based lube: Never — oil degrades latex within minutes, breaking the condom.

Sterilisation methods (when you actually need them)

Most everyday use doesn't require full sterilisation — warm soapy water is enough between solo sessions. Sterilise when:

• Sharing a toy between people (best practice: use a condom over the toy between users, but full sterilisation between is equally valid)
• After any STI exposure or active infection
• Before first use after long storage
• If a toy has been dropped on a non-sanitary surface (floor, bag, etc.)
• Switching between anal and vaginal use without a condom on the toy

Boiling (only for 100% silicone, glass, stainless steel, non-motorised toys)

Submerge fully in clean boiling water for 3–5 minutes. Use tongs. Air-dry.

Dishwasher (only for 100% silicone non-motorised, glass, stainless steel)

Top rack, sanitise cycle if available, no detergent. Run alone or with very mild dishes — no greasy load. Verify your toy can survive heat first.

10% bleach solution (silicone, glass, stainless steel only)

1 part household bleach to 9 parts water. Soak 10 minutes. Rinse extensively. Air-dry. Use sparingly — repeated bleach exposure dulls and weakens silicone over time.

70%+ isopropyl alcohol (glass, stainless steel, ABS plastic only)

Wipe surfaces thoroughly. Air-dry. Don't use on silicone — alcohol can degrade the surface.

UV sterilisation cases

UV-C light cases (sold separately) sterilise without water or heat. Suitable for all toy types including motorised. Worth considering if you own many motorised toys.

Storage: where most people go wrong

Cleaning matters; so does storage. The most common storage mistakes:

• Storing toys damp. Bacteria love moisture. Air-dry completely before storage.
• Silicone toys touching each other. Different silicone formulations can react chemically when stored in contact, causing surface degradation. Store each silicone toy separately.
• Storing toys in shared drawer with other items. Lint, dust, hair, and contamination from anything else in the drawer end up on the toy.
• Direct sunlight. UV degrades silicone over time. Keep toys in a cool, dark place.
• Plastic bags long-term. Trapped humidity. Use breathable cotton pouches.

Best practice: clean toy → air-dry completely → store in individual cotton or muslin pouch → keep pouch in a dedicated drawer or box away from sunlight and humidity.

When to replace a sex toy

Sex toys aren't forever. Replace any toy that shows:

• Surface cracks, splits, or peeling
• Discolouration that doesn't wash off (often a sign of degraded silicone)
• Persistent smell after thorough cleaning
• Sticky or tacky surface that wasn't there originally
• Damaged retrieval cords (kegel balls) or weakened bases (plugs, dilators)
• Frayed wiring, dim charging indicators, or motor noises (motorised toys)
• For porous TPE / jelly / PVC toys: replace annually as a default, regardless of visible condition

Quality body-safe silicone toys last 5–10+ years with good care. Quality motorised toys typically last 3–5 years before battery degradation makes them weaker.

Toy care FAQ

How often should I clean my sex toys?

Before first use and after every single use. There's no shortcut — even short solo sessions transfer fluids and bacteria to the toy surface. Cleaning takes 60 seconds and prevents most hygiene issues.

Can you boil all sex toys?

No — only 100% silicone, glass, or stainless steel toys that don't have motors or batteries. Motorised toys (any vibrator), porous-material toys (TPE, PVC, jelly), and toys with plastic components in the heat path will be damaged or destroyed by boiling.

What's the best soap for cleaning sex toys?

Mild fragrance-free soap (Dove sensitive, basic Castile soap) or a dedicated silicone-safe toy cleaner. Avoid antibacterial hand soap, scented body wash, or anything with strong fragrance or moisturising agents — these can leave residue or irritate sensitive tissue on next use.

Can I use baby wipes to clean my sex toys?

For a quick wipe between uses (especially mid-session), unscented baby wipes are fine — they're designed for sensitive skin. They're not a substitute for proper washing afterwards, just a useful in-the-moment option.

What lubricant should I use with silicone toys?

Water-based lubricant. Always. Silicone-based lube reacts with silicone toy surfaces over time and degrades them — even formulations marketed as "silicone-safe" for toys aren't truly safe long-term. Stick to water-based.

How do I clean a vibrator that isn't waterproof?

Wipe the surface with a barely-damp cloth using mild soap, then a damp clean cloth, then dry. Keep all moisture away from the charging port. Don't run the toy under water if it's not IPX7-rated — you'll kill the motor.

Can I share a sex toy with a partner?

Yes, with proper hygiene. Either use a fresh condom over the toy between users, or fully sterilise between uses. For penetrative toys especially, never switch between anal and vaginal use without sterilising or changing the condom — the bacterial transfer is significant.

How long do sex toys last?

Quality body-safe silicone non-motorised toys: 5–10+ years with good care. Quality motorised toys: 3–5 years before battery degradation. Porous TPE / jelly / PVC toys: replace annually as a hygiene baseline regardless of visible condition.

What's the difference between waterproof and splash-proof?

Waterproof (IPX7 or higher) toys can be submerged briefly under water for cleaning or used in baths and showers. Splash-proof toys can handle a damp cloth or light rinse but shouldn't be submerged — water will reach the motor or battery. Check the toy's IPX rating before risking it.

Can I clean sex toys with vinegar?

Diluted white vinegar (1 part vinegar to 4 parts water) can be used to clean glass and stainless steel toys, but it's not enough for sterilisation. Use boiling, dishwasher, or bleach for full sterilisation. Don't use vinegar on silicone — it can affect the surface over time.

Where to find what you need

Naughty Hut stocks a complete range of body-safe sex toys across every category in this guide — every product material-labelled so you know exactly what you're working with. Browse female sex toys for the full female range, or jump to specific categories: clitoral toys, G-spot vibrators, kegel balls, dilators, nipple toys, and vibrating panties. For toy cleaners and water-based lubricants, see our lubes and essentials collection. Every order ships discreetly from our NZ warehouse with same/next-day dispatch and our cheapest-prices-in-NZ price-match guarantee.

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