Read·Reflect·Connect
How To Clean Your Sex Toys
The quick version
- Cleaning your marital aids isn't optional — it protects your health, your toys, and even your warranty.
- The simple rhythm: read the manual, rinse, use a proper toy cleaner, dry completely, then store with care.
- Wash before and after every use, keep moisture away from anything electronic, and never switch a toy between different kinds of play without disinfecting first.
For many couples, a new bedroom accessory enters the marriage as a gift — a small, hopeful step toward trying something fresh together. With so many products to choose from, simply picking the right one can feel like an undertaking. So once it's in your hands, it's worth learning the one habit that helps your toys (and your joy) last: keeping them clean.
Intimacy between a husband and wife is a beautiful, God-given gift. But like anything used lovingly and often, these devices need tending afterward. If you're going to welcome them into your marriage bed, a few minutes of care will keep every moment safe, pleasant, and worry-free.
Why cleanliness really matters
It's easy to assume that washing a toy is a nice extra rather than a necessity. It isn't. Some manufacturers won't even honor a warranty if a product has clearly been neglected. More importantly, good hygiene protects the two people who matter most.
Here are five honest reasons not to skip this step before tucking your toys away:
Body fluids leave residue
What's left behind dries into a film on the surface of a device — and once it hardens, it's far harder to remove.
Unclean surfaces invite infection
Lingering bacteria can lead to irritation or discomfort that's entirely avoidable with a quick wash.
Grime breaks down materials
Depending on what a toy is made of, residue and certain substances can actually degrade it over time, shortening its life.
Buildup affects your lubricant
Lubricant can't glide properly across a surface coated in dust and bacteria — it simply won't perform the way it should.
Neglect produces odor
Body fluids are organic, so anything left behind eventually breaks down and develops an unpleasant smell.
Intimacy is meant to draw a couple closer, never to cause regret. A little attention here keeps the experience pure in every sense — and keeps anyone from getting hurt.
How to clean your toys in 5 easy steps
The good news: this is genuinely simple. It asks for a little patience and attention to detail, but the care you put in returns to you many times over. Here's the routine:
Read the owner's manual
No two toys are alike, so they don't all call for the same care. Some have special instructions worth knowing. Always check what the maker recommends before anything else.
Rinse with warm tap water
A warm rinse clears away larger debris and surface dust. It isn't enough on its own to stop bacteria — so don't stop here — but it's the right first move. Make sure your water runs fresh and clean.
Use a dedicated toy cleaner
Read the label to confirm it's compatible with your device's materials, then apply it generously to every groove and seam. Wipe it away or let it sit as the directions instruct.
Let it dry completely
Never store a toy that's still damp. Letting every trace of moisture evaporate keeps bacteria from settling in — and gives you a chance to inspect the device for any new wear or damage.
Refresh and protect the surface
Many higher-end toys benefit from a renewing powder made for their silicone, rubber, or polycarbonate parts. Even when it isn't strictly required, a light application helps shield the material from dust and environmental wear.
You can own the finest products available and still run into trouble if you skip the wash. Honestly, cleaning a toy well is often easier than learning to use it — and it's the part that keeps everything enjoyable, session after session.
Pro tips for proper care
A quick rinse or a splash of cleaner is a start, but lasting enjoyment comes from how you finish. A few habits make all the difference:
- Store smart. Keep your toys in a clean, dry spot away from direct sunlight and away from very hot or very cold temperatures.
- Clean both before and after. Don't assume an earlier wash kept dust and pollutants off the surface between sessions — a quick freshen-up beforehand is wise.
- Mind the air. The air quality of a storage space can quietly affect the performance of electronic toys, so choose where you keep them with a little thought.
The dos and don'ts
Manufacturer instructions always come first, but a few practical truths tend to get left out of casual conversation. Keep these in mind:
Water and electricity don't mix
If a toy can be washed without full submersion, take it apart first, clean the pieces, and let them dry separately before reassembling.
Skip the abrasives
Scrubbing or scraping a surface makes a toy harder to clean and less safe to use. Deep scratches can even keep some devices from working at all.
Avoid high-traffic storage
Toys kept in busy areas of the home collect more dust and debris — and they're easier for others to stumble upon, which is never ideal.
Remember warranties expire
Register any product guarantee within 30 days of purchase. That way, if something goes wrong, you can have the device repaired or replaced at no extra cost.
Disinfect when switching uses
Certain kinds of play call for extra care. If a device is used for one purpose, it must be thoroughly disinfected before being used in another. When in doubt, clean more — never less.
Try this: Keep a bottle of dedicated toy cleaner and a soft, lint-free cloth tucked beside your storage so the whole routine takes only a minute. Pairing your cleaner with the right storage container makes good habits effortless.
From our store
Keep things fresh and safe
Proper care keeps your toys safe and lasting longer. Browse our toy cleaners and care essentials.
Shop Toy CareA gentle encouragement
There's still an unspoken hush around these things, even among happily married couples. But caring for the gifts that bless your marriage is nothing to be embarrassed about — it's simply part of loving each other well. Wash before and after each use, reach for a quality cleaner to clear away anything unwanted, let everything dry in fresh air, and store it thoughtfully until next time.
Tend to the small things, and you're free to delight in the bigger ones — to enjoy your spouse fully, with a clear conscience and a glad heart.
Keep God at the center
Before you bring home a new toy, try a new activity, or step into a new situation together, take a quiet minute to pray over it as husband and wife. Thank God for the gift of one another, ask Him to guard your hearts and draw you closer, and invite Him into this part of your marriage too. Intimacy between a husband and wife is part of God’s own design — keeping Him at the center is what makes it whole.
A quick note: Romantic Blessings isn’t a medical provider, therapist, or licensed health professional, and these guides are shared for general education and encouragement only — not as medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. Every couple is different, so use your own judgment, go at a pace you’re both comfortable with, and stop if anything hurts. If you have any health concerns, pain, or ongoing difficulty with intimacy, please speak with a qualified doctor or licensed professional.
Products to explore
Dr. Laura Berman Universal Toy Cleaner 6.28 oz
$9.95
JO Refresh Foaming Toy Cleaner Fragrance Free
$10.95
Before & After Anti-Bacterial Toy Cleaner Clean Fresh Fragrance
$17.95
JO Misting Toy Cleaner Fresh Scent 4 Ounce Spray
$11.95
Written with love by the Romantic Blessings team to help married couples explore intimacy thoughtfully and joyfully. Questions? We’re only an email away.
