How to Clean and Store Adult Toys
Updated 7 October 2026 · 6 min read
Cleaning and storing personal wellness products properly keeps them comfortable to use and helps them last longer. This guide covers what to use, what to avoid, and how to store everything discreetly.
Clean Before First Use and After Every Use
Give any new product a full clean before its first use. Manufacturing, packing and shipping all leave residue on surfaces, and a quick wash removes it. After that, clean the product after every use, before it goes back into storage.
If you are sharing a product, clean it between users as well. Cleaning is about comfort and hygiene, not about the product being damaged by water, so it is worth making part of your routine.
Which Cleaner to Use, and What to Avoid
A dedicated toy cleaner is the simplest option: spray or apply, leave it for the time stated on the bottle, then wipe or rinse as directed. Mild, unscented soap with warm water also works for most body-safe materials.
Avoid anything harsh. Alcohol, petrol-based solvents, disinfectant sprays, and heavily perfumed soaps can break down soft silicone-style finishes and leave residue behind. Check the care instructions supplied with your product before trying a new cleaner.
- Use: a dedicated toy cleaner, or mild unscented soap with warm water.
- Avoid: alcohol, solvents, disinfectant sprays and heavily perfumed soaps.
- Never boil, microwave or dishwasher-clean a product unless the manufacturer explicitly states it is safe.
Cleaning Rechargeable, Waterproof and Suction-Base Products
For rechargeable products, unplug the charging cable first and keep the charging port and any control panel away from running water. Models described as waterproof can usually be rinsed, but the charging port still needs to be dry before it goes back on charge.
Suction-base products collect dust and lint on the base, so wipe the base as well as the body. If your product has removable sleeves or attachments, check whether they can be washed separately and follow the stated method.
How to Dry and Store Your Products Discreetly
Drying matters as much as cleaning. Moisture trapped in a closed drawer encourages bacteria and can damage electronics, so pat every surface dry with a clean, lint-free cloth and let the product air dry fully before putting it away.
Store products individually in a clean, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. A fabric storage pouch or a plain lidded box keeps dust off the surface and keeps items separate, which also prevents silicone-style finishes from touching each other for long periods.
If you need to store something out of sight, an unmarked box in a wardrobe works well. Avoid leaving rechargeable products on charge for long periods, and check the battery before you need it.
Common questions
How often should I clean a personal wellness product?
Before the first use and after every use. If a product is shared, clean it between users as well.
Can I just use soap and water?
Mild, unscented soap with warm water works for most body-safe materials. A dedicated toy cleaner is easier because it is formulated for these surfaces.
How do I clean a rechargeable product?
Unplug it first, keep the charging port and controls away from running water, and make sure the port is completely dry before charging again.
How should I store products?
Dry them fully, then store each one separately in a clean, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. A pouch or plain lidded box works well.
Can products be shared?
Many can be, provided they are cleaned thoroughly between users. Products with hygiene seals should be inspected before first use.
