How to Clean, Dry, and Store Sex Toys (and When to Replace Them)

Cleaning a toy takes a few minutes, and it makes a real difference to both your health and how long the toy lasts. The right method depends mostly on one thing: whether the material is porous or non-porous. This guide explains that difference, then walks through washing, drying, storing, replacing, and traveling with toys. It draws on clinical guidance, a peer-reviewed study on toy hygiene, and the care instructions of Japanese manufacturers TENGA and iroha.

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Porous vs non-porous: the key difference

A porous material has tiny openings in its surface that can hold moisture, lube, and bacteria. A non-porous material has a closed surface that can be cleaned thoroughly. Clinical guidance for doctors notes that non-porous materials, such as medical-grade silicone and hypoallergenic metals, "are more effectively disinfected than porous materials," such as inexpensive rubber polymers (Judge, NEJM Journal Watch, 2019).

Why this matters: in a small study published in Sexually Transmitted Infections, researchers swabbed two vibrators after use, after cleaning, and 24 hours later. On the TPE vibrator, HPV DNA was still found on 40% of the samples that tested positive right after cleaning, 24 hours later. On the silicone vibrator, none were positive at 24 hours (Anderson et al., 2014). The study was small, but it supports a simple rule: porous toys need careful cleaning, and they should not be shared.

Step 1: Wash right after use

Clinical guidance says that cleaning with soap and water after each use removes discharge and debris (Judge, 2019). A routine that matches TENGA's and iroha's instructions:

1. Wash as soon as you can, before lube and fluids dry.
2. Use cool or lukewarm water. TENGA's manuals say "cold or tepid," and TENGA Japan warns that water above about 50°C (122°F) and long soaking can damage its products.
3. Use a mild, unscented soap or a toy cleaner. TENGA and iroha both warn against alcohol and strongly acidic or alkaline cleaners, which can damage the surface.
4. Clean with your fingertips. Do not scrub with nails or abrasive sponges, which can scratch soft materials.
5. Rinse until all soap is gone.

Sleeves: run water through the opening, work in a little soap, and rinse thoroughly. Open-ended or clamshell designs are easiest. Only turn a sleeve inside out if the maker allows it; TENGA warns that doing so damages the coil in its SPINNER.

Vibrators and electronics: only rinse under running water if the product is rated waterproof. Current iroha models are waterproof to 50 cm (about 20 inches). Older models or "splash-proof" items should be wiped, not rinsed. Close any charging port covers first.

What about boiling, bleach, or alcohol?

Clinical guidance notes that non-porous toys can be disinfected, for example by soaking in diluted household bleach (0.5% sodium hypochlorite) for 3 minutes or 70% isopropyl alcohol for 5 minutes (Judge, 2019). However, manufacturer instructions come first. iroha's FAQ says not to boil its products and not to use alcohol, because this can damage the soft outer layer. Toys with motors or batteries should never be boiled. Porous materials such as TPE cannot be reliably disinfected and are damaged by alcohol and heat. For a toy only you use, thorough soap-and-water cleaning plus complete drying is the routine most makers recommend.

Step 2: Dry completely

Moisture left inside a toy, especially inside a sleeve, can lead to smells, mold, and bacterial growth.

• Pat the outside dry with a clean, lint-free towel.
• For sleeves, soak up water inside with rolled paper towel or an absorbent drying stick, then stand the sleeve opening-down or on its drying stand. TENGA's SPINNER, PUFFY, GEO, and FLIP ZERO include stands or cases designed for this.
• Air-dry in a well-ventilated place until fully dry inside. TENGA's manuals say to make sure a product is "completely dry before storing."
• Do not use a hair dryer, heater, or direct sunlight. Heat and UV light can deform or degrade soft materials.

TPE sleeves can feel sticky after many washes. Some Japanese manufacturers suggest a light dusting of baby powder or a dedicated renewal powder on the outside once fully dry. Follow the maker's advice on whether to use powder at all.

Step 3: Store it properly

• Store each toy separately, in a cloth bag or its own case. Soft materials can react with other plastics or toys and become discolored or deformed.
• Choose a cool, dry, dark place. Avoid windowsills, hot cars, and steamy bathrooms.
• Do not seal a damp toy in an airtight bag.
• Remove batteries from toys you will not use for a while. For rechargeable toys, follow the manual on charging before long storage.
• Place heavy sleeves so nothing presses on them, which keeps them from deforming.

When to replace a toy

There is no fixed number of uses. TENGA notes that lifespan depends on how a product is used, which lube is used, and how it is cleaned and stored. Replace a toy if you notice:

• Tears, cracks, or splits, even small ones
• Stains, dark spots, or mold that do not wash out
• A smell that remains after washing and drying
• A surface that is sticky, oily, cloudy, or rough
• Material that has hardened, stretched, or lost its shape
• For electronics: swelling, overheating, or a charging fault

Damaged surfaces are harder to clean and can trap bacteria. Do not patch a damaged toy with glue or tape. Single-use items should always be thrown away after one use, even if they look fine.

Traveling with toys and lube

Airport security (US). The TSA's "What Can I Bring?" list allows massagers in both carry-on and checked bags, with the final decision up to the TSA officer. Toys may be inspected, so pack them in a clean bag that is easy to open.

Batteries. The FAA says devices with lithium-ion batteries should be carried in carry-on baggage. If one goes in a checked bag, it must be fully powered off and protected from accidental activation. Spare lithium batteries must always be in your carry-on. A travel lock (if your toy has one) or removing standard AA/AAA batteries prevents a toy from switching on in your bag.

Lube. Under the TSA's liquids rule, gels and liquids in your carry-on must be in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less, inside one quart-sized bag. Larger bottles go in checked bags. Single-use sachets are convenient.

Discretion. Small, plain-looking items help. For example, the iroha stick is shaped like a lipstick and comes with a cap, and the POCKET TENGA comes in a flat pouch that reseals for disposal. A cloth pouch, a small towel, and a few sachets of water-based lube make a simple travel kit.

Rules differ by country and airline. Check your airline and destination before you fly.

A one-minute routine

1. Wash right away with lukewarm water and mild soap.
2. Rinse well.
3. Pat dry, then air-dry completely, away from heat.
4. Store separately in a cool, dark place.
5. Check for damage before each use.

Last reviewed: October 1, 2026

References

• Judge DE (2019). A Clinician's Guide to Sexual Devices: What We Didn't Learn in School. NEJM Journal Watch
• Anderson TA, Schick V, Herbenick D, et al. (2014). A study of human papillomavirus on vaginally inserted sex toys, before and after cleaning. Sexually Transmitted Infections 90(7):529-531
• TENGA AIR-TECH User Manual (English PDF)
• TENGA Store USA: SPINNER 01 TETRA (care)
• TENGA Japan: How to wash and dry reusable TENGA products (Japanese)
• iroha FAQ: washing and lubricants
• iroha FAQ: iroha mini (water resistance and washing)
• Daimaoh: Handling instructions for original onaholes, including powder and storage (Japanese)
• TSA: What Can I Bring? Massagers
• TSA: Liquids, Aerosols, and Gels Rule
• FAA PackSafe: Portable Electronic Devices Containing Batteries