How To: Clean and store your sex toys

While talking about all the exciting ways to use sex toys, remember: it's also equally important to talk about how to clean your sex toys, plus how to store them.

Sofie Roos, a licensed sexologist and expert with Passionerad, tells Bloomi, “If you clean your sex toys right away after using it, bacteria never get a chance to start growing.”

Whether you have a large or small collection or like to invest in expensive or more affordable toys, once you find your favorites, keep them in good shape for many years to come. To help, we’ve put together a true beginner's guide on how to clean your sex toys and how to store them afterward — you’ll thank us later.

The ultimate guide on how to clean your sex toys (and where to store them)

Why cleaning your sex toys is important

Cleaning your sex toys is a must — if you don’t clean them properly, it can have a serious impact on your health. After all, using unclean sex toys can introduce harmful bacteria and fungi into your sensitive microflora — regardless of your gender — and who wants that?

“If you leave a toy for some time (and in worst case scenario forget about it), you most likely won’t be able to clean bacteria away,” Roos explains, “In the worst-case scenario, an unclean sex toy can lead to infections and a disturbance in your PH balance if you use it.”

Aside from health risks, the life of your sex toys will dwindle if they’re not cleaned and stored properly. Luckily, cleaning sex toys can be simple and easy, you can even make it a fun ritual to spend time washing your toys after a sexy session.

How to clean sex toys: a guide for different types of sex toys

Looking to know how to clean your sex toys? That all depends on what material they are made from.

Silicone toys

Medical-grade silicone is a non-porous material — which means that it doesn't have microscopic holes (like pores in our skin) — that tend to hold bacteria and fungi. This makes silicone toys much safer to use and more hygienic, too. It also makes them much easier to clean.

You should clean your sex toys after each use, before you dry them, and store them away. If you want to go the extra mile, you could clean them before each use, but that is not always needed.

“A silicone toy, for example, should be washed more carefully in colder water and with a milder soup,” Roos says, “ Preferably, use a sex toy cleaner that is also a mild sanitizer, specifically made for sex toys. It's less harmful to the material and can help make them last longer!”

Metal and glass toys

If you have sex toys made of metal like stainless steel or gold, you should clean them after each use.

According to Roos, hard sex toys made out of metal or glass are very easy to clean. Just wash them under medium hot water with some soap, dry them off with a towel — try to not use paper towels since it will stick on the toy and you’ll need to peel it away later — and then use some alcohol sanitizer if you want to be on the extra safe side.

Hard plastic toys

Hard plastic toys can also be cleaned with a specialized sex toy cleaner, warm water and mild soap.

Porous materials

There are still sex toys that are made from porous materials that have small holes that harbor bacteria and fungi. While we recommend that it may be best to steer clear of toys like this, if you do have some, we know how to properly get them squeaky clean.

“In my opinion, it is best to wash porous toys twice, since bacteria is trickier to remove,” Roos says.

It’s simple: clean them with mild soap and water and then dry the toy with a soft and clean towel.

Why storing your sex toys properly is important

Aside from cleaning, how you store your sex toys can make a difference in their lifespan, too. Plus, if you keep them out in the open, they have a higher chance of collecting lint, dust, and bacteria (and we don’t want that!)

You can choose to keep your sex toys in the original packaging they come in, whether it's a box or a satin bag, but always keep them in a cool, dry, and dark place like your drawer or closet. If you don't have the original box and the toys don't come with a special storage bag, then you can simply wrap them in a lint-free material or a towel.

Sex toy storage recommendations

If you are looking for the perfect solution to storing your sex toys, we’ve got you! Here are some of the best sex toy storage recommendations that are discreet and practical:

Bloomi Tote Travel pouch

Bloomi's Tote Travel Pouch is the perfect discreet and practical storage solution for people who want something chic and cute. Made from a sustainable cotton canvas material with a waterproof liner, you can easily keep your essential lubes and arousal serums around, without worrying about spills.

It is large enough to fit everything you need and it’s also travel-friendly (so nobody will ever suspect what's inside.)