</p><p>Real talk: rinsing your sex toys with mild soap and water should be enough to keep them clean, according to our sex and relationships writer, <a href=”https://www.instagram.com/zacharyzane_/” target=”_blank”>Zachary Zane</a>. But if you’re looking for a heavy duty wash, the best sex toy cleaners worth buying contain antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, according to <a href=”https://hellocake.com/” target=”_blank”>Carrie Smith</a>, VP of Product Development and Manufacturing for Hello Cake. Sex toy cleaners typically come in two forms: spray or foam. Spray cleaners work well on larger toys, while a foaming cleaner is perfect for gadgets with lots of grooves and hidden crevices (like <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/a31294599/anal-beads/” target=”_blank”>anal beads</a> and <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/g22531538/best-prostate-massagers/” target=”_blank”>prostate massagers</a>). Plus, there are other great options like a UV sterilizer and cleansing wipes that work for all materials.</p><p>Ahead, we talked to a panel of sexperts and field tested a few sex toy cleaners to find the best ones that will help keep your prized rigs squeaky clean, after doing the dirty. </p><p><strong><a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/g32280642/best-cock-rings/” target=”_blank”>Best Cock Rings</a> | <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/g44039119/best-sex-blankets/” target=”_blank”>Best Sex Blankets</a> | <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/g28710167/best-sex-toys-for-couples/” target=”_blank”>Best Sex Toys for Couples</a> | <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/g21749756/best-male-sex-toys-masturbators/” target=”_blank”>Best Male Masturbators</a> | <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/a24845438/clit-sucking-vibrators/” target=”_blank”>Best Clit-Sucking Vibrators</a> | <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/a39357256/best-vibrators-for-women/” target=”_blank”>Best Vibrators</a></strong></p>” />
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If you have sex toys made of silicone, rubber, or latex, this water-based spray can keep them squeaky clean before round 2. Free of alcohol, fragrance and parabens, means it’s genital-friendly. For the best clean—give it a quick spritz, rinse and wipe it dry.
What do buyers say? “I love the peace of mind this toy cleaning spray gives me,” says one lelo.com reviewer. “I know it won’t harm the silicone because it’s made especially for it and doesn’t contain alcohol. But I also know it will still sanitize my toys for safety.”
This is an all-around great choice to prep toys for future fun, according to Dr. Lehmiller. Because the spray has a water-based formula, it’s compatible with a wide range of toys, so you won’t need to swap out cleaners for different gadgets. Plus, it’s vegan- and travel-friendly.
What do buyers say? “It’s easy to use, gentle enough that my skin doesn’t get irritated while washing toys,” says one lovehoney.com reviewer. “But powerful enough that I feel my toys are squeaky clean and ready for their next use.”
One of our favorite lube makers, Hello Cake also has a cloud-like cleaning solution that kills bacteria before you get down and dirty. With ingredients such as zinc gluconate and benzalkonium chloride, it lathers and creates some bubble action for a deep cleanse. To keep your toy in good condition—soak for at least 60 seconds, wash it off and then allow it to air-dry.
“Comes out so foamy, clings to every crevice of my toys, and leaves them sparkling,” says one hellocake.com reviewer. “It’ll be a new staple on my shelf.”
Maude clean no. 0 Hydrating Hand and Vibe Sanitizing Spray
Maude clean no. 0 Hydrating Hand and Vibe Sanitizing Spray
Maude is known for their premium lineup of sexual wellness goods, which includes this hand sanitizer that doubles as a sex toy cleaner. This fast-acting formula kills 99.9% of germs—thanks to a blend of ethyl alcohol, water, glycerin, and coconut oil.
“Works great for cleanup and super easy to just keep by your bedside (or for travel),” says one getmaude.com reviewer.
Intimate Earth is keeping it natural with their foaming toy cleaner, featuring great-smelling ingredients like tea tree oil, lavender oil, and guava bark. Just make sure to remove all batteries and not wet any motors.
“Love this for toys, much better than trying to work with normal soap,” says one reviewer. “Not harsh, would recommend especially for people that might have sensitive systems.”
The b-Vibe Sterilizer Pouch is USB powered and uses UV light to disinfect your toy and kill 99% of germs in three minutes to help maintain your toys and keep them clean and safer for playtime. Also, it doubles as a neat (and TSA-approved) storage pouch to travel with any of your toys up to 10 inches long.
“You know how when you go to the dentist, they put the tools in that lightbox for sterilization? says Lisa Finn, a sex educator with Babeland. “This is that, but for sex toys–and a lot less cumbersome and obvious than wall-mounted machinery,”
Read more: Best Travel Gadgets
This trusty set of antibacterial wipes is convenient for cleaning yourself and your toys. That’s because its formula contains aloe vera juice and citric acid, which are gentle on sensitive skin and help remove odor and lube on most surfaces. Note: there’s a subtle scent of bergamot oils and natural deodorant, but the tissues have parabens, perfume, and glycerin.
“These wipes are great for a quick-fix toy cleaning by wiping away debris, bodily fluid, etc.,” says Finn.
In a couple squirts, this misting formula can really clean below the surface without diminishing the stability of your toys. And it’ll leave them looking and feeling good as new. The spray contains natural ingredients and carries a fresh, clean scent.
What do buyers say? On Amazon, more than 13,000 shoppers have raved about this product—averaging an impressive 4.7 stars. “Been using this toy cleaner for a few years and it’s by far my favorite for my sensitive skin,” says one reviewer. “Smells good, cleanses well and easy to spray.”
Babeland’s spray-on cleaner will blast away any dirt and grim ahead of your next sex session. It’s formulated with purified water and phospholipids to prevent potential bacteria growth. However, it does acquire fragrance and preservatives, which may not be great for people with sensitive skin. As for the price? A steal.
“I have purchased this several times and have always been happy with it,” says one Babeland.com reviewer. “It is especially handy when you are not able to wash toys right away.”
An at-home remedy that will help clean up the act is an unscented bar soap and warm water. While it’s not quite advertised as a toy cleaner, Dove Sensitive Skin is effective, hypoallergenic and less irritating on your skin. Just make sure to wash all of it off.
“Unscented hand soap and warm water are the best options that most people have readily available in the house or can easily get,” says Javay Frye-Nekrasova, Lovehoney Sex Educator.
The multi-purpose hygienic cleaner is has a gentle-but-strong formula that’ll take care of any build-up on your toy. We’ve tested it on cock rings and prostate massagers, and we found that it removes residue and works on all surfaces including silicone, jelly, plastic (TPR/TPE), glass, metal, and stainless steel.
What do buyers say? “It breaks down the lube so it’s easy to wash off and leaves my toys feeling nice and clean for next time,” says one Amazon reviewer. “Definitely recommend it, I’ve used a few different brands of toy cleaners, this is my fave by far.”
Adam & Eve allows you to maintain the longevity of your toys with its gentle foam cleaner. This product helps deodorize, sanitize and disinfect safely on vibrators, strokers, anal toys, dildos, and everything else under the sun. You only need a little squirt to get your toy looking brand-spanking new again.
What do buyers say? “Convenient foam cleaner has an unobtrusive smell and leaves no sticky residue,” says one Amazon reviewer.
Looking for a quick scrub that blasts bacteria? System Jo will do the trick. Let a few pumps of the foaming formula to settle on the surface of your toy for a minute, before rinsing with warm water. Then use a microfiber towel to dry it off.
“This is the best toy cleaner there is out there, I promise you,” says one Amazon reviewer. “Cleans everything off with no effort and you don’t even have to use that much product.”
How To Choose the Best Sex Toy Cleaner
When buying a sex toy cleaner, make sure to consider the material of the toy you’re trying to clean.
Alcohol-based cleaners: If your sex toy is silicone, glass, or stainless steel, it will be compatible with most sex-toy cleansers including alcohol-based cleaners, according to Pam Scoca, Senior Manager of Product and Compliance at Maude.
If the toy is made of a plastic material, alcohol-based cleaners can potentially degrade the outer coating of the toy over time, Scoca say. To avoid erosion, wipe down your toy with a damp cloth after using your toy cleaner.
Generally, our experts recommend avoiding household cleaners— these contain materials that may degrade the material of your toys, and the residue may cause irritation. Our experts also said to avoid fragrances and undiluted bleach, which can be irritating to sensitive skin. Also, be cautious of trisclosan and parabens. These ingredients can be detrimental to your skin and toy, if not promptly rinsed off. If the cleaner is coming in contact with your body, you have to make sure it’s body-safe.
Benefits of Sex Toy Cleaners
Sex toys can accumulate a buildup of lube, bacteria, and bodily fluids, if you’re not cleaning them after having intercourse, or even masturbation. Using a sex toy cleaner helps stop the spread of germs, STIs and yeast infections. Not to mention, cleaning off your toys will ensure they last longer.
Many sex toy cleaners have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties over what can be found in regular soap and water. They are designed to not dry out toy materials and rinse away cleanly, so that no residue is left on the toy, according to Smith. Also, foam and spray-on toy cleaners are better to use on toys with motors that can’t be submerged in water.
Pro tip: keep a microfiber towel or washcloth handy to dry off your sex toy before putting it up.
How to Make a Sex Toy Cleaner at Home
Unless you’re a chemist, you probably won’t be making an at-home own toy cleaner. But, all of experts agree that cleaning your device with warm water and a mild soap is the most thorough cleaning method for water-proof and water-resistant toys.
For silicone, borosilicate glass, or stainless steel toys without any electronic components, boiling is the preferred method for disinfecting a toy as completely as possible.
How We Selected the Best Sex Toy Cleaners
We weighed our options based on formulas that are body safe, contain effective ingredients and work well against specific sex toy materials. Along with recommendations from experts, we read through customer reviews of the top-rated products.
Meet the Experts
Contributing writer
Joseph Cheatham covers grooming stories for Men’s Health. Previously, Cheatham was a commerce editor for Spy, where he wrote about fashion, lifestyle, and all-things skincare. He graduated with a B.A. in journalism from Howard University in 2016. When he’s not writing, he’s most likely doing one of three favorites: exercising, traveling, and trying new restaurants.
Jordyn Taylor is the Executive Digital Editor at Men’s Health. She is the co-author of ‘Best. Sex. Ever.: 200 Frank, Funny & Friendly Answers About Getting It On,’ and an adjunct professor at New York University’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She’s covered sex, relationships, health, wellness, and LGBTQ+ issues since 2013, and has previously worked as a reporter and editor at Mic and the New York Observer.
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