13 Sex Toy Cleaners That’ll Have Your Vibrators and Dildos Feeling Like New
Yep, there are cleaners specifically designed for sex toys. And yes, you need one.
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As tempting as it might be to throw your vibrator back into your nightstand drawer after it has dutifully done its job of giving you a top notch orgasm, mentally promising yourself you’ll “clean it later,” listen to us: Don’t wait. We get it, we really do—you’re riding the highs of your orgasm, reveling in the delightful cocktail of post-O brain chemicals that are making you too relaxed to think, much less worry, about the bacteria that’s accumulating on your precious vibe. But much like you get up to pee right after sex to avoid getting a UTI, so, too, should you get up and clean your sex toys. Trust us, it’s worth it.
“When you use toys, they get gunk on them—bacteria, to be specific. If you don't clean your sex toys properly after every use, you can wind up with a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, or another infection,” says certified sexologist, Gigi Engle, sex expert for 3Fun. “Using unclean sex toys can also increase the risk of spreading STIs. Basically, it's just very gross and we should be cleaning anything that has made contact with our intimate body parts to ensure proper hygiene.”
Plus, not cleaning your sex toys can cause them to deteriorate, and when you’ve spent a pretty penny on a nice vibe, that’s the last thing you want. “They can get buildup on them, which can cause toys to work less effectively,” says Engle. No thank you.
The good news is, you don’t have to soak your sex toys in boiling water or give them an entire bath to make them squeaky clean. There are dozens of sex toy cleaners on the market that make the whole process easy-breezy—all it takes is a few spritzes and wipe-down. Make sure you’re using something that’s alcohol-free, since alcohol can leave a residue that “can cause drying for both the toy's materials and your vulva or anus,” says Engle, who recommends sticking to water-based cleaners that break down more easily and don’t leave a lot of residue on your products.
Our top picks for sex-toy cleaners in 2023:
Ahead, all the best-sex toy cleaners for keeping your vibes and dildos squeaky clean before you store them away, including sprays, wipes, UV, and foaming options. Plus, all the expert tips for selecting the right one.
Zalo Cleaning Spray
Pros
- comes in a gorgeous gold, discreet bottle
- doubles as a hand sanitizer
Cons
- lime and orange blossom fragrance might linger
Zalo's Cleaning Spray comes in a gorg gold spritz bottle that you can keep on your vanity and no one would know the difference. It's made without harsh chemicals, smells divine, and doubles as a hand sanitizer. Just spritz it on the surface of your toys for five seconds, then rinse with water and pat dry.
Glowing Review: "Love it."
Lovehoney Fresh Toy Cleaner
Pros
- TSA-friendly for travel
- Vegan
Cons
- Some say it's not worth it for the price
For a basic, no-frills cleaner, look no further than this one from Lovehoney. It's vegan and free of harsh ingredients, and comes in a TSA-friendly 3.4 oz bottle for a grab-and-go experience. You can even stuff it in your purse for on-the-go O's!
Glowing Review: "It’s so easy, and if you're like me and don’t like doing anything after, really I recommend this."
Jo Misting Toy Cleaner
Pros
- Comes with a 30-day guarantee. If you're not satisfied, JO will replace or refund the product.
- Paraben- and triclosan-free
- Fresh, natural scent
Cons
- A smidge on the pricier side at $14 for 4 oz.
Jo's Misting Toy Cleaner is paraben- and triclosan-free, gentle, and safe for toys and skin. All you have to do is let it sit on your toy for 60 seconds, then wipe down.
Dame Hand + Vibe Cleaner
Pros
- doesn’t need to be rinsed off with water
Cons
- some wish it came in a bigger size
Clinically proven to kill 99.9 percent of germs, this sanitizer from Dame can be spritzed on your hands or toys—no water needed! Reviewers love that it’s vegan, paraben-free, and glycerin-free and that it leaves behind a sweet orange scent (not to mention that it’s safe to use on all toys and totally discreet).
Glowing Review: “I’m pretty lazy when it comes to cleaning my toys, so this is amazing! It is so easy to just spray it a couple times and wipe off the residue. Smells great too!”
Pros
- Doesn't need water to work
- Safe to use with most toy materials
Cons
- If you want something with fragrance, opt for a different cleaner.
PinkCherry's Anti-Bacterial Misting Cleanser is simple but does the job. It's safe to use with most toy materials (including latex, rubber, silicone, plastic, glass and elastomer) and reviewers say it doesn't leave any weird residues or smells.
Glowing Review: "I love this toy cleaner as I'm on my third bottle. It's easy to use, cleans EVERYTHING up with no residue for the next sublime good time."
Wicked Sensual Care Foam & Fresh Toy Cleaner
Pros
- Alcohol- and paraben-free
- Contains a blend of natural antimicrobial and antiseptic elements, including tea tree and eucalyptus oils
Cons
- A little on the pricier side at $15, but you *do* get 7 whole ounces
This anti-bacterial foaming cleanser contains benzalkonium chloride and other ingredients that clean deep, but it also boasts tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender, and rosemary oils for an all-natural boost that also smells divine.
#ToyLife Misting Toy Cleaner
Pros
- free from parabens, alcohol, and sulfates
Cons
- some found the scent too strong
This misting formula from #ToyLife has more than 7,500 5-star reviews—and for good reason: It really does work. It’s water based and made with all-natural ingredients, so you can use it on all your toys without worrying about damage, and although it’s gentle, it still works to kill 99.9 percent of germs.
Glowing Review: “This stuff smells great and is easy to spray on and wash all of your toys. It is very mild so you don’t need to worry about damage to any of your toys and doesn’t leave any residue like some other cleaners can. I completely recommend this!”
LELO Premium Cleaning Spray
Pros
- takes just five seconds to become active
Cons
- some wish it came in a bigger size
If you want a toy cleaner you can take on the go, then this fast-acting formula from luxury sex-toy brand Lelo is calling your name. Reviewers love that it’s pH-balanced, alcohol- and silicone-free, and amazingly discreet, especially since the bottle is only two ounces.
Glowing Review: “This spray gets the job done, and it has a pleasant smell. It’s gentle on toys, and (I’ve only gotten it on my hands while cleaning) gentle on skin. I have several Lelo toys and I can’t believe I didn’t buy this when I bought my first—it is a must-have when using higher-end toys like Lelo’s. The small amount will go a long way as well!”
Cake Toy Cleaner
Pros
- washes clean without any residue or scent
Cons
- a bit pricey for the size
Another travel-size option: this foaming cleanser from Cake. Skin-friendly, fragrance-free, and made without parabens or triclosan, this formula is designed to vanquish bacteria and get your toys squeaky clean in no time. You’ll also love that it’s safe to use on any toy material, including silicone, glass, and metal.
Glowing Review: “This adult-toy cleaner from Cake is really impressive. It is a small container but it utilizes a nice gentle foam to deeply clean your adult toys. The dispenser works really well and you need just a small amount to work out a good and deep lather.”
Lovehoney Fresh Toy and Body Wipes
Pros
- can be used on both toys and bodies
Cons
- only 25 wipes in each pack
Want a toy cleaner that does double duty? Try these gentle, biodegradable wipes from Lovehoney. Made with skin-soothing aloe extract and free from parabens, these wipes can be used on both toys and your most intimate areas—and since the pack is resealable, you don’t have to worry about these wipes drying out.
Glowing Review: “Even when things get messy with our toy, these things clean us up so easy and leave behind little to no residue at all. They’re woven tighter and with longer fibers than an average baby/vaginal wipe, so they don’t tear easily or leave behind fibers. They clean off lube like a rock star and they’re in super-cute packaging.”
Intimate Earth Green Foaming Toy Cleaner
Pros
- won’t dry out or damage your skin or toys
Cons
- leaves behind light tea tree scent, which isn’t for everyone
Similar to Lora DiCarlo’s formula, this foaming cleanser from Intimate Earth uses tea tree oil and guava bark to clean your toys rather than alcohol, parabens, triclosan, or other harsh chemicals. It works with all types of materials, and it’ll leave both your toys and your hands feeling good as new.
Glowing Review: “The foaming of the cleaner is great, and the pump is easy to use and works every time. Cleaner smells nice [and] doesn’t leave behind any residue. Would definitely get again!”
Sliquid Shine Intimate Toy Cleaner
Pros
- won’t irritate sensitive skin
Cons
- not everyone is a fan of the scent
Another all-natural toy cleaner that gets sh*t done: this spray formula from Sliquid. It’s totally free from glycerin, parabens, alcohol, triclosan, and other harsh chemicals, and it instead contains body-safe cleansing agents like tea tree oil and castor oil, which have natural antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Glowing Review: “Great product that utilizes tea tree oil as a cleanser. Mild, gentle, doesn’t leave a residue. Great for products that can’t be submersed for cleaning. If you are sensitive at all, this is the cleaner for you.”
UVee Puritize Home UV Light Sanitizer
Pros
- charges, cleans, and stores toys all at once
Cons
- some had issues with the key code lock
Is it cheap? Lol, no. But this genius invention does use a germicidal UVC light system to kill 99.9 percent of all germs on toys in 10 minutes or less, and it’s SO easy to use. Plus, this bb also charges and stores multiple sex toys at the same time, and it can be used to clean phones or other devices that need sanitizing.
Glowing Review: “I love my UVee. It is super simple to set up and use. I also really appreciate the USB ports inside; it’s a great feature! To top it all off, the unit itself looks sleek and modern. It is actually attractive enough and subtly labeled enough to allow me to keep it on top of the dresser. I can’t recommend UVee highly enough.”
Why Should You Use a Sex-Toy Cleaner?
Ya, it’s not super sexy to think about, but your toys can (and will!) accumulate lots of lube, bacteria, and bodily fluids if you’re not keeping ’em clean, even if you’re using them just to masturbate. And according to Engle, it’s even more important to keep things sanitized when you use toys made with porous materials (such as PVC, elastomer, and jelly rubber)—unless, ofc, you like yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis.
“Clean sex toys are also among the strongest pillars of a safe and healthy sex life,” says sex and relationships advisor for Peaches and Screams, Barbara Santini. “Sex toys require high hygienic standards to keep away infections, including STIs. Cleaning also helps keep them in good shape for future use.” Washing sex toys before you use them is also a good idea because they can accumulate dust and dirt while sitting in your drawers, which can majorly throw off your vaginal pH.
Side note: Because it’s so important to keep your toys clean, it’s better to steer clear of toys made with porous materials altogether, since they’re pretty much impossible to fully sanitize (not to mention they may contain toxic chemicals called phthalates). Instead, Engle suggests looking for toys “made from body-safe or medical-grade silicone.” Glass, stainless steel, and hard plastic toys are also safe nonporous options.
How to Choose the Best Sex-Toy Cleaner
Simply rinsing off your toys isn’t going to get them as clean as you need them to be, which is why using a sex-toy cleaner is oh so important. And while Santini says you can use a fragrance-free, antibacterial soap with no added lotions to clean up your sex toys, a cleanser that’s specifically made for your pleasure products is your safest bet. The material of your toy will determine how you should wash it, but generally speaking, you should keep these things in mind when shopping for sex-toy cleaners:
Choose a Water-Based Formula
Just like with lube, a water-based sex-toy cleaner is your best bet, since oil-based and silicone-based cleaners are known to break down silicone (which is a material used in TONS of sex toys). “Since sex toys are crafted from various materials, be careful with the cleaner you choose to avoid compromising the durability of your pleasure product,” Santini says. “If you settle on silicone sex toys, you will want to work with liquid soaps or water-based toy cleaners.”
Avoid Benzyl Alcohol
Also known as benzene methanol or phenylcarbinol, benzyl alcohol is a preservative found in many skincare, cosmetic, and personal products, and while it’s generally safe for topical use, Santini says it can trigger irritation in vaginas. It’s also a good idea to skip anything with fragrance, parabens, and triclosan (which is an antimicrobial agent that potentially poses health risks).
Figure Out Your Priorities
Do you want a sex-toy cleaner that doubles as a body cleanser? Would you rather a cleaner you can spritz on without having to rinse off? Want something you can take on the go or a giant bottle that’ll last you a while? Determining the answers to these questions will help you decide on the best sex-toy cleaner for your needs, whether it’s a foam, a spray, a wipe, or a UV cleaner.
How We Chose Our Best Sex-Toy Cleaners
While there are a LOT of different sex-toy cleaners out there, we’ve only included formulas that are effective, body safe, and hiiighly rated by some very happy customers. We’ve also included products in a variety of forms and price points, so you can decide what works best for you. And you better believe we test many of the brands IRL so you don’t have to. You’re welcome!!
Meet the Experts
- Barbara Santini is a psychologist based in London as well as a sex and relationship adviser for Dimepiece LA and Peaches and Screams.
- Gigi Engle, ACS, is a certified sexologist for 3Fun and the author of All the F*cking Mistakes: A Guide to Sex, Love, and Life.
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