Cleaning and Storing Your Toys: A Care Guide

Cleaning gets treated as an afterthought, but it's the single biggest factor in how long a toy lasts and how safe it is to keep using — especially for anything that's shared or used internally.

Clean after every use, not just occasionally

Warm water and a mild, unscented soap (or a toy cleaner formulated for the job) is enough for most non-porous materials. Rinse thoroughly — leftover soap residue can irritate skin on the next use. Do this before the toy goes back in its bag or drawer, not the next time you reach for it.

Know what your material can handle

Medical-grade silicone, glass, and stainless steel can typically be boiled or run through the top rack of a dishwasher (unless there's a motor inside — check first). ABS plastic and anything electronic should stick to hand-washing with water only where the seams meet any circuitry.

Let it fully dry before storing

Trapped moisture is where bacteria and mold actually take hold, more so than the material itself. Air-dry on a clean towel rather than toweling off and immediately bagging it.

Store it separately

Two silicone toys touching in storage can bond to each other or degrade over time. A dedicated pouch or box — even just the one it came in — keeps toys from touching each other or picking up lint and dust.