Below, We've rounded up the best sex toy cleaners worth investing in to ensure you're using your toys in the safest and healthiest way possible.

If you're looking for a gadget to help you with your cleaning process, there are two UV sterilizers on the market: UVee and b-Vibe UV Sterilizer Pouch. Finn calls both products amazing, but here's a caveat: While they disinfect, they don't clean.Many cleaning solutions have a harsh smell, which can be difficult to work with when you’re cleaning. Opt for scent-free toy cleaners or those that use natural fragrances such as lavender. Hard plastic, elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer (TPR), or jelly rubber: These porous materials can still contain bacteria after washing with soap and water. So, use a condom if you're going to share with a partner, advises Kerr (more on that below). Silicone, Pyrex, stainless steel, or stone—and it's not motorized: For a deeper clean, place it in boiling water for eight to 10 minutes, or run it through the dishwasher without soap. (Seriously, the hot steam will help sterilize it, says Kerr.)

If you're considering washing your toys in the dishwasher, know that dish soap can leave a residue — which is why Finn doesn't recommend it. Non-motorized toys made of silicone, glass, or stainless steel can be placed in the dishwasher without soap for 5 to 10 minutes, according to Mintz. What about cleaning sex toys with UV light?If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that we should all try to be more mindful about sanitization — especially when it comes to the most sensitive areas of your body. While it may not seem sexy, cleaning your sex toys can just be another (perhaps the last) step when you masturbate or play with a partner. Just as you wash your body after sex and rigorously wash your hands after…well, touching anything, cleaning sex toys is crucial to being as safe and healthy as possible. Focus on water-based cleaners; oil-based and silicone-based cleaners are no-nos since they're known to break down silicone. So, steer clear of those to keep your fave toy intact. Can I clean my sex toys with just soap and water? Yes, you can, but they're really best used in combination with other methods. "Post play wipes are great intermediate cleaning if you don’t have a cleaner or running water on hand," said Fretz, "but you’ll want to fully disinfect it with an anti-bacterial cleaner or soap and water as soon as you can." How often should I clean my sex toys? One way to decrease that risk of an infection is to actually use a condom with your sex toy. "Using a condom can help decrease the risk of transmitting bacteria, especially when sharing toys between partners," says Fine. "You’ll just want to make sure you use a condom-safe lube." (Translation: one that's water-based.) Keeping them clean is all about storage.

I get it—thinking about cleaning your sex toys might not be the most pleasant thought. Sex, whether solo or with a partner, is your time to let the stresses of daily life melt away. But if you want sex toys to be a part of that clear-your-mind time—and if you want those sex toys to have good life spans—you’re going to have to clean them properly and regularly. Plus, there’s a chance that poor sex toy hygiene can actually cause infections; so yes, safe sex is also a thing to consider even when toys are involved. Here’s the right way to clean those toys. To figure out how to clean sex toys, you’ll need to know exactly what they’re made of. Furthermore, you'll want to find a clean space to store your clean sex toy. Not doing so would basically make washing them useless. It'd be like washing your hands only to cough into them seconds later; you'd have to rewash them. Many toys come with their own pouch, which is useful, but there are many other options available too. Many a vulva owner's first orgasm was produced by this baby,” sex educator Lola Jean tells Elite Daily. “The steady flow of water and pressure can lead to some excellent orgasms and pleasure because of the stimulation.” 2. Banana Peel Is your toy made of soda-lime glass? This kind of glass can be sensitive to temperature (which is part of why it can be so much fun during sexual play). Wash a soda-lime glass toy the same way you’d wash a latex or elastomer toy. There are many ways to incorporate ice cubes into sex. Try running a cube over your partner's body teasingly, not excessively (you’re not trying to recreate a polar plunge experience). It's a fun, innovative way to add a little something new to your foreplay routine. Additionally, ice cubes are also a great tool for oral sex.Viral illnesses aren’t the only germs to worry about either. Bath toys and other toys that get wet, such as toys in the pool or those played with outside, are usually full of bacteria and mold. As a result, you want to make sure you’re cleaning every single toy in the house to keep your kids safe. Using a sex toy immediately after a partner has used it is risky, too, explains Finn — especially if that partner has an STI or doesn't know their current STI status. "Using a sex toy covered in another person's bodily fluids puts you at risk of unwanted STI transmission," she says. Sure, sharing is caring…but only to an extent.