Clean your toy according to its manufacturer's directions before and after use. The right method depends on its material, construction and water resistance. A rechargeable vibrator and a solid glass dildo may need different care.
Read the care instructions first
Check whether the toy may be rinsed, submerged or only wiped. Splash-resistant is not the same as waterproof. Keep charging ports, battery compartments and electrical parts dry as directed, and never clean a powered toy while it is charging.
Use the soap or cleaner the maker recommends. Rinse or remove it as instructed, then let the toy dry completely. Pay attention to ridges, seams and removable parts without forcing anything apart.
Materials do not tell you everything
Silicone, glass and metal are often described as non-porous, but that does not establish the cleaning method for an entire product. Motors, coatings, joins and other parts matter too. Porous materials have different cleaning limitations; follow the instructions and consider those limitations when sharing a toy.
Do not boil a toy, bleach it or put it in a dishwasher unless its maker explicitly permits that method. Cleaning and disinfecting are different processes, and an ordinary wash is not a guarantee that all organisms have been removed.
Sharing and changing body areas
Clean between partners and use a fresh condom or suitable barrier where the design allows. Barriers reduce contact but do not replace the product's cleaning instructions. Change barriers between body areas and never move a toy straight from the anus to the vagina.
Drying, storage and replacement
Store the dry toy somewhere clean, following the maker's advice about cases and contact with other materials. Inspect it for cracks, rough patches, damage or changes in the surface. Stop using a damaged toy and check replacement advice.
There is no universal replacement schedule. Condition, construction and the manufacturer's directions matter more than an arbitrary age. If the instructions are missing, ask the manufacturer before trying a harsher cleaning method.
