In my time in the intimacy wellness world, I have heard just about everything when it comes to how people clean their toys. Hand sanitizer. Bleach. Rubbing alcohol. Baby wipes. And yes — the dishwasher. I promise I am not making any of these up.

I get it. You want your toys clean, and you reach for whatever feels like it should work. But here's the thing: what you use to clean your toys matters enormously — for your health, for the life of your toy, and for your investment in your own pleasure.

Let's talk about it.

What People Use (And Why It's a Problem)

Hand sanitizer — It feels like the obvious choice. It kills germs, right? The problem is that hand sanitizer contains alcohol and other harsh chemicals that can degrade silicone and other toy materials over time, leaving the surface compromised and potentially harboring bacteria in the tiny cracks it creates. Not exactly the clean you were going for.

Bleach — Please, no. Bleach is far too harsh for any toy material and can cause serious skin and mucous membrane irritation. Even rinsed thoroughly, residue can remain. This one is a hard no.

Rubbing alcohol — Similar to hand sanitizer, alcohol breaks down silicone over time. It may feel like it's doing a thorough job, but it's slowly destroying your toy's surface with every use.

Baby wipes — These seem gentle, but most baby wipes contain fragrances, preservatives, and other ingredients that aren't body-safe for intimate use. They also don't actually sanitize — they just move things around.

The dishwasher — I have to be honest, this one always gets me. While some non-motorized, non-electronic silicone toys technically can go on the top rack, the heat, detergent, and water pressure are unpredictable and can warp, crack, or damage most toys. And if your toy has a motor or charging port? Water damage is almost guaranteed. Also — you eat off those dishes. Just think about that for a second. Your toys deserve their own cleaning routine, and so does your kitchen. Just don't.

Regular soap and water — This one surprises people because it seems so harmless. And while a gentle rinse with mild soap won't cause immediate damage, regular soap used over time can degrade toy materials, causing microscopic cracks and tears in the surface. Those tiny imperfections become places where bacteria can hide and grow — and no amount of rinsing will fully reach them. Over time, a toy that looks fine on the outside may no longer be truly clean or safe.

Why Dedicated Toy Cleaner Is Worth It

A quality toy cleaner is specifically formulated to be effective against bacteria while being gentle on toy materials and completely body-safe. It cleans thoroughly without degrading silicone, TPE, ABS plastic, or other common toy materials. It's designed for exactly this purpose, and nothing else does the job as well.

Our Simply Foam & Fresh Toy Cleaner is one of our favorites — a clean, antibacterial foaming formula with olive leaf extract that's alcohol-free and paraben-free. Spray, wipe, done. No rinsing required. We also love the Wicked Cleene Toy Cleaner for a liquid option, and the Lavandula Foaming Toy Cleaner for those who prefer a naturally-scented formula.

Think of it this way: your toys are an investment in yourself and your pleasure. They do such a good job taking care of you — so take care of them.

The Silicone Secret Nobody Talks About Enough

Here's something that surprises a lot of people: silicone eats silicone. If you have multiple silicone toys stored together — touching each other in a drawer — they can actually begin to break down where they make contact. Over time, they can fuse together.

I always say: pulling out one big toy is not fun when it used to be two toys.

This is one of the reasons we love our Pleasure Tote. It keeps your toys separated so they're not touching, which protects the material. It's also treated with Bioshield 75, an antimicrobial protection that helps keep the interior of the tote clean between uses.

Your toys stay separated, protected, and ready to go — which is exactly how it should be.

The Simple Rule

Clean your toys before and after every use with a dedicated toy cleaner. Store them separately — ideally in a toy bag or tote — so they're not touching. And skip the bleach, the dishwasher, and the hand sanitizer. Your body will thank you, and so will your toys.

Shop toy cleaners and storage at Secrets and Lace. Because taking care of yourself means taking care of everything that goes into that.