Content Verification

Written by:✓

Tatyana Dyachenko
Psychologist and Relationship Adviser

Medically Reviewed by:✓

Veronika Matutyte
Medical Doctor

Fact Checked by:✓

Katie Lasson
Sex and Relationship Adviser

By Ksenia Sobchak

In order for your dildo to bring you pleasure and excitement every time you use it, you must firstly ensure that you clean it properly before first use, and then after every subsequent use. This is a very simple thing to do that will take up very little time.

By cleaning your dildos, you can ensure that the spread of bacteria is virtually eliminated. You will also be safe in the knowledge that a little bit of care and attention could also make your dildo last for much longer.

To establish what material your dildo is made from, either check the product details on the website or take a look at the packaging that it came in. Then, follow this easy to use guide to find out what you should do to keep your dildos in the safest condition possible.

Glass Dildos

Made from toughened glass that is shatter proof and designed to withstand pressures of up to 3000 lbs, glass dildos are incredibly easy to clean. Due to their non-porous qualities, glass toys can be washed in the dishwasher, rinsed in warm water or sterilised in boiling water.

To ensure that your glass dildo is completely clean, spray a small amount of anti-bacterial sex toy cleaner onto any lumps and bumps then either rub dry with a soft cloth or a tissue.

Jelly Dildos

Unlike glass dildos, jelly dildos are flexible and not fully porous meaning that they can be a breeding ground for bacteria if they aren't cleaned sufficiently.

Wash in warm water with antibacterial soap. Alternatively apply toy cleaner to the surface of your dildo after firstly running it under hot water then use a soft cloth to dry it off.

Latex Dildos

The best way to clean latex dildos is to wash them with antibacterial soap in warm water. Toy cleaners can also be used but it's important to select one that's free from alcohol such as the Sex Toy Cleaner because cleaners that have alcohol in them degrade the latex and therefore cannot sterilise these toys.

Plastic Dildos

Dildos that are made from either hard or smooth coated plastics can either be washed down with warm water and antibacterial soap, or cleaned with hot water and an anti-bacterial toy cleaner - not forgetting to pat dry thoroughly afterwards with a tissue or cloth.

Realistic Dildos

Looking and often feeling just like the real thing, you should take a bit of extra care when cleaning realistic dildos due to all of the lumps, bumps and veins that could provide lots of hiding places for germs and bacteria to get into. The best way to clean your realistic dildo is to run it under warm water then liberally spray it with sex toy cleaner before rubbing it dry with a cloth or a fresh tissue.

If it states that your realistic dildo is made from CyberSkin, UR3, Loveclone, Real Feel Skin or PleasureSkin, you might find that it becomes tacky after cleaning. Applying cornstarch or cornflour to the surface of it can help with this and significantly extend its life.

Silicone Dildos

Designed to be hard wearing, hypoallergenic and non-porous, silicone dildos can be washed in the dishwasher, boiled to sterilise them or have sex toy cleaner applied before wiping clean with a smooth cloth. Please note that if your silicone dildo comes with the option of a bullet vibrator that can be inserted into a recess in its shaft, you must remove this before cleaning otherwise the bullet may cease to function.

Now you know the essentials when it comes to keeping your dildos clean. If you want to find out about how to store your dildo, then read our guide.

Can We Help?

Please contact our experienced customer service team if you have any additional questions about how to clean your dildos.