13 Best Sex Toy Cleaners of 2023, According to Experts

May 19, 2023

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Here's what to look for when shopping, according to sex experts.

Having a trusty vibrator in your top drawer is important, but there's a slightly less sexy product that's just as essential to have on hand: a sex toy cleaner.

If you’re using sex toys, whether that's a bullet vibrator, a wand vibrator, a clit vibrator, or anything else you get intimate with regularly, you need one of the best sex toy cleaners at the ready. That way, you can keep the orgasms coming without unwanted bacteria or other germs that could cause an infection.

"It's important to keep sex toys clean for the same reasons we keep our dishes clean, wash our hands regularly, and clean our clothes," says Celina Criss, a certified sex coach with a Ph.D. in human sexuality, who is the curriculum director of Sex Coach U and the executive director of the World Association of Sex Coaches. "Toys come in contact with our bodies and body fluids," she continues, noting that cleaning toys after use ensures they’re ready to go next time.

Meet the experts: Alexandra Fine, the co-founder and CEO of Dame, and Celina Criss, a certified sex coach with a Ph.D. in human sexuality, who is the curriculum director of Sex Coach U and the executive director of the World Association of Sex Coaches.

You may even clean them before things get heated up if it's been a while or you can't remember the last time you gave your toy a good wipe down. Sometimes, cleaning a toy mid-session is necessary too, depending on how you’re using it. "For example, it is not a good idea to use the same dildo in the anus then vagina without washing it before switching locations," notes Criss.

Simply put, "sex is juicy," says Alexandra Fine, the co-founder and CEO of Dame. "You get juicier on the toys." So, you should be cleaning sex toys every time they come in contact with bodily fluids, and not just when you use them solo. "If you share toys with a partner, keeping your toys clean is also an important part of preventing STI (sexually transmitted infection) transmission," adds Criss.

While you can use antibacterial soap, water, and a dry cloth to clean your bedroom essentials, many brands sell formulas developed specifically to keep sex toys sanitary and safe to use over and over again.

Ahead, shop some of the best sex toy cleaners for hygienic pleasure, including foams, sprays, wipes, and classic soaps.

This foaming sex toy cleaner is free of parabens, sulfates, and alcohol. It has an easy-to-use pump for applying the formula to all kinds of sex toys. Allow a few pumps to settle on the surface of a toy for about a minute, rinse with water, and dry it with a clean towel before putting it back in your top drawer for next time.

More than 8,400 Amazon shoppers give this cleaner a five-star rating. "This stuff really works well," wrote one reviewer. "Let it soak in for a couple of minutes, then rinse off. Clean and ready for more fun!"

Maude is a sexual wellness brand that sells vibrators, lubricants, condoms, and more products designed to make sex better and safer, including this sanitizing spray. The mister kills 99.9% of germs with ethyl alcohol, water, glycerin, and coconut oil. You can use it on your hands and your vibrator. Just be sure to wipe down your toy with a wet towel after spraying it with the mist.

"So so easy to sanitize my vibe!" said one shopper. "I also carry it around in my bag as my hand sanitizer."

Suitable for cleaning silicone, rubber, and latex toys, this water-based spray from sex toy brand Lelo comes in a sleek white bottle. Free of alcohol and pH balanced, the formula is meant to be sprayed on toys, then rinsed away with water, and dried with a towel.

"This spray gets the job done, and it has a pleasant smell," said a reviewer. "I have several Lelo toys and I can't believe I didn't buy this when I bought my first—it is a must have when using higher-end toys like Lelo's. The small amount will go a long way as well!"

This top-rated cleansing spray is compatible with all sex toy materials, according to Lovehoney. It has a water-based formula with a spray nozzle for easy application. Plus, the clear bottle helps you keep track of when you need to order a replacement.

It has hundreds of five-star ratings on Amazon. "I use to have a bad habit of not cleaning my sex toys right after using them, but with this cleaner it does an amazing job and I never have to fear of getting a UTI."

For hands and vibrators, this cleaning spray from Dame banishes 99.9% of germs with isopropyl alcohol, witch hazel, grape seed extract, sweet orange, and more naturally derived essential oils. It's free of parabens and glycerin, making it gentle enough to use on your favorite intimate accessories.

"I bought this to replace my previous vibe cleaner, and it didn't disappoint," wrote a reviewer. "There was no residue, weird smell, or anything; it cleans everything great! And the size of the bottle is perfect."

Known for its personal lubricants, Sliquid also makes an organic sex toy cleaner. It comes in a spray bottle, offering antibacterial and anti-fungal properties without glycerin, parabens, alcohol, or other harsh chemicals. Instead, its hypoallergenic, non-tox formula contains 95% organic ingredients, including aloe vera, tea tree oil, castor oil, and jojoba oil.

System Jo makes some of the best lubricants, so it's no surprise it also offers an effective, fragrance-free sex toy cleaner. The foaming formula is free of parabens and alcohol, requiring just a few pumps and 60 seconds of soaking to get the job done. It's safe to use on most sex toy materials.

"This is a product I can vouch for," wrote one Amazon shopper. "I used to work at a brick and mortar Adam & Eve. This was a product we sold constantly and that everyone had," she continued, adding that is has a mild scent and doesn't leave toys feeling sticky after use.

This foaming cleaning solution kills bacteria and preps toys for future fun after every use. It contains water and antimicrobial benzalkonium chloride. Pump the foam onto your sex toy, let it soak for about a minute, then rinse it off with warm water. Make sure it's completely dry before putting it away.

"Worked like a charm for my sex toys," according to an Amazon reviewer. "It didn't leave behind a strong odor and hasn't irritated my skin."

For quick and easy cleaning, turn to these pH balanced cleansing tissues from AfterGlow. The antibacterial wipes contain ingredients like water, aloe vera juice, and citric acid to disinfect toys without the need to submerge them in water. While they’re lightly scented with bergamot oils and natural deodorant, they’re free of parabens, perfume, and glycerin.

This affordable spray can safely go all over your sex toys. Just remove batteries and unplug your toy to get started. Spray, then rinse with cold water, and dry thoroughly before putting it away. It comes in a one or six ounce bottle, and the formula prevents bacteria growth with purified water and phospholipids. Note: This one does contain fragrance and preservatives.

"I have purchased this several times and have always been happy with it. It is especially handy when you are not able to wash toys right away," according to one customer.

This handy spray sanitizes, deodorizes, and disinfects all kinds of sex toys. Its water-based formula doesn't contain alcohol and simply sprays on and wipes clean with a damp cloth.

The spray has over 1,800 five-star reviews. "I love the spray...it is so easy and fast to use," said one reviewer. "Just spray, wipe, and go. It is easily the quickest part of pleasing yourself."

This natural cleanser is safe for you and your toys. It has antibacterial ingredients like guava bark, lavender oil, and tea tree oil and is compatible with plastic, silicone, rubber, glass, and metal toys. To use, spray the foaming solution on your toy, rinse with water (after removing batteries and making sure not to wet any motors), and air dry.

"This by far is the best toy cleanser I have found," said one happy customer.

While this isn't marketed as a sex toy cleaner, you can absolutely use antibacterial soap to clean your goodies in between sessions. "Antibacterial soap and water is effective," says Fine.

This hand soap from Dial is a great option because it's fragrance-free, gentle, hypoallergenic, and foaming. Just be sure to rinse and dry your sex toy after using this or any soap to clean it.

✔️ Look at the ingredients. Fine suggests keeping an eye out for isopropyl alcohol on the label of a sex toy cleaner. It's what her company, Dame, uses in its sex toy cleaner. There are also alcohol-free cleaners to choose from if you’d prefer more gentle ingredients. Most are also free of parabens and some note not including glycerin, which can impact the pH balance of the vagina.

✔️ Consider your specific toys. "Pay attention to any special needs your toy may have," says Criss. "Is it waterproof? Is the material sensitive to certain types of cleaners or methods?" These questions will help you find the right sex toy cleaner for you.

✔️ Listen to your body. "Pay attention to labels, care instructions, and your body's sensitivities," Criss advises. That means checking for any possible allergens and stopping using any products that cause an adverse reaction. If you’re unsure of any ingredients, you can always ask your doctor for personalized advice.

Keeping your sex toys clean has a number of obvious benefits. It prevents the spread of germs and bacteria, keeping STIs and yeast infections at bay.

While plain old soap and water (and a clean cloth for drying) are all you really need, other solutions have their perks as well. First of all, they’re easy to use, making the task more approachable even when you don't feel like doing it. "Let's be honest, post orgasm is sometimes not our most active moment," says Fine. Additionally, spray-on sex toy cleaners and wipes are ideal for toys that come with motors that can't be submerged in water.

We tapped Alexandra Fine, the co-founder and CEO of Dame, and Celina Criss, a certified sex coach with a Ph.D. in human sexuality, who is the curriculum director of Sex Coach U and the executive director of the World Association of Sex Coaches, for their insights on what to look for in a sex toy cleaner. We also read through customer reviews of top-rated products to narrow down the list.

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

Christie is a writer, editor, and content strategist living in New York City. She is currently the senior commerce editor at Prevention.

Previously, she was the news editor at Shape, where she wrote and edited timely stories with a focus on celebrity, health, beauty, and wellness news. She interviewed celebrities, celebrity fitness trainers, and other experts to provide insider tips and information to readers about emerging wellness trends. Prior to that, she was a commerce editor at Meredith. She wrote and edited shopping content for Real Simple, Southern Living, Better Homes & Gardens, and Martha Stewart Living.

Christie has also written features for InStyle and Glamour, and more of her previous work can be found on People, Travel Leisure, and MyDomaine. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a B.A. in humanities.

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