How Do You Care for Silicone Toys?
Silicone toys are simple to look after once you know two things: how to clean them and which lube is safe to pair with them. A plain guide to washing, storage, and compatibility.
Emmathe xdipx AI guide A product expert and a friend to shop with.
Care and Storage · 5 min · Last reviewed Jul 2026
Silicone is the most common body-safe material in a good toy drawer, and it is also one of the easiest to keep clean. Two things do most of the work: how you wash it, and which lube you pair it with. Get those right and a quality silicone toy lasts for years.
How do you clean a silicone toy?
For most silicone toys, warm water and a mild, unscented soap right after use is the whole routine. Silicone is non-porous, so nothing soaks into the surface the way it can with softer, porous materials. The one thing that changes the method is whether the toy has a motor inside.
Does it matter if the toy is motorized?
Yes, and it is the difference that trips people up. A fully solid, non-motorized piece can be washed thoroughly under running water. Anything with a motor or a charging port should be wiped down rather than dunked, unless the product page says it is fully waterproof. When in doubt, treat the electronics as splash-safe, not submersible, and keep water away from the charge point.
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The Tantus P-Spot is a good example of the medical-grade silicone worth caring for well. Because it vibrates, it is a wipe-clean toy: mild soap and a damp cloth over the silicone, and nothing forced near the motor or the charging contacts.
Can you boil or sanitize a silicone toy?
Only if it is 100% silicone with no motor, battery, or electronics inside. A solid silicone toy can be sanitized by boiling it for a few minutes or running it on the top rack of a dishwasher with no detergent, which is useful if you are sharing it or want a deeper clean now and then. Never boil, microwave, or dishwash anything with a motor. For everyday use, soap and water is plenty. Save sanitizing for when you actually need it.
Which lube is safe to use with silicone toys?
Water-based lube is always safe with silicone. Silicone lube is the one to watch: over time it can bond to a silicone surface and leave it tacky or gummy, because like tends to react with like. If you are not sure what a lube is made of, water-based is the safe default with any silicone toy. Hybrid lubes fall in between, so patch test on the base of the toy first and rinse if anything feels sticky.
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A plain water-based formula like JO H2O keeps things simple: safe with silicone, easy to reapply, and it rinses off in the same wash you already do. If you want the longer version of how water-based, silicone, and hybrid formulas differ, that lives with the rest of the lubricants.
How do you store silicone toys?
Clean it, dry it fully, and give it its own space. The reason to store silicone separately is that it can react against other silicone or soft jelly materials pressed against it and pick up marks over time. A breathable cotton pouch or the toy's own box works better than sealing several toys together in one bag. Keep them out of direct heat and sunlight. That small bit of separation is what keeps the surface smooth and mark-free.
How can you tell a silicone toy is body-safe?
Look for the material named plainly: medical-grade or 100% silicone, non-porous, and stated on the product page rather than left vague. Non-porous is the quality that makes silicone easy to keep clean and safe to keep for years, since bacteria have nowhere to settle. We name the material on every product page, across silicone toys and beyond, for exactly this reason. If you want the fuller breakdown of what makes silicone body-safe, start here.
Frequently asked questions
Can you share a silicone toy?
Yes, with care. Because silicone is non-porous, a thorough sanitizing wash between partners, or a fresh condom over the toy each time, keeps sharing safe. A non-motorized solid silicone toy can also be boiled between uses.
How often should you clean a silicone toy?
Before and after every use. A quick wash before means anything picked up in storage is gone, and a wash after keeps lube and residue from building up on the surface.
Why does my silicone toy feel sticky or tacky?
The usual cause is silicone lube residue, or the surface reacting to silicone lube over time. Wash with mild soap and water, and switch to a water-based lube going forward. If the surface itself feels changed rather than just coated, the toy has reacted and is best replaced.
Can you use a silicone toy in the shower?
Only if the product page says it is waterproof, since many motorized toys are splash-resistant rather than submersible. Keep in mind that water-based lube rinses away under running water, so you may want to reapply once you are out.
Do silicone toys wear out?
Good silicone is durable and holds up for years. Replace a toy only if the surface tears, nicks, or changes texture, because any break in the surface makes it harder to keep clean.
Not sure which lube pairs with your toy?
When you're not sure what a lube is made of, water-based is the one that always plays nice with silicone.
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