How-to
Clean TPE vs silicone
How to clean, dry and store TPE and silicone sex toys, torsos and dolls, why the routines differ, and how to deal with stickiness, stains and smells.
Research-based reviewSex Toy Care, Materials and Safety
How to clean, store and choose safe sex toys and lubes, plus what toy materials mean for safety and upkeep.
Three habits keep almost any sex toy safe: clean it after every use, store it dry and separately, and use a lube that suits its material. Material decides how easy that is. Non-porous silicone, glass and stainless steel can be cleaned thoroughly. Porous TPE, PVC and jelly can harbour bacteria and need more care, or replacing sooner.
Guides in this section
- How to clean your sex toys safely: step by step, by material and by toy type.
- Toy materials explained: silicone, ABS, TPE and more: what is body-safe and what to avoid.
- How to clean TPE vs silicone sex toys: the two most common soft materials.
- Sex toy lube compatibility guide: water, silicone, oil and hybrid lubes.
- How to choose your first sex toy: a beginner’s buying guide.
- Things around the house that can double as sex toys safely: what is safe, and what you should never use.
We are not medical professionals. If you have irritation, pain, an infection or a medical condition, see a doctor or sexual health clinic.
How-to guides and explainers
How-to
How to choose your first sex toy
A no-judgment guide to choosing your first sex toy, covering which type suits you, safe materials, size, noise, budget and the starter toys worth buying.
Research-based reviewHow-to
How to clean sex toys
How to clean every kind of sex toy safely with mild soap and water, when boiling is fine, how to handle motors and TPE sleeves, and how to dry and store toys.
Research-based reviewExplainer
Lube compatibility
Which lube to use with which sex toy: water-based, silicone and oil-based lube checked against silicone, TPE, PVC, glass and condoms.
Research-based reviewExplainer
Household items as sex toys
Which household items are safe for external play, which to avoid, and why nothing improvised should ever go inside the body.
Research-based reviewExplainer
Toy materials explained
Sex toy materials compared: silicone, ABS, glass, steel, TPE, PVC and jelly, which are porous, how to clean each and what to avoid.
Research-based review