{"id":45819,"date":"2025-05-15T06:56:27","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T04:56:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/?p=45819"},"modified":"2026-03-17T05:54:32","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T04:54:32","slug":"alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc\/","title":{"rendered":"Alcohol, Soap, or Special Cleaners: What Should You Use?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keeping your sex toys clean is key for two reasons: protecting your health and ensuring the longevity of your toys. That&#8217;s why it&#8217;s so essential to know exactly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/cleaning-and-caring-for-sex-toys\/\" rel=\"noopener\">how to clean your sex toys<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best way to clean sex toys mostly depends on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/how-to-choose-the-right-cleaner-for-different-materials-tc\/\" rel=\"noopener\">material the toys are made from<\/a> and what kind of cleaning products you have on hand. You see, there&#8217;s more than one way to clean your toys, and how you clean your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/guide-to-cleaning-silicone-sex-toys-tc\/\">silicone vibrator<\/a> may look different from how you clean your jelly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-dildos-safely-and-effectively-tc\/\">dildo<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;ve ever wondered whether you can wipe down a silicone toy with alcohol, you may have on hand or if it&#8217;s worth investing in a nice but often pricey sex toy cleaner, you&#8217;re not alone. That&#8217;s why we&#8217;re here today!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This guide breaks down the three main sex toy cleaning options\u2014alcohol, soap, and specialized sex toy cleaners\u2014so you can make the right choice without a headache.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cleaning vs. Disinfecting: What&#8217;s the Difference?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before we dive deep into each cleaning option, let&#8217;s first discuss the difference between cleaning and disinfecting. These two terms are often used interchangeably when people talk about cleaning sex toys, but there&#8217;s a slight difference between the two:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cleaning <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">means removing dust, lint, dirt, fluids, lube, surface bacteria, and debris.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Disinfecting <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">means killing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that may live on your sex toys.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to sex toy maintenance and cleaning, there&#8217;s a place and time for both cleaning and disinfecting. However, how you clean and disinfect will depend on the material of your toys\u2014some materials are more forgiving and can handle stronger disinfectants (stainless steel), while others require gentler cleaning to avoid damage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What&#8217;s the best practice? Clean your toys thoroughly after every use, and disinfect them occasionally if the toy&#8217;s materials allow it (check the toy manufacturer&#8217;s manual if you&#8217;re unsure).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best Way to Clean Sex Toys Option #1: Using Soap &amp; Water<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The easiest, most straightforward, and budget-friendly option to clean your sex toys is to use mild soap and warm water. It&#8217;s easily accessible to everyone and gentle on most materials, so you can be certain your sex toys will remain intact (in most cases), and this cleaning method is very effective at removing fluids, lube, and bacteria if you do it properly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, this method has some cons, too. It may <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/sex-toy-cleaning-why-soap-isnt-always-enough-tc\/\" rel=\"noopener\">not be enough to fully disinfect a sex toy<\/a> and kill all the bacteria or remove an odor from toys used <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/safety-tips-for-anal-toys-tc\/\">anally<\/a>. Also, if you don&#8217;t rinse the toys thoroughly each time you wash them, there may be a buildup of residue from the soap, which can impact toy longevity and your health.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you use this cleaning method, make sure it&#8217;s compatible with your sex toy materials. Using mild soap and water is the best cleaning method for toys made from:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Silicone<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ABS plastic<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Borosilicate glass<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stainless steel<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/tor-3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-45519 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/silicone-sex-toy-for-men.jpg\" alt=\"waterproof sex toy for men\" width=\"850\" height=\"425\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/silicone-sex-toy-for-men.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/silicone-sex-toy-for-men-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/silicone-sex-toy-for-men-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/silicone-sex-toy-for-men-770x385.jpg 770w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Quick How To Guide<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to clean your sex toys using mild soap and warm water, here&#8217;s how to do it with ease:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rinse your toy under warm water.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apply a mild, fragrance-free soap (the best soap for sex toys is an unscented castile or baby soap).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lather the sex toy well, paying close attention to all the crevices and textured areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rinse thoroughly until all the soap is washed away.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Place it somewhere to air dry completely on a clean towel or pat dry with a lint-free cloth (pay attention to those crevices and textured areas in particular).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One thing to know if you have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-damaging-electronic-toys-while-cleaning-tc\/\">motorized or non-waterproof toys<\/a>\u2014use a damp cloth with soapy water to wipe down the surface rather than submerging the toy under water.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best Way to Clean Sex Toys Option #2: Using Isopropyl Alcohol<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alright, the next popular cleaning option is to use isopropyl alcohol to clean your sex toys. The advantage of this cleaning method is that it offers strong disinfecting power and kills most bacteria and viruses that may live on the surface of your sex toy. It&#8217;s a quick-drying method, and it works wonders on non-porous, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/waterproof-vs-non-waterproof-toys-cleaning-guide-tc\/\">waterproof toys<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What&#8217;s not so great about this cleaning method is that it can degrade silicone and porous materials (like jelly) over time. So, that may negatively impact your toy&#8217;s longevity. This cleaning method may also cause irritation on the skin if you&#8217;re particularly sensitive, so that&#8217;s also something to be mindful of.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using isopropyl alcohol is the best for sex toys made from these materials:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stainless steel<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hard ABS plastic (do a patch test before using)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Borosilicate glass<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can You Clean Silicone with Alcohol?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Technically, you can use alcohol to clean your silicone sex toys, but it&#8217;s not recommended if you want your toys to last as long as possible. Alcohol can dry out and degrade silicone over time, which may make the surface sticky.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, occasional use may not ruin your silicone sex toys, but long-term? It may not be the best way to clean sex toys made from silicone, so you may want to opt for a different cleaning method.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Quick How To Guide<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alright, if you want to clean your sex toys with isopropyl alcohol, here&#8217;s how to do it the right way:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choose a 70% or higher isopropyl alcohol (avoid rubbing alcohol with additives).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dampen a soft cloth or a cotton pad (avoid soaking it).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wipe down the toy thoroughly, making sure you get into all the nooks and crevices.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let the toy air dry completely before storing it or using it.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have a sex toy with motors, avoid using isopropyl alcohol to clean them unless the sex toy manufacturer&#8217;s manual states it&#8217;s safe to do so. Better be safe than sorry, so always double-check!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/cleaning-and-caring-for-sex-toys-tc\/how-to-clean-sex-toys-care-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-45258 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/how-to-clean-sex-toys-care-guide.jpg\" alt=\"sex toy cleaning tips\" width=\"850\" height=\"425\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/how-to-clean-sex-toys-care-guide.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/how-to-clean-sex-toys-care-guide-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/how-to-clean-sex-toys-care-guide-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/how-to-clean-sex-toys-care-guide-770x385.jpg 770w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best Way to Clean Sex Toys Option #3: Using Special Sex Toy Cleaners<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The last, most popular, and best way to clean your sex toys is to use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/special-sex-toy-cleaning-scenarios-tc\/\" rel=\"noopener\">special sex toy cleaners<\/a>. Now, these sex toy cleaners are great because they&#8217;re designed specifically for sex toy hygiene and maintenance. Most of them are typically pH-balanced and body-safe, which shouldn&#8217;t cause any irritations. Also, sex toy cleaners are super easy to use and are safe for all sex toy materials, including delicate and porous ones (like jelly).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another great advantage of these sex toy cleaners is that they can be super useful for cleaning sex toys that are difficult to rinse or may not be allowed to submerge (splashproof or water-resistant toys).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, there are some cons, too. One of the biggest obstacles to using sex toy cleaners is that they tend to be pricey\u2014most often, much more expensive than soap or alcohol. Also, some of these sex toy cleaners may have scents and ingredients that may irritate sensitive skin.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Quick How To Guide<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you choose to use a specialized sex toy cleaner to clean your sex toys, here&#8217;s how to do it correctly:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spray the sex toy cleaner directly onto the toy (avoid spraying into charging ports, though).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let the sprayed toy sit for the recommended time (check the instructions on the sex toy cleaner you use).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wipe the toy down with a damp cloth or with warm water (again, refer to the instructions on the sex toy cleaner you use).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allow the sex toy to air dry on a clean towel or pat it dry with a lint-free towel before storing it away.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s always a good idea to check the toy cleaner ingredients before you make a purchase to ensure the cleaner doesn&#8217;t contain alcohol, parabens, or unnecessary fragrances to avoid skin irritation and to protect toys made from silicone or porous materials.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Choose the Right Cleaning Method for Your Toy<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you know, not all sex toys are created equally. Each toy is unique and made from a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/how-to-clean-different-types-of-sex-toys-tc\/\" rel=\"noopener\">different material that requires different care<\/a>\u2014what works for a glass dildo may not be safe for a rubber dildo.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let&#8217;s break down each material and the best cleaning method for each:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Medical-grade silicone: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use soap and water or a sex toy cleaner.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/glass-metal-ceramic-sex-toy-cleaning-tc\/\">Glass or stainless steel<\/a>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Use soap and water, isopropyl alcohol, or opt for boiling the toys.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>ABS plastic: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use soap and water, sex toy cleaner, or alcohol (if the patch test turns out okay).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Jelly rubber or TPR: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use only sex toy cleaners, and always avoid isopropyl alcohol.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Other porous materials (like leather, cotton, etc.): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use a sex toy cleaner to spot clean and avoid submerging in water.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Wood or silicone blends: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use a mild soap with water or a sex toy cleaner. Avoid isopropyl alcohol.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When to Disinfect vs. Just Wash?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alright, if you&#8217;re still confused about when to clean your sex toys and when to disinfect them, we&#8217;ve got you! Here are general guidelines to help you decide:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Disinfect<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> your sex toys when you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/how-to-clean-and-maintain-shared-sex-toys-tc\/\">share them with your partner(s)<\/a>, use them anally often and only if the material of the toy allows it.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Clean<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> your sex toys before and after each use.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/photo-gallery-lelos-waterproof-massagers\/shower-dildos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-45521 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/shower-dildos.jpg\" alt=\"waterproof ina wave vibrator\" width=\"850\" height=\"425\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/shower-dildos.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/shower-dildos-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/shower-dildos-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/shower-dildos-770x385.jpg 770w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common Sex Toy Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if you have only the best intentions in mind and want to keep your sex toys clean, some cleaning habits can do more harm than good. That&#8217;s alright\u2014once you know the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/common-cleaning-mistakes-tc\/\" rel=\"noopener\">common mistakes people often make<\/a> when it comes to sex toy cleaning practices, you&#8217;ll be able to find what works best.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the most common sex toy cleaning mistakes you want to avoid:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mistake #1: Using Harsh Household Cleaners<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using bleach, ammonia, and disinfectant sprays not designed for use on sex toys is a bad idea. These harsh chemicals can break down materials and even cause irritation to your skin. Avoid using harsh household chemicals and opt for sex toy cleaners, soap, water, or alcohol (if the sex toy manufacturer allows it).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mistake #2: Not Rinsing Thoroughly<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another common mistake that&#8217;s totally understandable, because most of us are always in a rush, is not rinsing the sex toys properly after cleaning them. Soap or sex toy cleaner residue can lead to skin irritation, allergic reactions, and even infections. Make sure you&#8217;re rinsing your sex toys thoroughly after every single wash and let them dry fully before storing them away.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mistake #3: Using Alcohol on the Wrong Materials<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We already answered the popular question, &#8220;Can you clean silicone with alcohol?&#8221; earlier, but to reiterate the information again\u2014while it&#8217;s not forbidden, it may be risky. That&#8217;s one mistake people often make when caring for their toys\u2014they don&#8217;t check whether the sex toy material is compatible with their chosen cleaning method. Always read the sex toy manual to make sure your cleaning method won&#8217;t harm your sex toys.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mistake #4: Storing Toys Damp or Dirty<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most dangerous mistakes you can make is to store your toys away before they dry completely, or store them without washing them. Toys stored wet are the breeding ground for bacteria and mold, which can be harmful to your health. Storing the toys dirty also makes harmful bacteria grow, which is dangerous.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always allow your sex toys to dry thoroughly before you store them away. When storing, make sure you keep them in a cool, clean, and breathable place so the mold and bacteria don&#8217;t have a place to grow.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you may tell, when it comes to choosing the best way to clean sex toys, there&#8217;s no one-size-fits-all answer. But there are best practices to choose from, which will depend on your preferences and what sex toys you have.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For most sex toys, using mild soap and water will do the trick. However, if you want added reassurance, a sex toy cleaner can be a safe and convenient option, especially for more delicate materials.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While isopropyl alcohol is a powerful disinfectant (nobody will argue with that), it may not be the best for every single sex toy material. It should be reserved for specific materials like glass or stainless steel.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sex toy hygiene doesn&#8217;t have to be complicated! Once you know the right method for your toy, it&#8217;s pretty simple yet has great benefits\u2014it will protect your health, extend your toy&#8217;s lifespan, and allow you to enjoy worry-free pleasure every time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What&#8217;s your preferred way of cleaning your sex toys?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Enjoy 15% off <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LELO.com<\/a> with code <span style=\"color: #800080;\">VOLONTE15<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Keeping your sex toys clean is key for two reasons: protecting your health and ensuring the longevity of your toys. That&#8217;s why it&#8217;s so essential to know exactly how to clean your sex toys. The best way to clean sex toys mostly depends on the material the toys are made from and what kind of cleaning products you have on hand. You see, there&#8217;s more than one way to clean your toys, and how you clean your silicone vibrator may [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":226,"featured_media":45657,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[884,912,910,911],"tags":[273,1261,1258],"coauthors":[1007],"class_list":["post-45819","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lelo-reviews","category-for-couples","category-for-men","category-for-women","tag-cleaning","tag-hygiene","tag-sex-toys"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.8.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Alcohol, Soap, or Special Cleaners: What Should You Use?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Should you use alcohol, soap, or special cleaners to clean sex toys? Discover the safest and most effective cleaning methods for different materials.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Alcohol, Soap, or Special Cleaners: What Should You Use?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Should you use alcohol, soap, or special cleaners to clean sex toys? Discover the safest and most effective cleaning methods for different materials.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Volont\u00e9\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/LELO.Official\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-05-15T04:56:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-17T04:54:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/cleaning-sex-toys.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"850\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"425\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Karolina Wilde\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@Lelo_Official\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@Lelo_Official\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Karolina Wilde\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc\/\",\"name\":\"Alcohol, Soap, or Special Cleaners: What Should You Use?\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/cleaning-sex-toys.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-05-15T04:56:27+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-17T04:54:32+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/bab2efaa31fe19de7e32a1137fd16a48\"},\"description\":\"Should you use alcohol, soap, or special cleaners to clean sex toys? Discover the safest and most effective cleaning methods for different materials.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/cleaning-sex-toys.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/cleaning-sex-toys.jpg\",\"width\":850,\"height\":425,\"caption\":\"sex toy cleaning mistakes\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Volonte\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Sex Toys\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/lelo-reviews\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Sex Toys for Women\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/lelo-reviews\/for-women\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Alcohol, Soap, or Special Cleaners: What Should You Use?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Volont\u00e9\",\"description\":\"A Pleasure Project by LELO\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/bab2efaa31fe19de7e32a1137fd16a48\",\"name\":\"Karolina Wilde\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/3f748f4771d0ebd4c9c02cc31ab8964a\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/40b8f57af7f5d68e03fef6a64322a3d7?s=96&d=mm&r=pg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/40b8f57af7f5d68e03fef6a64322a3d7?s=96&d=mm&r=pg\",\"caption\":\"Karolina Wilde\"},\"description\":\"Karolina Wilde is the author of House of Pain, the first book in a seductive dark fantasy romance trilogy, a journalist, and a sex-positive freelance writer who worked with some of the biggest brands in the world. She has a serious obsession with chocolate (dark or milk, never white, and always with salted caramel), and when she's not writing another book or another client article, she can be found playing World of Warcraft or trying to conquer her never-ending TBR pile. Find her on social media @karolinawilde or on her website\u00a0www.karolinawilde.com.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/author\/karolina-wilde\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Alcohol, Soap, or Special Cleaners: What Should You Use?","description":"Should you use alcohol, soap, or special cleaners to clean sex toys? Discover the safest and most effective cleaning methods for different materials.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Alcohol, Soap, or Special Cleaners: What Should You Use?","og_description":"Should you use alcohol, soap, or special cleaners to clean sex toys? Discover the safest and most effective cleaning methods for different materials.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc\/","og_site_name":"Volont\u00e9","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/LELO.Official\/","article_published_time":"2025-05-15T04:56:27+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-03-17T04:54:32+00:00","og_image":[{"width":850,"height":425,"url":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/cleaning-sex-toys.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Karolina Wilde","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@Lelo_Official","twitter_site":"@Lelo_Official","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Karolina Wilde","Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc\/","url":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc\/","name":"Alcohol, Soap, or Special Cleaners: What Should You Use?","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/cleaning-sex-toys.jpg","datePublished":"2025-05-15T04:56:27+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-17T04:54:32+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/bab2efaa31fe19de7e32a1137fd16a48"},"description":"Should you use alcohol, soap, or special cleaners to clean sex toys? Discover the safest and most effective cleaning methods for different materials.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/cleaning-sex-toys.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/cleaning-sex-toys.jpg","width":850,"height":425,"caption":"sex toy cleaning mistakes"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/alcohol-soap-special-cleaners-for-sex-toys-tc\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Volonte","item":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Sex Toys","item":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/lelo-reviews\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Sex Toys for Women","item":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/lelo-reviews\/for-women\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Alcohol, Soap, or Special Cleaners: What Should You Use?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/","name":"Volont\u00e9","description":"A Pleasure Project by LELO","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/bab2efaa31fe19de7e32a1137fd16a48","name":"Karolina Wilde","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/3f748f4771d0ebd4c9c02cc31ab8964a","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/40b8f57af7f5d68e03fef6a64322a3d7?s=96&d=mm&r=pg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/40b8f57af7f5d68e03fef6a64322a3d7?s=96&d=mm&r=pg","caption":"Karolina Wilde"},"description":"Karolina Wilde is the author of House of Pain, the first book in a seductive dark fantasy romance trilogy, a journalist, and a sex-positive freelance writer who worked with some of the biggest brands in the world. She has a serious obsession with chocolate (dark or milk, never white, and always with salted caramel), and when she's not writing another book or another client article, she can be found playing World of Warcraft or trying to conquer her never-ending TBR pile. Find her on social media @karolinawilde or on her website\u00a0www.karolinawilde.com.","url":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/author\/karolina-wilde\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45819","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/226"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45819"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45819\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48326,"href":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45819\/revisions\/48326"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45657"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45819"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45819"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45819"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=45819"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}