We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
Our sex writers insist you keep it clean... with the 10 best sex toy cleaners in 2024
Wash this space
Fess up ladies, when was the last time you actually cleaned your sex toys? It doesn’t take an expert to work out that anything that comes in contact with semen needs a good scrub before it starts to pong. But if you stash your favourite dildo under the bed and pop it out for a quick clitoral-targeted solo pleasure session every night, there’s a strong chance it hasn’t been anywhere near running water for weeks, never mind a dedicated sex toy cleaning product.
Even if you're engaging in solo masturbation and there isn’t a drop of gism in sight, hygiene should still be at the top of your agenda. Sex toy cleaners are designed to remove harmful bacteria, sticky lube and vagina fluids that can linger on vibrators, dildos and rabbits.
So, if you find yourself asking, do I need a sex toy cleaner? The answer is almost definitely yes. And if you’re a fan of anal play, it goes without saying that butt plugs *definitely* need a good douche after every session too.
With the help of Gigi Engle, sexologist and sex educator at sextoys.co.uk, we’re here to show you how to suds up your well-loved sex toys. Keep scrolling for everything you need to know about keeping your dildos squeaky clean, plus our pick of the best sex toy cleaners to shop now.
The best sex toy cleaners at a glance
- Best all-rounder: Lovehoney Fresh Toy Cleaner, £12.99
- Best on a budget: Bondara Wet N' Wash Antibacterial Toy Cleaner, £7.99
- Best premium sex toy cleaner: LELO Toy Cleaning Spray, £13.90
- Best sex toy cleaning spray: So Divine Pristine Antibacterial Sex Toy Cleaning Spray, £7.99
- Best sex toy cleaning wipes: Lovehoney Fresh Biodegradable Sex Toy Wipes, £6.99
- Best sex toy cleaning storage: Lovehoney Super Fresh UV Sex Toy Cleaning Pouch, £54.99
Why do you need to clean your sex toys?
Cleaning your sex toys after every single use is about more than lingering funky aromas. “Sex toys come in contact with body parts and bodily fluids — which means they get covered in bacteria,” explains Engle. “Not cleaning them can result in infections like bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections — or skin irritations.
“Sex toy hygiene is important for several reasons, not least taking good care of your trusted vibes. It can also lead to degrading and breaking down of the materials of the sex toys themselves — and sex toys are expensive, so no one wants that,” adds Engle.
How often should you clean your sex toys?
For best results, you should clean your sex toys after each and every use, according to Engle. “If you're feeling lazy, you can use a vibrator over a blanket, underwear [cotton please!], or clothes externally on the clitoris — and this can allow you to skip such frequent cleaning, as it isn't coming into contact with any bodily fluids or skin,” she says. “If you do want to use that same toy with a partner, however, clean it first.”
How we test the best sex toy cleaners
We take our role as toy and sex accessory testers seriously, regularly getting down and, uh, dirty with the latest launches. So when it came to delivering our wash-up of the best sex toy cleaners, we wanted to make sure we made well-founded claims.
So, picture this: an enthusiastic team of volunteers — better known as Cosmo writers, editors and their willing partners — took an array of sprays, wipes and foaming washes home to pair with their playthings.
At the time of testing, those involved identified as female, male, or gender-neutral and were between 23 and 35 years old. Many also admitted to never having used a specific sex toy cleaner before, while two claimed they regularly used an anti-bac spray post-play.
10 best sex toy cleaners to shop now
From LELO’s premium sex toy cleaning spray to Lovehoney’s biodegradable sex wipes, we’ve rounded up the best sex toy cleaning products to keep your pleasure chest super fresh and bacteria-free. You can thank us later.
![text text](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/anal-vibrator-lead-66226ab9d93e0.png?crop=0.505xw:1.00xh;0.253xw,0&resize=360:*)
8 of the best anal vibrators
![diagram diagram](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/quiet-sex-toys-lead-661568df25b0b.png?crop=0.505xw:1.00xh;0.248xw,0&resize=360:*)
The silent vibrators you need in your life
![diagram diagram](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/lgbtq-toys-recommended-66acd2d1d68c6.jpg?crop=0.505xw:1.00xh;0.274xw,0&resize=360:*)
8 LGBTQ+ people recommend their favourite sex toys
![logo logo](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/lesbian-sex-toys-66accf96bc7ce.jpg?crop=0.505xw:1.00xh;0.248xw,0&resize=360:*)
10 of the best lesbian sex toys