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Last Updated on January 6, 2026 by Kelly
Sex toys go inside the most delicate regions of your body, so if you’re not cleaning them, what are you doing with yourself?
Sticking a dirty toy up there is not only gross, but you could get bacteria and infections. I’m gagging just writing this.
So, after every use (and before), you should clean your sex toys. That being said, how should you clean them, especially if they’re a Lovense product?
Lovense toys are pricey, and you want to keep them looking fresh for as long as possible. This post will look at when, why, and how to clean your Lovense toys.
Contents
Why Clean My Lovense Toys?
The first question you may wonder is why? Why clean your toys? It should be obvious and common sense, but as they say, common sense is not always so common.
Toys can harbor bacteria, get moldy, or grow other unsightly things if not cleaned. Even if you’re the only user, you can still get infected if you don’t wash your own toy.
Plus, it’s part of cleanliness.
You wouldn’t use the same plate without cleaning it, nor would you want to let your room gather dirt and mold. Come on, do I need to explain any further? Clean your damn sex toys!
When Does My Lovense Toy Actually Need Cleaning?
Before and After Every Use
Most people I know clean after using a toy since it is covered in juices, lube, and who knows what else.
But most get shocked when I say it should be cleaned before every use. Toys can collect lint and dust. Do you want to feel dusty down there?
Of course not.
After Anal Play
Even if you gave yourself a holy water enema, I’d still give it a deep cleaning. E. coli and other bacteria can linger!
When Sharing Toys
If you’re sharing a toy with a partner, even when using condoms, you should still clean it after every use.
Look, I get swapping spit with your partner, but some things you don’t want to share.
If One Person Has an STD/STI
You should sterilize the toy to lower your risk of being exposed to an infection.
After a Yeast Infection
A yeast infection, or any bacterial issue with your vagina, means you should sterilize your toys after every use.
The last thing you want is to become infected again! Just the term “yeast infection” makes my stomach churn.
Textured or Creviced Toys
If you have one of these toys, bacteria can be quite sneaky. It can hide in ridges or grooves, so casual cleanings may not be enough.
I would recommend using a brush to clean under every part of it. Alternatively, a complete boil can get into those areas and clean them off.
Also note that some Lovense toys, like the Lovense Max 2, have specific cleaning instructions. Read more about this here.
The Many Cleaning Terms
You may hear several cleaning terms. Some articles say to sanitize, not clean, your toys after a certain use. Others say to give them a casual cleaning.
Let’s look at what these terms mean:
Cleaning
Cleaning will remove any visible pollutants, such as dirt, fluids, gunk, etc. It can be great after mild use, but cleaning won’t kill all bacteria.
Disinfecting
This process will remove most bacteria and microorganisms. But some viruses or fungi may still be on the toy. Yeah, I think I’m starting to become a germophobe writing this.
Sanitizing
Sanitizing kills 99.9% of germs, but it’s still not a full cleaning—that pesky fraction of a percent!
Sterilizing
This process kills all germs and other harmful organisms, keeping the toy as clean as a hospital tool.
Now, the level of cleaning your toys need can depend on your preference and your situation.
Sticking a toy in your cleaned vagina a few times may require less cleaning than if it were inside the anus of someone who has an STI.
Usually, cleaning or disinfecting the toys can be enough, with sanitizing and sterilizing being used as routine maintenance or when the toy may have an infectious disease on it.
That being said, I do not judge people at all who want to sterilize their toys after every use. There’s never such a thing as being too safe when it comes to toys that go inside you.
Remember, Porous Toys Can’t Be Cleaned
This section doesn’t apply to Lovense toys such as the Lush 4, as all of them are made from non-porous, body-safe silicone.
However, if you have some porous toys in your house, be aware that they will absorb bacteria, and no amount of cleaning will keep them safe.
Porous toys tend to be made from TPE, jelly, and other unsafe materials. If you must use a porous toy, use a condom!
How to Clean Your Lovense Toys
First, What Waterproof Level is it?
If you want to clean your toys, you need water. Some readers may be ready to baptize their toys in a sink.
However, if your toy is a vibrator, check its waterproof level first. IPX7 waterproof or higher toys can be submerged safely for up to 20 minutes.
You can determine if a toy is IPX7 by looking for that symbol on the packaging or checking the product’s listing online.
However, if your toy is labeled as “splash-proof” or “non-waterproof,” do not submerge it. Instead, wipe it down with a damp cloth. Don’t risk your toy becoming a paperweight.
Luckily, most Lovense products will be IPX7, but some may be splash-proof. Always double-check.
Cleaning With Soap and Water
This method works well for all types of toys. However, if your toy isn’t IPX7, use only a damp cloth.
Otherwise, rinse thoroughly with warm water and use a mild, unscented soap. Harsh antibacterial soaps may damage your toys.
Your hands or a soft cloth can then be used to clean it off. That being said, you may want to use a soft-bristled brush to clean any areas with grooves or other details.
Rinse the toy off, then pat or air-dry. Then, put the toy away in a storage bag.
This is one of the best and fastest ways to clean Lovense toys discreetly. I often bring my Lovense toys to the shower, have a little play, wash the toys with soap and water, then bring them back to my room hidden away under my clothes.
Boiling
Just like pasta, you can boil your toys! Boiling is effective for total sterilization and can be used with silicone, glass, metal, and ABS plastic.
However, you should avoid boiling motorized toys, including fully waterproof models, toys with glued parts, or porous materials such as TPE or Cyberskin.
When boiling, put a towel on the bottom of the pot to keep the toys in place, and boil your toys for 3-5 minutes. Use tongs to retrieve them, then drain the pot.
A gentler alternative is to soak your toys in freshly boiled water for up to 2 minutes. This process will sanitize your toys, but not thoroughly sterilize them.
Dishwasher
Look, if you’re living alone or with a partner who doesn’t care, pop them in the dishwasher. This method works well for solid silicone, glass, metal, and ABS plastic toys.
Just make sure they don’t have any motorized parts. Also, these toys should be on the top rack.
Dishwasher cleaning can work well because many dishwashers have a “Sanitize” option, which can make your toys as clean as possible.
That being said, don’t use soap, and let the toys air dry, not dry via heating. Also, while dishwasher cleaning can be effective, boiling is still a much more powerful option.
Bleach
If your partner has an STI or the toy has gotten particularly nasty, you may want to use bleach.
Once again, motorized, porous, or delicate materials (TPE, Cyberskin, latex) are not the best options for the bleach treatment.
Mix one part bleach and 10 parts water, and submerge for five minutes. Afterward, rinse with cool water and dry completely.
Antibacterial Cleaner or Wipes
Buying a toy cleaner or using antibacterial wipes can be a great solution if you’re looking for a fast cleanup.
However, these should never replace a full cleaning. However, they are a powerful way to keep your toys clean when you’re in a pinch.
Use a wipe to clean the entire surface, especially focusing on crevices or textured areas.
Afterward, rinse with soap and water. You can also use a foaming toy cleaner: slather the toy with it, let it settle, and then rinse.
Now, since most Lovense products will be vibrators, you may not be able to use bleach, dishwashing, or hard-boiling.
Doing so may damage the mechanical parts, which you don’t want! So I would recommend using antibacterial toy cleaners.
Remember, these toys are made from high-quality silicone, so they are pretty easy to clean at the end of the day!
Remember to Read the Manual!
Most toys will have similar cleaning instructions, but to make sure, read your manual. This is especially the case if your toy is more unique than your average dildo or has detachable parts.
One part may need to be cleaned one way, and the other toy may need to be cleaned differently.
When to Toss Your Toy
Lovense toys are built to last a long time, particularly if you take care of them. So once again, this section is mainly for other toys.
Smell
What should I do if my Lovense toy smells? If your toy has a strong smell of chemicals or a persistent foul odor, it may be time to throw the toy in the trash!
This sentiment is particularly true for toys made from jelly or other low-quality materials. Be sure to use non-porous toys at all times.
Color Changing or Other Weird Spots
If your toy is starting to change color or you notice mold-like spots, then it’s time for you to toss that sucker away! Another example is if your glass toy has become cloudy.
If You Owned It a Long Time
If your toy is old enough to vote, it may be time to toss it. Once again, well-made toys can last a long time, but cheaper ones may only last a few years.
That being said, you can make your toys last a long time by following basic care steps.
For example, you should always clean before or after every use (it bears repeating) and store your sex toys in a silk bag in a cool, dry place.
Also, never use silicone lube with silicone toys. Doing this can make the toys degrade.
So yeah, that’s the guide for cleaning your Lovense Products.
Lovense toys should mainly be cleaned with antibacterial cleaner, mild soap, and water, and wiping with a damp cloth if they are lower than IPX7 on the waterproof scale.
This way, you’ll keep them fresh while preserving their mechanical parts. Hopefully, this article helped and didn’t gross you out too much.
Though for some, that may be a little tough love.
