When you consider just how intimate sex toys are, it makes sense that cleaning them regularly is one of the most important things you can do as a responsible sex toy owner. But, exactly how to clean sex toys can depend on many factors, such as their material, and how you use them. For those of you wondering how to clean a dildo vs. how to clean a vibrator: the answers will differ. A non-motorized toy that you use anally may require a different cleaning regimen than a vibrating toy that you use externally on your clitoris, for example. Just like how there are many different kinds of the best sex toys (like sex toys for larger bodies, sex toys for couples, and beyond), there are different ways to disinfect sex toys.

“It all depends on the material your sex toy is made from,” explains sexual wellness expert Vicki Lyons, chief editor at Bodyjoys. You see, non-porous toys made from materials like glass or metal can withstand sterilization techniques such as boiling, whereas other materials like silicone or toys with removable batteries may require a lighter touch (such as using specific sex toy cleaners)—but one that still is thorough enough to effectively sanitize and clean the toy.

“It all depends on the material your sex toy is made from.”— Vicki Lyons, sexual wellness expert and chief editor at Bodyjoys

For more on how to clean sex toys, we asked the experts for their exact suggested cleaning regimens, why it’s so important to clean sex toys, when to clean your sex toys, and common mistakes people make when cleaning their sex toys. Don’t be intimidated: the cleaning process is actually pretty straightforward for all the different types of toys, you just need to know which road you’re going down. And let’s not forget: when it comes to the benefits of sex toys, taking a little extra time to prepare your toys is well worth the trouble.

How to clean sex toys, by type

How you clean sex toys will vary depending on the type of toy you have.

Battery-operated toys

For toys that fall into the battery-operated category of sex toy products, sex expert Mayla Green, blogger, and founder at The Adult Toy Shop, says to first remove the batteries. “Never store a toy with batteries inside or the contacts will eventually corrode,” she explains. Then, Green says to use antibacterial hand soap or sex toy cleaner spray to clean and eliminate bacteria and sanitize the toy. If toys are not submersible or waterproof, Lyons suggests using sanitizer spray instead of running under water.

If you are washing the toy under water, “make sure to distribute the soap evenly across the surface and lather it up well with your hands for about 30 seconds, then rinse well with warm water,” Green says.

Rechargeable toys

For rechargeable toys, you can follow the same instructions as above, just without having to worry about first taking the batteries out before you wash or sanitize them.

Toys made of non-porous materials

You might also see online that you can boil certain sex toys to disinfect them. “Non-porous materials such as pure silicone, glass, and metal can be boiled for sterilization, as long as the toy is waterproof and doesn’t feature a motor inside,” explains Lyons. For example, a lot of butt plugs can be made entirely of metal or glass, and can therefore be boiled. “Five to ten minutes submerged in boiling water is typically enough to sterilize toys,” Lyons adds.

When to clean sex toys

“Regardless of what type of sex toy you own, you should always make sure that you are cleaning them before and after every use,” says sexologist Rhiannon John, expert at Bedbible.

However, if you had to pick: cleaning after is the most important time. While ideally, you should be cleaning toys before and after every use, “this doesn’t always happen, so it’s best to make sure that they have been cleaned after each use so they are clean for the next use,” John explains.

Why cleaning sex toys is important

“Sex toys can pick up fungi and bacteria when you use them, leading to yeast infections, UTIs, or bacterial vaginosis,” says sexologist Suzannah Weiss, resident sexologist at Fleshy. She also notes that it’s “even possible for a sex toy to spread an STI,” if you are using it between two or more partners at the same time, or two different parts of your own body. Therefore, it’s really important to know how to clean sex toys and to clean them thoroughly and regularly, so you can avoid such situations.

Worst case scenarios of infection aside, an unclean or unwashed sex toy may also just be a turn-off. The smell of an unwashed sex toy that’s been exposed to bodily fluids, lubricants, and more could smell unpleasant, sexologist Sofie Roos, couples therapist, and author at Passionerad.se also says, adding that the life of the sex toy itself could also be dramatically decreased without proper cleaning and upkeep.

How to safely store your toys

The experts all agree here that storing sex toys separately in dry, dark spaces is the best way to store your sex toys. “A silk bag in your wardrobe or under the bed is absolutely perfect, and many times sex toys even come with a bag like this. So, don’t throw it away, use it for storage instead like it’s made for,” Roos says.

Other storage solutions include keeping your toys in the package they came in, as Green suggests, or even getting a dedicated sex toy storage box on Amazon, as Weiss suggests.

5 mistakes to avoid making when cleaning sex toys

1. Not cleaning your toy when it first arrives

The same way you want to wash clothes when they first arrive, you definitely want to clean your sex toys before you actually use them. “Just like new underwear, a sex toy should be cleaned thoroughly with mild soap and hot water after you take it out of the packaging and let it air dry on a clean surface,” Story says. “Sex toys are not sterile, so it’s reasonable to expect that they have dust or bacteria, even if brand new.”

2. Not checking whether your toy is waterproof or water-resistant before you clean it

While many sex toys are waterproof, it’s very worth double checking before bringing a toy in the tub with you as a bath-time companion to confirm that it is safe for submerging.

“If it’s not, there could be openings through which water will leak and cause electrical and battery damage. Make sure to review the product information so you don’t ruin your toy,” says Sadie Allison, PhD, sex educator and co-founder of GoLove CBD lubricant.

3. Not drying your toys off properly

“Not drying off your toy fully before storing could lead to damage issues, so make sure to really wipe it down before placing it back in its respective nook,” says sexologist, CEO of Dame Products CEO, and Well+Good Changemaker Alexandra Fine, who suggests avoiding towels that leave any kind of debris, which could leave irritating particles on the toy.

4. Using scented soaps, household cleaning products, or bleach

“Remember, these toys are presumably going back into contact with either your vagina or anus—both very absorbent parts of your body,” says Fine. “Scents can cause irritation and problems like yeast infections, so avoid just throwing any old household scented soap onto these.”

Dr. Allison also adds that using household cleaning products that aren’t meant for sex toys can damage them. “It’s best to stick with warm water and anti-bacterial soap and/or sex-toy cleaners,” she says.

5. Throwing it in your musty old goody drawer

That’s because your drawers are a powerful location for allowing bacteria to build up. Furthermore, why hide your pleasure? “I encourage people to leave their favorite sex toys on their nightstand, front and center. It sends a statement that you prioritize pleasure and also serves as a reminder to have sex,” Story says. And if you must keep them in a messy drawer? “Make sure you place your toy in a waterproof wet bag first,” she says.