Silicone Care & Safety 101: Don’t Be Gross With Your Dildos

Because taking care of your silicone bestie is easier than explaining an infection to your doctor.

Alright, let's be real for a sec.

You just bought a new dildo. Maybe it's your first. Maybe it's your fifteenth. Either way, you're pumped. And you should be. Good for you.

But here's the part nobody warns you about—once the fun's over, you actually have to clean the thing. Yeah, I know. Buzzkill. But stick with me, because this stuff matters.

Would you wear the same pair of underwear for a week straight? No? Okay then. Don't treat your dildos like they're invisible just because they're made of silicone.

Here at Sustory, we only do platinum silicone. That's it. That's all we make. Just the good stuff.

And today, we're giving you the full rundown on how to keep your soft silicone dildos clean, safe, and ready to roll—without the science lecture or the side of shame. Think of this as your laid-back, no-judgment guide from a friend who just wants you to have a good time. Safely.

Let's get into it.

What's the Big Deal With Platinum Silicone Anyway?

Before we talk about washing and storing, let's talk about why the material even matters.

Here's the thing the cheap toy companies don't want you to know: a lot of dildos are made from sketchy stuff.

PVC. Jelly. TPE. TPR. They sound harmless enough, right? Nope. Those materials are porous—meaning they have tiny little holes you can't even see. And those holes trap bacteria, fluids, and all kinds of nastiness. You can scrub all you want, but you'll never get them truly clean. Gross, right?

Platinum silicone is a whole different animal.

• Non-porous? Check. No place for germs to hide.

• Hypoallergenic? Check. Even if you've got sensitive skin, you're probably fine.

• Heat-resistant? Check. You can literally boil the thing.

In fact, studies show that up to 15% of adult products on the market have material safety issues. And while cheaper silicones can cause skin reactions in nearly 1 in 4 people, platinum silicone drops that number down to 0.3%.

That's not a typo.

Bottom line: Platinum silicone is the gold standard. Whether you're looking for a dildo for beginner or dildo xxl, once you go plat, you never go back.

Why Cleaning Your Dildo Actually Matters

Okay, real talk. You already know you're supposed to clean your dildos. But do you really know why?

Let me paint you a picture.

You just had a great time. You're feeling cozy. Maybe a little sleepy. Definitely not in the mood to do chores. So you toss your dildo on the nightstand and tell yourself, "I'll deal with it tomorrow."

No big deal, right?

Wrong. Huge deal.

Bacteria don't take nights off. The second you put that toy down without cleaning it, the germs start throwing a party. And they invite some real jerks—the kind that cause UTIs, yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and other nonsense you definitely don't want.

Plus, leftover lube or body fluids dry up and get harder to clean later. Over time? You could end up with mold, weird smells, or a dildo that's straight-up unsafe to use.

Trust me: five minutes of cleaning now beats a doctor's visit later. And you really don't want to explain that one to your gyno. (Although let's be honest—they've heard weirder.)

How to Clean Your Silicone Dildo (The Right Way)

Alright, let's get practical. Here's the routine you should follow every single time you use a toy. Yes, every time.

Everyday Cleaning (Quick & Easy)

1. Rinse immediately. As soon as you're done, take it to the sink and rinse with warm water. Not boiling, just warm. This gets the obvious stuff off before it dries like cement.

2. Grab mild soap. Plain, fragrance-free antibacterial soap is perfect. Avoid the fancy stuff with perfumes or weird additives. Even plain dish soap works great.

3. Scrub gently. Lather it up and use your hands to rub every inch. Pay extra attention to ridges, textures, or seams where gunk likes to hide.

4. Rinse really well. Make sure no soap residue is left behind. That residue can irritate your skin next time.

5. Air dry completely. This step is HUGE and so many people skip it. Don't just wipe it with a towel and shove it in a drawer. Let it sit on a clean surface until it's 100% dry. Moisture in a dark drawer = mold party. And nobody wants that.

That's literally it. Five minutes, max. You've got this.

Deep Cleaning & Sterilization (For When You Want to Go Nuclear)

Sometimes a basic wash isn't enough. Maybe you switched partners. Maybe you're recovering from an infection. Maybe you just want your toy to feel brand new again. Whatever the reason, here's how to go all out.

Boiling. Yep. You can drop your silicone toy into a pot of boiling water for 3–5 minutes and it'll come out totally sterilized. Just make sure it doesn't have any electronics or batteries first. Nobody wants an exploding dildo in their kitchen.

Dishwasher. Top rack only. Regular cycle, skip the heated dry. Just maybe don't run it with your dinner plates. I mean, you can, but… that's weird.

Toy cleaner. Store-bought sprays work fine. Just check the label to make sure it's silicone-safe.

Hydrogen peroxide. A soak works great for deep cleaning. Just rinse well afterward.

70% isopropyl alcohol. Wipe down for quick disinfection. Again, rinse and let dry.

The beauty of platinum silicone? You don't have to treat it like fine china. It's tough. It's heat-resistant. It won't fall apart after three months like those cheap jelly toys. Ever tried a dual density silicone dildo? That soft-on-the-outside, firm-on-the-inside feeling only works with premium silicone—and it holds up beautifully to proper cleaning.

What NOT to Do (Common Mistakes That'll Ruin Your Toy)

Let me save you some heartbreak (and money).

Don't use bleach. Yeah, it kills germs. It also destroys silicone. Hard pass.

Don't use acetone or harsh solvents unless you really know what you're doing. Some advanced users do it to remove odors, but for everyday cleaning? Not necessary.

Don't boil electronic toys. I really shouldn't have to say this, but I will. Please don't put your vibrator in boiling water. That's how you get a melted mess and a very sad story.

Don't use silicone-based lube. We'll get into this more in a minute, but for now: silicone + silicone = bad news.

Don't store it dirty. Clean it before you put it away. Every. Single. Time.

Don't use scented or fancy hand soaps. Those extra fragrances and additives can leave residue and cause irritation.

Don't use abrasive scrubbers. Steel wool? No. Rough sponges? No. Your toy is soft. Use your hands or a soft cloth.

Don't rush drying. Let it breathe. Air-drying prevents moisture disasters.

Let's Talk Lube (Because This Is Important)

One of the biggest mistakes people make is grabbing whatever lube is cheapest or prettiest without checking if it plays nice with silicone.

Here's the golden rule: Use water-based lube with silicone toys.

Why? Because silicone-based lubes can actually break down your toy's surface. Seriously. The chemical structure is similar enough that it can cause a reaction—making your toy sticky, tacky, or even swollen and degraded over time.

Some high-end silicone toys might hold up better, but why risk it? There are tons of amazing water-based lubes out there. They're safe, easy to clean, and won't ruin your investment.

Water-based lube works with everything—condoms, silicone toys, even your own hands. The only downside? You might need to reapply during longer sessions. Big deal.

So do yourself a favor. Stick with water-based. Your toy will thank you. And your wallet will too when you're not replacing a melted dildo.

How to Store Your Silicone Dildos (Without Ruining Them)

Okay, your toy is clean and dry. Now what? You can't just toss it in a drawer with your other stuff and call it a day.

Keep it separate. Silicone doesn't always play nice with other materials. If you store two silicone toys touching each other (especially lower-grade ones), they can actually react and melt together over time. People have opened their drawers to find what looks like a silicone crime scene. Don't let that be you.

Use a bag. A cotton, silk, or satin pouch is perfect. It keeps off dust and lint (silicone is a magnet for pet hair), and it prevents toy-on-toy contact. Most toys come with a storage bag. Use it. That's what it's for.

Keep it cool and dark. Heat and sunlight break down silicone over time. Don't store toys on a windowsill or near a heater. A cool, dark drawer is perfect.

No extreme temps. Hot cars, freezing garages? Not great.

Make sure it's bone-dry before storing. Have I said this yet? I'll say it again. Moisture = mold. Mold = throwing away a perfectly good toy and being sad about it.

Consider a lockbox if you have nosy roommates. Not everyone lives alone. A small lockable case gives you peace of mind. Some fancy ones even have UV sterilizers and charging ports. Totally optional, but very James Bond.

Dealing With Weird Smells (It Happens)

Let's be real for a second. Sometimes, no matter how well you clean, your toy picks up a smell.

Maybe you used a scented soap. Maybe it absorbed some odor from storage. Maybe it's new and has that "just out of the mold" factory smell.

Don't panic. It happens. And it's fixable.

Here's what to do: Wash it a few times with unscented soap, boil it for a few minutes, then let it air out for a day or two. The smell will fade.

If it's stubborn, try soaking it in a mix of 1 part white vinegar + 2 parts warm water for about 30 minutes. The vinegar smell will linger briefly, but it'll go away.

Whatever you do, don't seal it in an airtight container right after cleaning. Odors need to escape. Give it room to breathe.

The good news? Platinum silicone resists permanent odors way better than porous materials like TPE. With silicone, smells are almost always surface-level and temporary.

Why Sustory Only Does Platinum Silicone

By now, you probably get why we're so picky about materials.

We could make cheaper toys. We could use TPE or jelly rubber and charge half the price. Lots of companies do exactly that. And sure, those toys seem like a good deal—until they start falling apart, trapping bacteria, or giving you a rash.

But that's not who we are.

We believe that what you put in your body—or even just up against it—should be safe. No compromises. No hidden chemicals. No marketing BS.

That's why everything we make is from premium platinum silicone. It's the safest material out there. It's durable. Easy to clean. Hypoallergenic. Heat-resistant. And when you take care of it, it'll last you for years—actual years.

We don't do glass. We don't do stainless steel. Those are fine for other people, but they're not our thing. Our thing is silicone, and we are obsessed with getting it right.

Because your pleasure shouldn't come with a side of worry. You shouldn't have to wonder if your toy is safe, or if you cleaned it properly, or if that weird smell means something's wrong.

You should just be able to enjoy yourself. Guilt-free. Worry-free.

That's what Sustory is all about.

The Bottom Line

Taking care of your silicone toys isn't rocket science. But it does take a little effort.

You wouldn't neglect your car, your phone, or your favorite hoodie. So don't neglect your toys either.

Quick recap:

• Clean after every use with warm water + mild soap

• Rinse thoroughly and air dry completely

• Deep clean by boiling (for non-electronic toys)

• Use water-based lube only

• Store separately in a cool, dark place

• Let weird smells air out

Do all that, and your silicone toys will stay safe, clean, and ready whenever you are.

And remember: you deserve better than cheap, sketchy materials. You deserve platinum silicone. You deserve Sustory.

Now go have fun. And for the love of all that is holy, clean up afterward.

Got questions about silicone care? Drop 'em in the comments. And if you want to know what Sustory's cooking up next, sign up for our newsletter. No spam. Just the good stuff.