Care & Hygiene
How to Clean and Maintain Intimate Wellness Devices: The Material Care Guide
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Cleaning an intimate wellness device is less about strong products than about matching the routine to the device: its surface material, its water rating and its power supply. A waterproof silicone device can be washed under the tap, while a mains-powered wand must never go near running water. This guide sets out step-by-step routines for each case, the cleaners that suit each material, and how to store devices and look after their batteries and charging contacts.
Everything below is based on manufacturers’ published instructions for the devices we review and on general guidance for the materials involved. We have not run laboratory or microbiological tests. Always follow the manual supplied with your device first: where it differs from this guide, the manufacturer’s instructions apply.
The short answer
- Warm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap are enough for body-safe silicone and ABS surfaces; a dedicated cleaner from the manufacturer is an alternative.
- Avoid alcohol, solvents, bleach and abrasive pads: they can dry out, cloud or damage silicone and plastic surfaces.
- Check the water rating before rinsing: only IPX7 devices tolerate rinsing and brief immersion; mains-powered and non-waterproof wands are wiped, never rinsed.
- Dry completely before charging or storage, especially the charging port or magnetic contacts.
- Never boil or put a device with a battery or motor in the dishwasher.
Materials and cleaning compatibility
The devices we review combine a few materials: a body-safe silicone surface where the device touches the skin, a rigid ABS polymer housing, and, on the Doxy Die Cast Max, a painted die-cast aluminium body. All of them are non-porous, which is what makes thorough cleaning possible. The cleaner that suits one surface does not always suit the next.
| Material | Where you find it | Clean with | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body-safe silicone | Heads, arms and outer surfaces of most devices we review | Warm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap; a manufacturer’s dedicated cleaner | Alcohol and alcohol wipes, solvents, oils, abrasive pads, silicone-based lubricants |
| ABS polymer | Rigid housings, handles and control panels | A soft cloth with warm, soapy water, then a clean damp cloth | Solvents such as acetone, bleach, scouring pads |
| Painted die-cast metal | Body of the Doxy Die Cast Max | A damp, soft cloth, then dry immediately | Running water, abrasive pads and cleaners that can scratch the paint finish |
| Charging ports and magnetic contacts | Every rechargeable device | A dry, lint-free cloth | Moisture, metal objects, charging while wet |
Alcohol, solvents and silicone-based lubricants: alcohol (including denatured alcohol and alcohol wipes) and solvents can dry out or damage silicone and plastic surfaces, and most manufacturers advise against them. Silicone-based lubricants can degrade some silicone surfaces, which is why brands generally recommend a water-based lubricant with silicone devices. If you prefer an antibacterial soap, choose a mild, alcohol-free and fragrance-free one.
Silicone labels such as “medical-grade” are not protected terms for consumer products: our guide to body-safe silicone and materials explains what they do and do not guarantee.
Cleaning routines by water rating
The water rating decides how much water a device can take. Under the IEC 60529 standard, IPX7 means the device withstands immersion in up to 1 metre of water for up to 30 minutes. Some brands say “waterproof” without giving a rating, and some wands are not water-resistant at all. Our device engineering guide explains IP ratings in more detail, and the noise and decibel guide covers the acoustic side of each device family.
Waterproof devices (IPX7)
Most devices we review are rated IPX7, including the Womanizer Premium 2, the Lovense Lush 3 and the We-Vibe Sync 2. They can be rinsed under the tap:
- Switch off and disconnect. Turn the device off and unplug the charging cable before it gets wet.
- Wash with mild soap. Lather a mild, fragrance-free soap with lukewarm water and wash every surface, including grooves and the area around buttons.
- Rinse under lukewarm water. Rinse under lukewarm, not hot, running water until no soap remains. If the head is removable, as on some air-pulse models, the manual explains how to take it off and wash it separately.
- Dry with a lint-free cloth. Pat the device dry, then let it air-dry completely on a clean surface.
- Check the contacts before charging. Make sure the charging port or magnetic contacts are fully dry before you connect the cable.
A device described as waterproof without an IP rating, such as the LELO Dot, can be washed in the same way, but follow the manufacturer’s manual for how much water it tolerates.
Mains-powered and non-waterproof wands
The Doxy Die Cast Max runs on mains power and is only splash-protected; the Magic Wand Rechargeable is not waterproof. Neither should ever be rinsed or submerged. Clean them by wiping only:
- Switch off and unplug. Turn the wand off and disconnect it from the mains or from its charging cable before cleaning.
- Wipe the silicone head. Clean the head with a soft cloth dampened with warm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap. Wring the cloth out so that it is damp, not dripping. Do not try to pull off the head: on the Doxy it is bonded and must not be removed.
- Remove the soap. Wipe the head again with a clean cloth dampened with plain water.
- Wipe the body, keeping the electronics dry. Wipe the handle and controls with a barely damp cloth. Keep moisture away from the control unit, the cable entry, the charging port and any opening in the housing.
- Dry completely before use. Let the wand dry fully before plugging it in or charging it again.
Our Magic Wand vs Doxy Die Cast comparison sets out the other differences between these two wands, from power supply to auto shut-off.
Motor-free sensor trainers
The Elvie Trainer has no motor: it is a silicone-covered pod with sensors that charges in its carry case. The routine is simple, but drying matters because the case is also the charger:
- Remove the sizing cover. If you use the optional cover, take it off so that no water stays trapped between the two surfaces.
- Wash before and after each session. Wash the pod, the tail and the cover with warm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap.
- Rinse thoroughly. Rinse until no soap remains on any surface.
- Dry completely. Pat dry with a lint-free cloth and let the trainer air-dry fully before placing it back in its charging case.
- Keep it personal. A pelvic floor trainer is designed for one person and should not be shared.
The Perifit Care+ follows the same routine, with its removable collar in place of the sizing cover; it has no charging port, so there are no contacts to dry, but it should still be completely dry before storage. Our pelvic floor trainer guide covers what else to look for in a trainer, from app guidance to fit.
Storage and battery care
Most devices we review run on a rechargeable lithium-ion or lithium-polymer battery. Batteries age faster with heat and when left fully discharged for long periods, and moisture is the main risk for charging contacts.
- Store at room temperature: keep devices away from radiators, direct sunlight and hot cars.
- Use a breathable pouch: a cotton or satin pouch, or the case supplied with the device, protects it from dust; only put the device away once it is completely dry.
- Keep materials apart: store each device separately, away from products made of porous materials such as jelly or TPE.
- Dry and inspect the contacts: before charging, check that magnetic contacts or the charging port are dry and free of lint or debris, and use the cable supplied with the device.
- Top up during long storage: if a device stays unused for months, charge it from time to time rather than leaving it empty; your manual may give a specific interval.
- Use the travel lock if there is one: it stops the device from switching on in a bag.
- Stop charging if something looks wrong: if a device becomes unusually hot, swells or smells of burning while charging, unplug it and contact the manufacturer.
Mains-powered wands such as the Doxy Die Cast Max have no battery to look after: store the cable loosely coiled, without kinks, and check it for damage before each use.
When to replace a device
Non-porous materials last a long time with proper care, but no surface lasts for ever. Stop using a device and contact the manufacturer or replace it if you notice any of the following:
- a sticky, tacky or powdery silicone surface;
- cracks, tears or splits in the silicone, or a gap opening along a seam;
- marks or discolouration that cleaning no longer removes;
- a waterproof device that has let water in, or a charging port that shows corrosion.
How we wrote this guide
This guide brings together the care instructions published by the manufacturers of the devices we review, the IEC 60529 definitions of water ratings and general guidance for silicone, plastic and battery care. It does not rely on our own laboratory or microbiological testing, which we have not carried out. Read our editorial standards for details.
Frequently asked questions
Can you boil the silicone of a battery-powered device?
No. Boiling, steam and the dishwasher are only ever suggested for solid silicone products with no electronics inside. A device with a battery or a motor would be damaged, and its seals are not designed for heat. Wash it with warm water and a mild soap instead, following its water rating.
What type of soap should I use?
A mild, fragrance-free soap with warm water is enough for body-safe silicone and ABS surfaces. If you prefer an antibacterial soap, choose one without alcohol or strong fragrance, and rinse or wipe away all residue afterwards. A cleaner sold by the device’s manufacturer is also a good option.
How should I clean a device shared between partners?
Clean it before and after each use, following the routine for its water rating, and let it dry fully between uses. For extra hygiene, using a condom over a shared device is generally recommended. Do not try to disinfect it with alcohol, bleach or boiling unless the manufacturer says so. Devices designed for one person, such as pelvic floor trainers, should not be shared.
This guide provides general information and is not medical advice. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use, cleaning and charging. If you have irritation or a skin reaction, stop using the device and speak to a healthcare professional.