Cleaning, storage, and when to throw it out
Washing removes what is on the surface. Sterilizing removes what is in it. Only some materials allow the second one.
Sterilization by material
| Material | Boiling | Dishwasher | Bleach solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platinum-cure silicone | 3–5 min | Top rack, no detergent | 10% for 10 min |
| Borosilicate glass | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 316L stainless steel | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ABS plastic | Warps | Warps | Surface only |
| TPE / TPR | Melts | Melts | Degrades |
| PVC jelly | Melts | Melts | Degrades |
Anything motorised is hand-wash only. Boiling or submerging a rechargeable item destroys the seal around the charging contacts and the motor housing. Wipe the body with a damp cloth and unscented soap, keep water away from the port, and dry fully before charging.
What destroys silicone
Silicone lubricant is the main one. It bonds to the silicone surface and degrades it permanently, producing a tacky finish that no amount of washing reverses. Water-based lubricant is the only universally safe choice for silicone.
Storage contact is the second. Two silicone items pressed against each other in a drawer can chemically interact and fuse, and silicone stored against certain plastics can pick up their plasticizers. Store each item separately in a cotton bag or its own container, never sealed in plastic while damp.
Alcohol and harsh solvents are the third. Isopropyl alcohol dries and embrittles silicone over repeated use. Soap and water, then heat.
Storage
Clean, fully dry, individually bagged, out of direct sunlight, at room temperature. Damp storage is the single most common cause of a product that smells wrong six months later. Silica gel packets in the storage container are cheap and effective.
When to replace
Non-porous items in good condition do not have an expiry. Porous items do, and these are the signals that it has arrived.
- Surface tack or stickiness that returns after washing
- Any change in colour, particularly yellowing or darkening
- A chemical or sour smell that survives cleaning
- Visible cracking, splitting, pitting, or a change in texture
- An oily film on the surface, which indicates plasticizer migration
- For glass: any chip, crack, or scratch, no matter how small
Damaged glass is retired immediately. A chip creates an edge and a crack creates a fracture plane. There is no safe repair and no acceptable amount of remaining use.
Questions
Are toy cleaner sprays necessary?
No. They are a convenience product, roughly equivalent to soap and water on a non-porous surface, and they do nothing for a porous one that soap would not. Unscented soap and warm water covers ordinary cleaning; heat covers sterilization.
Can I share a porous item?
Not safely, because it cannot be sterilized between users. If a porous item is shared, a fresh barrier for each person is the minimum harm-reduction step, and replacing the item with a non-porous one is the actual solution.
How often should I sterilize rather than wash?
Wash before and after every use. Sterilize a non-porous item when it has been stored for a long period, after any shared use, or any time you are uncertain about its history.