How to Clean a LELO Vibrator: The Official Protocol, Step by Step

By Jake Turner  ·  Senior Editor  ·  April 2025

Cleaning a LELO vibrator correctly preserves both hygiene and the toy’s material integrity. LELO’s silicone surface can be degraded by the wrong cleaning products — specifically alcohol, petroleum-based cleaners, and acetone — which turn a hygienic cleaning attempt into a form of slow material damage. The following protocol is based directly on LELO’s official user manual guidance, supplemented with sexual health best practice for non-porous silicone toys.

Clean Before Storage, Not Just After Use

LELO’s official documentation recommends cleaning both before and after each use. This is important: “after use before storage” is the minimum standard for hygiene, but “before use after storage” is the practice that ensures you’re always using a clean toy — even if any contamination occurred during the storage period. Even a toy stored in pristine conditions benefits from a quick rinse before use, particularly if it has been stored for more than a few weeks. This pre-use cleaning habit takes seconds and provides meaningful additional protection.

The reason LELO’s documentation is explicit about both directions is that their silicone is non-porous — it won’t harbor bacteria within the material, but surface contamination from storage (dust, contact with other surfaces) can occur. A quick warm water rinse before use removes any surface debris that accumulated during storage, regardless of how careful your storage setup is.

The Official Step-by-Step Cleaning Protocol

Based on LELO’s user manuals across their product line, the following is the standard cleaning protocol:

Step 1 — Disconnect from power. Ensure the toy is not connected to its charging cable. Never clean while connected.

Step 2 — Rinse with warm water. For IPX7-rated models (most current LELO products), hold the toy under warm running water. Avoid boiling water — LELO does not recommend this and it is not necessary for non-porous silicone. Warm water (not hot) is appropriate.

Step 3 — Apply cleaner. Apply LELO’s Toy Cleaning Spray directly to the toy surface, or create a mild soapy lather using a fragrance-free, pH-neutral soap on your hands and apply to the toy. Work the cleaner into all surfaces, including any ridges, contours, or textured areas.

Step 4 — Rinse thoroughly. Rinse under warm running water until no soap residue remains. Soap residue on intimate items can cause irritation. LELO’s documentation emphasizes thorough rinsing.

Step 5 — Pat dry. Use a clean, lint-free cloth to pat the toy dry. Avoid paper towels, which can leave fiber deposits on the silicone surface. LELO recommends lint-free cloth specifically.

Step 6 — Air dry completely before storage. Even after patting dry, allow the toy to air dry in an open space for at least 30 minutes before sealing it in a storage pouch or box. The charging port area in particular needs to be completely dry before the next charging session.

Cleaning Around the Charging Port

The charging port area requires specific attention because it’s typically the most vulnerable point for water infiltration on even IPX7-rated devices. LELO’s documentation notes explicitly that the charging port must be completely dry before connecting the charging cable. When cleaning, avoid directing high-pressure water flow directly into the charging port. After cleaning, orient the toy with the charging port facing down to allow any water in or around the port area to drain naturally. Allow additional air-drying time — at least 30 minutes after patting dry — before charging.

The contacts in LELO’s proprietary charging port can develop corrosion over time if repeatedly connected while wet or with residual moisture. This corrosion manifests as slow charging, intermittent charging connections, or eventual charging failure — none of which are covered under LELO’s warranty if caused by moisture damage.

Products That Damage LELO Silicone

LELO’s official documentation explicitly lists three categories of cleaning products that will damage the silicone surface: alcohol (isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, alcohol-based disinfectant wipes), petroleum-based products (petrol, mineral oil), and acetone. These chemicals strip the silicone’s surface properties, causing it to become permanently sticky, discolored, or to lose its structural integrity over time. Bleach — not explicitly mentioned in most LELO manuals we reviewed — should also be avoided, as it can cause silicone discoloration and is unnecessary for non-porous surfaces that soap and water can fully clean.

Silicone-based lubricants deserve a separate mention because they are frequently used with sex toys and can seem like a natural pairing with silicone toys. LELO explicitly warns against them: silicone lube can cause permanent surface tackiness on silicone toys. If silicone lubricant has been used and is present on the toy surface, clean as soon as possible with mild soap and warm water to minimize contact time.

Drying Completely Before Storage

This step is consistently under-emphasized but is one of the most hygienically important. A LELO toy sealed in its satin storage pouch before it is fully dry creates a warm, humid micro-environment that promotes bacterial growth on the toy surface during storage — even on non-porous silicone, which can still have surface bacteria grow on it without penetrating the material. “Dry” means no visible moisture and no tactile dampness on any part of the surface, including seams, textured areas, and the charging port area. A full 30-60 minutes of air drying after patting dry is the appropriate standard before storage.

Store Your Clean LELO in the Home in Bold Box

Frequently Asked Questions