Intimate Product Hygiene Myths vs Facts

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personal guidance.

Hygiene advice for intimate products is one of those areas where well-meaning tips, outdated information, and outright myths circulate freely. Some people over-clean their products with harsh chemicals, potentially damaging the material. Others under-clean, assuming a quick wipe is sufficient. And a surprising number believe myths that can actively compromise their health. This guide separates fact from fiction with evidence-based hygiene advice for every type of intimate wellness product.

Myth 1: You Need Special Cleaning Products

The myth: You must purchase specialised intimate product cleaners or antibacterial sprays to properly clean your personal massager.

The reality: Warm water and mild, fragrance-free soap is all you need for routine cleaning of non-porous silicone products. This combination effectively removes body fluids, lubricant residue, and surface bacteria without leaving behind any chemicals that could irritate sensitive skin on subsequent use.

Specialised cleaning sprays are not harmful — they are simply unnecessary for quality silicone products. They are a solution to a problem that proper material choice has already solved. If your massager is made from non-porous, medical-grade silicone (like all MyMuse products), warm water and soap do the job completely.

Where specialised cleaners may have value is for porous materials (TPE, jelly rubber, PVC) that cannot be fully sanitised with soap and water. However, the better solution in that case is to replace the porous product with a non-porous silicone one rather than trying to compensate with stronger cleaning agents.

Myth 2: Boiling Your Massager Sterilises It

The myth: You can sterilise a personal massager by boiling it, the same way you might sterilise a baby bottle or kitchen utensil.

The reality: While uncoated silicone objects (like silicone kitchen utensils) can indeed be boiled for sterilisation, personal massagers contain electronic components — batteries, motors, circuit boards — that will be damaged or destroyed by boiling water. Even IPX7-rated products are designed for brief submersion, not prolonged exposure to 100-degree water.

Boiling can also warp or weaken the silicone housing, compromise waterproof seals, and cause irreversible damage to the charging mechanism. It is an effective sterilisation method for the wrong category of product.

For electronic intimate products, thorough washing with warm (not hot) water and mild soap is the correct cleaning method. If you want additional peace of mind, you can wipe the product with a damp cloth dampened with a very mild hydrogen peroxide solution (3%) and then rinse thoroughly — but this is optional, not necessary, for non-porous silicone.

Myth 3: A Quick Wipe Is Good Enough

The myth: Wiping a massager with a tissue or dry cloth after use is sufficient cleaning.

The reality: A dry wipe removes visible residue but does not remove the invisible layer of body fluids, lubricant, and bacteria that remains on the surface. This residue can dry onto the product and become harder to remove over time, and the bacteria present can multiply between uses.

Proper cleaning requires water and soap to break down and rinse away oils, fluids, and microbial residue. The IPX7 waterproofing on quality products like MyMuse massagers exists precisely to enable this thorough cleaning. Use it — that is what it is designed for.

The one scenario where a quick wipe might be acceptable as a temporary measure is when you plan to clean the product properly very soon (within the hour) but need a quick interim step. But even then, a damp wipe is better than a dry one.

Myth 4: Alcohol or Bleach Is the Best Sanitiser

The myth: Rubbing alcohol, bleach, or harsh disinfectants provide the deepest clean for intimate products.

The reality: Harsh chemicals can damage silicone, strip its smooth surface finish, and leave behind chemical residues that cause irritation on subsequent use. Alcohol can dry out and degrade certain materials over time. Bleach is corrosive and its residue is particularly harmful for intimate contact.

These cleaning agents are designed for hard surfaces like countertops, not for products that will contact sensitive tissue. The antibacterial properties of these chemicals are unnecessary for non-porous silicone, which does not allow bacteria to penetrate the surface in the first place. Soap and water effectively remove surface bacteria without the risks associated with harsh chemicals.

Myth 5: Silicone Cannot Harbour Bacteria

The myth: Because silicone is non-porous, it is inherently bacteria-free and does not need careful cleaning.

The reality: It is true that non-porous silicone does not allow bacteria to embed within the material — unlike porous materials where bacteria can hide inside microscopic holes. However, bacteria, body fluids, and lubricant residue can absolutely sit on the surface of silicone if not washed away.

Non-porous means the surface can be fully cleaned — not that it cleans itself. The practical benefit of non-porous silicone is that when you do clean it with soap and water, you achieve a genuinely clean surface. With porous materials, even thorough cleaning cannot reach bacteria trapped within the material itself.

Myth 6: You Only Need to Clean After Use

The myth: Cleaning after use is sufficient; there is no need to clean before use.

The reality: Cleaning before use is almost as important as cleaning after. Between uses, even a properly cleaned product can accumulate dust, lint from storage materials, or environmental contaminants. Additionally, if the post-use cleaning was not perfectly thorough, the pre-use wash catches anything that was missed.

The ideal hygiene routine is: clean before use, use the product, clean after use, dry thoroughly, and store properly. This complete cycle ensures the product is hygienic at every stage.

Myth 7: Storing Products Together Is Fine

The myth: You can store multiple intimate products together in the same drawer or bag without issue.

The reality: Silicone-to-silicone contact can sometimes cause surface reactions over extended periods, especially if the products are made from different silicone formulations. This can manifest as stickiness, discolouration, or surface degradation. Store each product in its own pouch, case, or bag — most quality products come with a storage pouch for exactly this reason.

Additionally, storing products loose in a drawer exposes them to dust, lint, and potential contact with other materials (metal jewellery, other toiletries) that could scratch or contaminate the surface. Proper storage in individual pouches maintains both hygiene and material integrity.

Myth 8: If It Does Not Smell, It Is Clean

The myth: The absence of an unpleasant odour means the product is clean and safe to use.

The reality: Many bacteria and biological residues are odourless, especially in the early stages. A product that looks and smells clean may still have a surface layer of dried body fluids or bacteria that are not detectable by sight or smell. Proper washing with soap and water is always necessary regardless of how the product looks or smells.

Conversely, if a product does develop an unusual or persistent odour despite thorough cleaning, this may indicate material degradation (in cheaper products) or that the product is made from a porous material that has absorbed contaminants. A quality silicone product that is properly cleaned should have virtually no odour.

The Correct Cleaning Routine

Here is a straightforward, evidence-based cleaning routine for silicone personal massagers:

1. Before use: Rinse under warm running water for 15-20 seconds.
2. After use: Apply a small amount of mild, fragrance-free soap. Gently clean all surfaces, paying attention to any textured areas or seams. Rinse thoroughly under warm water until all soap is removed.
3. Drying: Pat the product dry with a clean, lint-free cloth. Allow to air dry completely before storing — this prevents moisture from being trapped in the storage pouch.
4. Storage: Place in the provided pouch or a clean, breathable storage bag. Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight.

Intimate Product Hygiene Myths: Your Questions Answered

Written by the MyMuse Editorial Team

Last updated: February 2026