How Long Do Sex Toys Last? How Often To Replace Your Vibrator?

Like everything else you love, sex toys don’t last forever. Some are sturdy enough to stick with you for years—others are more like a fling, fun while it lasts but destined for early retirement. The tricky part is knowing when your favorite rabbit has hopped its last hop or when that jelly dildo in your drawer has officially overstayed its welcome.

The good news? With the right care, you can keep your toys safe, clean, and in action for much longer. Here’s your no-nonsense guide to how long sex toys last, how to take care of them, and the telltale signs it’s time to let one go.

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Toy TLC: General Maintenance Tips

A little love goes a long way. Think of your toys as your “battery-operated besties”—they’ll keep taking care of you if you take care of them.

• Inspect before play. Look for cracks, tears, sharp edges, or motor issues.

• Clean before and after. Warm water + antibacterial soap works for most toys (check the care instructions for specifics).

• Sterilize when you can. Non-motorized silicone or glass toys can be boiled for 2–3 minutes to kill germs.

• Store batteries separately. Avoid corrosion disasters.

• Pick the right lube. Water-based lube is safe with everything. Silicone lube will ruin silicone, TPR, RealSkin, or jelly toys.

• Keep toys separate. Wrap in cloth or use storage bags so materials don’t “melt” into each other (especially jelly).

• Mind the heat. If your toy gets hot while running, switch it off immediately.

Jelly & Soft Rubber Toys

Jelly toys are cheap, flexible, and fun—but they don’t last long. Because they’re porous, bacteria can build up even if you clean them well.

• Lifespan: About 1 year with good care.

• Check for: Cracks, sticky texture, discoloration, or lingering odor.

• Pro tip: If lint, dust, or hair clings to it even after washing, that’s your sign to toss it.

Rubber toys are slightly tougher but still porous. Treat them the same way: if it starts looking cloudy or tacky, it’s time to say goodbye.

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Glass, Plastic & Acrylic Toys

Glass toys aren’t just pretty—they’re nearly indestructible when made from borosilicate (the same stuff as Pyrex).

• Non-porous, hypoallergenic, and sterilizable.

• Can last a lifetime if you don’t drop them onto a hard surface, like concrete.

• Bonus: perfect for temperature play—heat them up or chill them down safely.

Hard plastic and acrylic toys also last years. They’re durable and non-porous but can eventually crack if dropped or heavily used. Rule of thumb: if it’s not cracked, chipped, or broken, it’s good to go.

Silicone, TPR & RealSkin

Silicone: The gold standard. Non-porous, hypoallergenic, body-safe, and built to last. With proper care, silicone toys can easily last decades.

Care Tips for Silicone Toys:

• Always use water-based lube (silicone lube can degrade the material).

• Clean with warm water and mild soap, or sterilize by boiling for 2–3 minutes (if there’s no motor).

• Store separately to prevent dust or lint buildup.

TPR/RealSkin: Softer, squishier, and more “lifelike”—but also more delicate. They’re porous, can tear if stretched, and need extra care.

Care Tips for RealSkin & TPR Toys:

• Always use water-based lube.

• Store separately in a cloth bag.

• Use renewal powders (like Fleshlight powder) to keep them soft and fresh.

Lifespan: TPR/RealSkin toys last up to 5 years with careful use, sometimes longer. Silicone toys, when cared for properly, can last decades.

Our Favorite Cleaners:

Keeping your toys clean isn’t just about longevity—it’s about your health. These are some customer favorites:

Recommended: Fleshlight Renew Powder

To help keep your Fleshlight™ and Fanta Flesh products, well, fresh!

Recommended: Swiss Navy Toy & Body Cleaner

This universal toy cleaner by Swiss Navy contains natural ingredients sure to keep your fresh and germ-free! 

Recommended: Tootimid.com Foaming Toy Cleaner

This universal foaming toy cleaner by Tootimid.com contains gentle, antibacterial ingredients sure to keep your fresh and germ-free! 

Recommended: Green Foam Toy Cleaner

This is a really good one for the sensitive skin folks. The Intimate Earth Foaming toy Cleaner is great fast acting cleaner! Foaming cleaners are good for a truly deep clean on any kind of toy; silicone, glass, steel and plastic!

The Bottom Line

Some toys are flings. Some are long-term loves. And a few—like glass and stainless steel—can actually last forever if you treat them right. The key is knowing what material you’re working with, keeping things clean, and retiring toys that show signs of wear.

If your favorite toy feels sticky, smells off, cracks, or just doesn’t spark joy (or orgasms) anymore—it’s time to let it go. The upside? Shopping for a shiny new one can be almost as exciting as playing with it!

How Long Do You Keep Your Toys?
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