Skip to content
Use Code LOVE10 for 10% Off | FREE DISCREET SHIPPING ON $49+
Use Code LOVE10 For 10% Off
FREE DISCREET SHIPPING ON $49+

How To Store Sex Toys: The Definitive Guide

Dr. Lisa Lawless

Dr. Lisa Lawless, CEO of Holistic Wisdom
Clinical Psychotherapist: Relationship & Sexual Health Expert

Sex Toy Storage

Sex Toy Storage Is Important

Let's chat about something vital yet often overlooked: the best ways to store your sex toys! Keeping them in tip-top shape and secure means keeping them clean, running well, their materials in good condition, and away from prying eyes. This guide will review everything you need to know about the ideal ways and places to store your sex toys.

Where Do Most People Store Sex Toys?

Where do most people store their sex toys? In a recent survey of 100 people that we conducted, here are the top seven places people keep their sex toys:

1) Bedside Drawer: 35%

The bedside drawer is a popular choice as it's easily accessible and typically private. You can add locks to drawers or put things in a lockable case. Some even opt for a false bottom to keep things really discreet. 

2) Closet: 20%

Sex toys were often stored in the closet in a box or a bag to keep them discreet. While this is not as easily accessible, it can easily be taken out before playtime. There are a variety of storage options using this location.

3) Under the Bed: 15%

A storage box designed for under-bed storage can be a discreet and space-efficient option. It may be easier to access than the closet and allow for more room than a bed stand.

4) Storage Boxes: 10%

Storage boxes specifically designed for sex toys, offering organization and discretion. Often, these come with handles, compartments and are waterproof so even lubricants can be easily stored. 

5) Lockable Containers: 10%

For those who require extra privacy, adding a lock into the mix can keep sex toys secure from the prying eyes of children, roommates, and cleaning services. 

6) Bathroom Cabinet: 5%

A bathroom cabinet can be a practical choice, especially if the toys are used primarily in the bathroom. With waterproof sex toys, having easy access to them for use in the shower or bath makes using them easy and discreet.

7) Original Packaging: 5%

Using the original packaging of sex toys is popular when it is designed for long-term storage. Some sex toys come with storage pouches or packaging that makes it easy to store them. However, keep in mind your sex toys should be allowed to breathe to prevent bacteria, mold, and fungus from growing on them. 

question mark in bedroom on hiding sex toysFAQs About Storing Sex Toys

What are the most commonly asked questions on sex toy storage? Let's explore what most people want to know and explore it all so that you can become an empowered and safe sex toy connoisseur! First, let's review the most popular questions:

  • How do you store sex toys safely without damaging their materials?
  • How do you clean and store sex toys properly to prevent the accumulation of bacteria or mold?
  • What are the best ways to hide sex toys and keep them secure from prying eyes?
  • What are the best ways to organize sex toys with multiple types, sizes, and shapes?
  • What are the ideal temperature and humidity levels to store sex toys to avoid damage?
  • How do you pack sex toys discreetly while traveling?
  • How do you store sex toys to preserve battery life and functionality?
  • What sex toys cannot be stored together to avoid them chemically with each other?

hiding sex toys question marks on bedstandBest Place To Store Sex Toys

Having your sex toys within easy reach is a smart move. It means you won't have to pause the passion to go hunting for your favorite love accessories. Think of it as keeping the fun flowing without any unnecessary interruptions.

Keep Them In The Night Stand

One of the most common places for people to hide sex toys is in their humble nightstands. It's super convenient, especially since many drawers let you sneak charging cables inside from the back of the nightstand. Thus, not only are your toys out of sight but they can also be charged up and ready for when you need them. It's all about keeping things organized and discreet while ensuring everything's powered up and ready to go.

If you are concerned about someone snooping around in your nightstand, you can use a lockable box that is easy for you to open but requires a combination. It's easy to open, yet it keeps your sexy treasures safe with a combination or keyed lock.

Want to up the security? Think about adding a lock to your nightstand drawers. It's a savvy move for peace of mind, and I'll guide you through more details later in this guide.

Storage Bins

Non-transparent storage bins are a discreet choice, perfect for sliding under your bed. Remember that if you've got little kids at home, they might become treasure hunters under there! To keep curious little hands at bay, consider a lockable storage bin. It's a smart move to keep your personal items private.

Clever Ways To Hide Your Sex Toys

If you are concerned that someone may come across your sex toy collection, there are several discreet sex toy storage options, such as hiding them in a pillow that has a special hidden compartment or storing them in a special sex toy storage bag under clothing hanging in your closet. Here is a list of clever places to hide sex toys:

  • Decorative pillow with zipper and space for your toy.
  • Use a book safe / hollowed-out books.
  • Inside a false bottom drawer.
  • Use a stuffed animal with a secret pocket.
  • Use storage boxes or baskets with lids in plain sight that are labeled using mundane descriptions like "Academic Textbooks."
  • Place inside a box of tampons or pads.

temperature and humidity for sex toys using a hygrometer and wall thermometerChoosing The Ideal Environment

The ideal temperature and humidity levels for storing sex toys depend on the material from which they are made. Generally, a cool, dry, and dark place is recommended for most sex toys. Below are some specific guidelines for storing your sex toys:

Temperature & Light

A reasonable room temperature, around 20°C (68°F), is typically ideal for sex toy storage. Avoid storing sex toys in places that can get very hot or cold, as extreme temperatures can degrade materials like silicone, rubber, plastic, or latex. This can also impact battery performance for insertable batteries or internal ones on rechargeable sex toys.

Conditions for lithium-ion batteries found in rechargeable sex toys do best in temperatures between 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). The ideal humidity levels for lithium-ion batteries are typically between 30% and 60% Relative Humidity (RH).

Also, keep in mind that direct sunlight can damage or fade sex toy materials over time due to heat or light exposure, so keeping them in a darker place is a good idea.

Humidity

A low-humidity environment is best for storing sex toys because higher humidity levels can encourage mold and bacteria growth, especially on porous toys. A humidity level between 40-60% is often recommended for most sex toys.

Specific Sex Toy Material Considerations

Silicone Sex Toys

Silicone sex toys are generally less sensitive to temperature and humidity, but it is always a good idea to keep them in a cool, dry place. Silicone products are known for their durability, making them suitable for various storage environments. However, it's generally recommended to store silicone for long-term storage in a temperature range of 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F).

Avoid storing silicone in extremely hot conditions, as prolonged exposure to high temperatures can eventually cause the silicone to become less flexible or degrade.

Silicone is also resistant to water and moisture, but storing it in levels between 40% and 60% prevents any potential issues with other materials that may be in contact with the silicone that might be susceptible to mold or mildew in high-humidity environments.

Glass Sex Toys

Schott borosilicate glass is what we use to make our glass dildos, so we cannot advise you on how to store inferior glass sex toys. Our glass dildos can withstand significant temperature variations, but the ideal temperature range is typically between 10°C and 30°C (50°F to 86°F). However, even if these limits are exceeded, our glass dildos should be unaffected. Borosilicate glass is not particularly sensitive to humidity and can be stored at any humidity level.

Metal Sex Toys

Our stainless steel sex toys are made with premium 316-grade stainless steel. For these products, room temperature is typically sufficient. However, keep in mind that extreme hot and cold temperatures are generally not a concern.

When it comes to stainless steel, it is crucial to maintain a low-humidity environment. While 316-grade stainless steel is resistant to rust and corrosion, prolonged exposure to high humidity can still cause damage. Thus, the ideal humidity should be below 50% to 60%. This minimizes the chance of moisture condensing on the metal, which could lead to corrosion over time.

Jelly, TPE & TPR Sex Toys

Soft elastomer materials are more sensitive to temperature and humidity. They should be stored in a dry place to prevent them from becoming sticky or degrading.

TPE and TPR are best kept in environments where the temperature range is between 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). Extreme temperatures and exceptionally high heat can cause TPE or TPR sex toys to become softer and lose their shape, while extreme cold can make them more brittle.

A relative humidity level of 40% to 60% is generally recommended. High humidity can lead to mold growth or material degradation, while low moisture might cause the material to dry out, losing its flexibility.

Latex & Rubber Sex Toys

Latex and rubber's ideal temperature and humidity range is the same as TPE and TPR. Extreme hot and cold temperatures can cause latex or rubber to degrade faster. Hot temperatures can make these materials lose their elasticity, while cold temperatures and dry environments can make them brittle.

    Locking Sex Toy Storage In Drawers

    Drawer Latches

    If you want to keep children out of your drawers, you can purchase easy-to-install drawer latches commonly used during childproofing to keep your curious child from accessing off-limit areas. They are installed easily inside cabinets and drawers, making them invisible from the outside.

    Creating A Lock On A Drawer

    Various online tutorials allow you to create a lock for a drawer using magnets, latches, and other creative solutions. The most common two are magnet locks and latch locks. Magnetic locks are great for childproofing, while keyed latch locks offer a bit more security. Latch locks can be external or internal and used with a key or combination.

    Different Drawer Locks

    Magnetic Lock System For Drawers & Cabinets

    A magnetic lock system includes a magnetic key and a latch. The magnetic system is discreet and easy to install. The magnetic key is used on the outside of the drawer and is placed in line with the latch to open it. The magnet should be strong enough to release the latch when held close. There are a variety of brands; however, if you want something very secure, we recommend a brand like Maglocks.

    Magnetic Drawer Locks

    Key Locks For Drawers & Cabinets

    A traditional latch can be locked with a key and is more secure. If your drawer doesn't have a pre-existing hole for a lock, you may need to drill one. They are pretty easy to install, as shown below:

    Installing A Drawer Lock Instructions

    False Bottom Drawers

    You can purchase nightstands that have preexisting false bottom drawers or create one. When creating one, make sure you create a method to lift it, such as a small knob, a magnetic latch, or even a hidden notch to insert a finger to retrieve your items easily.

    If there's no existing ledge, you may need to create one by attaching small strips of wood along the inside edges of the drawer. If you really want to get creative, you can attach it with hinges at one end, allowing it to swing open.

    False Bottom Drawers

    Drawer Dividers

    A smart tip for keeping your intimate accessories in tip-top shape is to use drawer dividers in a nightstand to separate compartments. Slip an absorbent hand towel or washcloth under these dividers to pull away any moisture from your sex toys. Dividing sex toys in this way offers a few benefits:

    Avoid Chemical Interactions

    Separating sex toys prevents sex toys from touching each other, which can keep chemical interactions from occurring, as well as avoid cross-contamination.

    Easy Accessibility

    With drawer dividers, each sex toy has its designated place, making it easier to find what you're looking for during sexy moments without having to rummage through a cluttered drawer.

    Reduce Tangles & Damage To Cords

    If your sex toys have cords or come with accessories, dividers help keep everything untangled, in good condition, and easy to find.

    drawer dividers for sex toys

    Organizing Large Sex Toy Collections

    If you are an avid sex toy collector, you may want to consider grouping toys by your most used or their type — vibrators, dildos, anal toys, etc. to make it easier to find.

    Use dedicated storage solutions like boxes, drawers, or bags to separate and organize toys. Consider using labels or color-coded individual bags for each toy to prevent material interaction and be able to identify the type of sex toys.

    usb cords labeled to separate sex toys Setting Up A Charging Station

    Setting up a sex toy charging station in your storage area can be convenient if you use rechargeable toys. To install one in a drawer, run wires from behind the nightstand or dresser into the drawer. Use an existing hole or create one in the back to allow charging inside the drawer for discretion.

    sex toy charging station

    Clean Your Sex Toys Before Storing

    Cleaning your sex toys before you put them away is important, as not doing so can contribute to an infection or STD. There is a lot to know about cleaning sex toys properly, depending on the material it is made out of and how you are using it.

    Thus, please make sure to check out our comprehensive guide on How To Clean Sex Toys, which details everything you want to know about making sure they are safe to use.

    Make Sure Sex Toys Are Dry

    Before you put your sex toy away, make sure that it has been allowed to air dry thoroughly or that it will be stored where it can air dry. This will prevent moisture-causing bacteria, mold, and mildew from growing on it.

    Consider Moisture Removing Packs

    Consider storing your sex toys with moisture removers to remove any moisture that may be in or around your sex toy to keep it dry and free of bacteria, mold, or fungus. There are two commonly used types:

    1. Silica packs, which often come inside medications and vitamins, are available in a variety of sizes and are great for putting in sex toy drawers, storage bags, and more to keep moisture down. They typically contain granular silicic acid resembling sand or tiny gel beads. Silica gel is non-toxic and made from silicon dioxide, which is a compound naturally found in sand.

    2. Other types of moisture removers, such as brands like DampRid, use non-toxic inorganic mineral salts called calcium chloride that naturally absorb moisture from the air.

    UV Sanitizer Options

    You can always opt to get a cleaning system that uses ultraviolet light to safely sanitize your intimate playthings. These are similar to those used for cell phone sanitizing but with room for large sex toys.

    UVC is the most energetic of the UV spectrum, but it can degrade polymers in sex toys, potentially causing microcracks that harbor harmful microorganisms. Also, the effectiveness of UV cleaning requires the light to reach every part of the sex toy.

    In addition, shadows and crevices can make it more difficult to disinfect a sex toy in this way thoroughly. UV light is effective on clear, porous toys but less on solid-colored ones, as it cannot penetrate deep pores. 

    Allow Sex Toys To Breathe

    Ever wonder where you should stash your sex toys? Many people do not give it as much thought as it deserves. Some even make mistakes, like putting them into a ziplock bag. Why is this a bad idea? Well, these non-breathable spots can become a playground for bacteria, mold, and even mildew!

    The most important aspect of good sex toy storage is to opt for solutions that let your sex toys breathe with air circulation. This way, your toys stay dry and ready for play. That is why we recommend using breathable storage bags to allow air to get to them and keep them dry.

    Moisture from having washed your sex toys can linger and contribute to your sex toys developing bacteria, mold, and mildew while they are in storage. Storing them in breathable bags or storage devices will help prevent that.

    Keep Sex Toys Separate

    Let's answer the question of how you store sex toys safely without damaging their materials. Some sex toys should ideally be kept separate from one another because sex toy materials such as soft elastomers such as TPE, TPR, or jelly can interact with one another, causing chemical reactions that can discolor and even melt your sex toys.

    There are a few exceptions to this such as glass, metal, and pure silicone sex toys, which can be stored together without having a chemical reaction. However, this leads us to bring up the problem of assuming your sex toy is silicone. Unfortunately, there are sex toy manufacturers and retailers that claim to sell silicone sex toys when they are not made out of silicone.

    Some may blatantly lie about it, while others may mislead you by telling you it is a silicone blend. Such materials are porous and fall under the category of materials such as soft elastomers, such as TPE or TPR. Examples of non-silicone sex toys that sound like they are made of silicone are TPR-Silicone, Cyber-Silicone, and Silicone-Elastomer Blends.

    The bottom line is if a sex toy is not 100% silicone, do not store it with other sex toys. If you are unsure, err on the side of keeping them separate.

    See our How To Tell If Your Sex Toy Is Silicone Guide.

    How To Store Sex Toys Separately

    You can use a variety of things to store your sex toys separately. From putting socks over them to using breathable sex toy storage bags, you can ensure that the sex toys do not touch one another but can breathe and keep dry.

    And for a no-fuss solution, consider a storage container designed to keep each toy in its own special spot. Simple, right? It's all about giving your intimate gadgets their own little spaces.

    Storing sex toys

    Using Over-Door Or Other Organizers

    If you use organizers such as shoe organizers or larger compartments on the back of a door or elsewhere, make sure they are cloth, as plastic does not allow a sex toy to breathe.

    Storage Boxes

    If you choose storage boxes, ensure they have built-in ventilation, such as those with small air holes. These can be placed in closets, under the bed, or in other discreet locations while allowing your sex toys to have access to air.

    sex toy storage baskets

    Decorative Baskets

    If you decide to use baskets with lids made of breathable materials like wicker or bamboo, make sure that you protect your sex toys from any stains used in them, as they can cause a chemical interaction or discolor them.

    The Best Sex Toy Storage Bags

    Looking for a clever and hygienic way to stash your favorite sex toys? Our innovative Sugar Saks come with a unique antimicrobial coating. This protective layer is specially designed to shield your intimate accessories from bacteria, mold, and other yuckiness, ensuring a safer storage solution.

    Sex Toy Storage Bags

    Sugar Saks

    Dive into our collection and give your sex toys the care they deserve: Sugar Saks Sex Toy Storage Bags.

    Preserve Sex Toy Battery Life & More

    Preserving battery life in your sex toy will depend on what type of batteries you are using. Different rules also apply to rechargeable sex toys and those that are electric. Please see the guides below for helpful education:

    Traveling With Sex Toys

    If you want to know how to discreetly travel with sex toys, make sure to check out helpful considerations through our Traveling With Sex Toys Guide.

    suitcases with sex toysWhere To Find Sex Toy Storage Options

    Now that you know how to store your sex toys, make sure to see our Sex Toy Storage Products to keep your sex toys dry, safe, and ready to perform.

    bedroom with sex toy coupon on bed stand

    Don't Forget Our Special Coupon!

    Enjoy our 15% off coupon to buy any of our nontoxic, body-safe sex toys on your entire order, including our sale prices! Use coupon code: STORAGE15

    Previous article Strap-on Sex Harness Guide