How to Clean a Fleshlight – Clean, Dry, Refresh, Care & Tips Tutorial

man cleaning floor

I’m not going to lie: cleaning your Fleshlight is a bit of a pain. I wish I could tell you that all you need to do is flush water through it for 10 seconds and you’re done, but that would be a lie. You need to take (a lot) better care of it. I mean, it makes sense, your dick goes in it.

However, it’s really not complicated once you’ve got your technique down. It’s kind of like brushing your teeth, something you gotta do, you don’t really have a choice. With my tips and tricks, you’ll find the method that is just right for you and learn what not to do.

I know a 3000-word guide on how to clean your favorite sex toy might seem a lil over-the-top, but your Fleshlight isn’t any old sex toy. (Note: read my guide to choosing the best Fleshlight for you.

Before I let you in on my secrets, I want to address as to why you absolutely should clean your Fleshlight. You might think I am crazy for giving you a reason, but according to a 2017 survey by adult superstore Adam & Eve, only 57% of men clean their sex toys after they use them and more than a third never clean them at all.

spongebob disgusted gif

Why you should clean your Fleshlight after every use:

Okay, so I can’t believe I even need to give you a reason as to why you absolutely 100% should clean your Fleshlight after every use — especially the sleeve — but there are a few. I don’t want to be dramatic and say that your dick will fall off, but your dick might fall off if you don’t clean your Fleshlight!

dick fly off southpark

Aside from the severe health risks which I’ll get into in a second, a very reliable (and very nasty) source who’s failed to clean his Fleshlight straight after using it, told me that the jizz will congeal and look like old popcorn butter. If that visual isn’t enough to scare you to death, the next bit might.

Your Fleshlight sleeve will go moldy if you don’t properly clean and dry it. Not only will black spots appear on your precious sleeve that you paid a lot of money for, but it will also become stinky. Ever wondered what a moldy Fleshlight sleeve looks like? Check out this.

Mold is nasty: it basically means that microbes have set up shop in your sleeve and you really don’t want that. If you stick your dick into a moldy sleeve, they might set up shop in your dick too, and that’s bad news.

The bacteria in a dirty sleeve can cause infections, which at best might cause a yeast infection and UTI (that’s a urinary tract infection) and at worst cause your dick to fall off. Sure, that’s the worst case scenario and will probably not happen to you, but it’s really not something you want to take a chance on.

Also, if you have a partner, using a dirty Fleshlight is super inconsiderate. You’re putting them at risk of catching whatever is living in your Fleshlight, and that’s nasty.

I don’t want to come across as finger-wagging, but it’s easy to put Fleshlight maintenance off as something you can’t be bothered with — like flossing. Think of it this way: never put your dick somewhere you wouldn’t want to touch with your mouth.

How to clean your Fleshlight:

Now that we’ve got the disclaimer out of the way, let’s get down to business. I have two options for you. The “official” Fleshlight approved option and the cheaper one.

The “official” method:

Basically, just watch this video.

Just kidding. I mean, watch the video if you want to but also follow my steps below as they’re a lot more thorough.

    1. After you’re done, disassemble the sleeve and hard case.

step 1 illustrated

    1. Wash the hard case first using soap and warm water. This is the only time you will be using soap — remember this. Pay particular attention to the bottom lid (the suction cup) and make sure you give it a really good clean as it collects most of your juices.

step 2

    1. Okay, now put the soap away. I am serious!
    2. Cool, next up is the sleeve. It’s a breeze to clean, but you need to give it some extra attention.
    3. First, rinse the sleeve with warm water — make sure the water isn’t too hot as it can damage the sleeve’s patented SuperSkin material.

step 3

    1. To flush out the sleeve, just let water run through one entrance until it comes out. Do this for around 30 seconds.

step 4

    1. Then you’re going to have to get your hands (a bit) dirty. Run the sleeve under water again and insert a finger to dislodge cum stuck to the sides. This is especially important for the more textured sleeves as they have a ton of crevices for lube and cum to hide in. However, don’t be too rough — stretching the sleeve too much could cause microtears.

step 5

    1. Next, cup your hand over one of the holes and allow water to flow into the other.

step 6

    1. Then cup your hand over the other hole (make sure both holes are covered) and shake it, shake it like a polaroid picture.

step 7

    1. Flush out the water as we did in step 6.
    2. Nearly there: the last step is to spray Fleshwash (Fleshlight’s official cleaner) inside and outside the sleeve liberally.

step 8

  1. Lastly, you’ll need to dry your sleeve, but we’ll explain how to do that later.

The official method forces you to spend a pretty penny on the Fleshwash cleaner. Is it worth it? Kinda. First of all, your Fleshlight is incredibly sensitive — you shouldn’t use any old cleaner. When using Fleshwash, you know that your giving your sleeve the love and care it deserves. It’s also convenient to just add the Fleshwash onto your order.

However, for those who don’t want to send Fleshlight even more of their hard-earned cash, I have a cheaper option (that in my opinion actually works better).

The cheap method:

Basically, you follow all the same steps in the official method until step 11. That’s where you substitute Fleshwash with 70% isopropyl alcohol — note, not the drinking kind.

Here’s what you do:

  1. Instead of spritzing your sleeve with Fleshwash, you cup your hand on one hole, pour a small amount of isopropyl alcohol in the other and then hold your hand over the second hole.
  2. Then, slosh the isopropyl alcohol around the inside of your Fleshlight for a good 30 seconds. You really want to kill all the bacteria.
  3. Pour the isopropyl alcohol down the drain.
  4. Make sure you also liberally apply the isopropyl alcohol around the entrance and exit holes of your Fleshlight sleeve.

Isopropyl alcohol will kill anything living inside your Fleshlight sleeve without ruining the material. Whatever you do, please do not drink it. You will literally die, I am not kidding.

I personally prefer the cheaper method because you can buy the isopropyl alcohol in any drug store and it’s incredibly cheap. I also feel like it’s more thorough — the liquid gets into all the pleasure ridges and crevices, something that is difficult to do with the spray.

Also, bonus points for the isopropyl alcohol because it will help dry the sleeve which means you’ll be back in action quicker.

One word of caution: isopropyl alcohol isn’t bog standard rubbing alcohol. Yes, it’s often referred to as rubbing alcohol but so are a bunch of other alcohol-based tinctures. So don’t just go to the store looking to pick up rubbing alcohol because you might end up using something that harms your precious sleeve. Make sure you get pure isopropyl alcohol with a strength of 70% or over.

How to dry your Fleshlight:

Okay, so this is where it gets interesting because there are 1000 different methods. I am not joking, whatever your circumstance, there’ll be a drying technique just right for you. Before I break down the different methods, let’s go over some basics that everyone should be doing.

The basics:

Drying the hard case is super easy. Just use a heavy-duty paper towel to soak up all the excess water. If you properly dry it with the paper towel, you won’t even have to dry the case on a rack, you can just store it away.

Before hanging your sleeve up to dry, use a microfiber cloth to soak up as much water as possible. It’s best to wrap it around a chopstick or flute cleaner and then gently stick it inside the sleeve. Don’t forget to dry the outside as well. Don’t use a paper towel or anything else (people have used socks) for this step as it might leave lint inside your sleeve and that’s going to irritate your dick.
Whatever you do, make sure your Fleshlight is bone dry before you put it back in its case because otherwise, it will go moldy. In case you skipped the beginning of the guide, let me just remind you that this is bad, bad news for your sleeve and dick.

The classic method:

After cleaning your Fleshlight sleeve, stand it up on a radiator so any excess water can drip out. Just make sure, the radiator isn’t on as it can melt your sleeve. Super low-effort but it will take a while to dry.

The lazy method:

This video from minute 00:58. Pretty much just lay your Fleshlight sleeve on a towel to dry.

towelie don't forget to bring a towel meme gif

This method takes the longest as there’s no air flow through the sleeve, but it’s perfect for those who can’t be bothered to faff around. It’s recommended to use this method in dry places as humidity will stop the process and might result in mold growth.

The dangerous method:

Some people successfully use a hairdryer on a cool setting to dry the Fleshlight sleeve. It’s pretty self-explanatory: you aim the hairdryer into the hole and hold it there until the sleeve is thoroughly dry. I personally don’t like this method as while it’s speedy, it’s easy to overheat the sleeve which will degrade the material.

A variation of this method is putting your Fleshlight sleeve on a fan like this until it’s dry. Honestly, I don’t recommend covering a fan, but there are a lot of people who successfully use this method. So, if you’re a daredevil, go ahead!

The crazy method:

I didn’t know about this method until I researched different drying techniques for this guide. It’s a bit out-there… People buy aquarium pumps specifically to dry their Fleshlight sleeve. This method makes a lot of sense if you use your Fleshlight a lot and have the space and cash for an extra electrical appliance. You simply stick the sleeve on the pump, turn it on and leave it to dry. There’s no heat, so no danger to your Fleshlight and the air shooting through your sleeve will dry it in no time.

The DIY method:

Fleshlight sleeves dry the best when air can flow through them and water can drip away. You can build a drying rack out of almost anything — the world is your oyster.

One option is to bend a coat hanger into shape, MacGyver style.

To do this you need one of those thin and flexible clothes hangers that sometimes you get for free from a dry cleaner. Kinda like this one, maybe even thinner. I think you know what I am talking about.

1. Bend a clothes hanger around the case

dry step 1

2. Fold ends over to make a loop

dry step 2

3. Tighten the loop

dry step 3

4. Hang sleeve in loop until dry

dry step 4

One major plus for this method is that you can store the Fleshlight easily in a closet, keeping it out of sight.

Any mounted structure your Fleshlight can stand on and that air can flow through, will do. If you’re feeling fancy, you can even get an extra dish drying rack (or you can just use the one in your kitchen, as the Fleshlight sleeve will be as clean as a whistle anyway).

Good to know:

The more textured your sleeve, the longer the drying time. The Fleshlight Original or Super Tight sleeve will dry in no time, but something fancy and elaborate like the Destroya will take a lot longer. If you’re using a lowkey method like drying your sleeve on a towel, the drying time can be days for some of the textured sleeves.

How to refresh your Fleshlight:

We’re nearly done. If you’ve made it this far, you’ve done really well. Your Fleshlight sleeve is like a lady, it needs tender loving and care. Once dry, before you put it back in its case, it’s crucial that you give it some much-needed TLC.

After multiple uses, the patented SuperSkin texture might become a bit sticky — that’s normal. However, it doesn’t feel that nice and also makes your sleeve a magnet for dirt and fluff. It’s super easy to fix, and as always we have a cheap and bougie option.

The bougie version:

In addition to the Fleshwash, Fleshlight sells a Renewing Powder. It’s basically 100% cornstarch but comes in a handy container, and you can purchase it as a combo with your Fleshwash.

The ratchet version:

You can buy cornstarch in any store — literally any store that sells food will sell cornstarch. To be honest, you might even have some in your kitchen right now. It’s not in a convenient container like the Fleshlight version, but it’s cheap as chips, and you can always refill it into a pill bottle or Tupperware box.

It’s super easy to refresh your Fleshlight, simply liberally apply the powder all over your sleeve. It should look like a powdered donut when you’re done, yummy! However, whatever you do, make sure that your sleeve is as dry as a desert before you do this. Otherwise, you’ll end up with gloops of cornstarch, barf!

How NOT to clean your Fleshlight:

This guide wouldn’t be complete without a section on what not to do. The material the sleeve is made out of is really delicate, pretty much most things will degrade it. I really want to save you from making the same expensive mistakes many others have, so make sure you don’t skip this section.

Pretty much anything but water, Fleshwash, isopropyl alcohol, and cornstarch will destroy your Fleshlight sleeve. No, it won’t explode or burst into flames, but over time, it will stop feeling the same, and it will also become moldy and gross.

Soap

Soap is the biggest killer. The ingredients in soap will degrade the material and allow mold and bacteria to live in it. It will also no longer feel soft and supple, no matter how much Refresher Powder *cough* cornstarch *cough* you sprinkle over it.

Sex toy cleaner

Sex toy cleaner is also a big no-no. You’d think that since it’s purposefully made for sex toys, it should be fine. But in reality, the Fleshlight sleeve’s patented texture is so sensitive and unique, that some of the ingredients are just as damaging as soap.

Hand sanitizer

Hand sanitizer has many of the same ingredients as Fleshwash and isopropyl alcohol, but it’s also got other stuff in it so I would avoid it at all costs.

One more thing, not any old powder will do when refreshing the sleeve. It’s vital that you only use cornstarch (the only ingredient in the official Fleshlight version). Talc is especially harmful for you: it can irritate your genitals and has been found to cause cancer.

Tips and tricks:

Before we’re done, I just wanted to impart some pearls of wisdom which will help you keep your Fleshlight clean & fresh and ready for action at any moment.

To turn the sleeve inside out or not:

The more textured the sleeve, the more difficult it is to clean. Some people recommend (very briefly) turning the sleeve inside out and rinsing it under warm water. It’s not a bad suggestion, but it could result in microtears if you’re too rough. It’s a catch-22 because it’s undoubtedly more sanitary, but it probably shortens the lifespan of your sleeve.

Water-based lube:

ONLY ? USE ? WATER-BASED ? LUBE ? WHEN ? PLAYING ? WITH ? YOUR ? FLESHLIGHT?!

Excuse the emojis, but this is serious. You can’t play with your Fleshlight without lube, it would be painful and uncomfortable, but not any old lube will do. The sleeve’s material is made out of mineral oil, which does not interact well with silicon and oil-based lube. It will stop being soft, become a safe-haven for bacteria.

Where to wash your Fleshlight:

Washing it in the sink is fine as long as you properly clean the sink when you’re done. Just make sure you give the sink a good rinse with isopropyl alcohol and disinfectant. However, I can totes understand that you might not want to wash your Fleshlight in the same place you brush your teeth and wash your face.

A small tub is an inexpensive and super hygienic way to clean your Fleshlight. Simply place the tub in the sink, use your faucet as you usually would and once you’re done, flush the dirty water down the toilet.

A tip for the impatient:

Multiple sleeves! Seriously, if you can’t bear to wait for your Fleshlight sleeve to dry, just get multiple sleeves. You’ll be able to try out lots of different textures (massive bonus), and you’ll never ever have to wait for your sleeve to dry again before having another go.

Fuck, my Fleshlight is moldy. What now?

I get it, you’ve stumbled upon this guide after using your Fleshlight and maybe not taking the best care of it. I don’t blame you, they’re delicate and easily ruined if you don’t know what you’re doing. Good news is that you now know everything there is to know about cleaning your (next) Fleshlight sleeve.

If you’re not ready yet to give up on your current sleeve, there are guides online on how to “revive” a moldy Fleshlight. Personally, it’s not something I would recommend. By the time your Fleshlight is moldy, the material will have degraded and it might have become harmful to your health.

Anything that you do will only fix the surface problems and the mold will continue to thrive deep inside the material — not a place you want to put your dick in.

Honestly, once your sleeve is moldy, it’s a goner. Just get a new one, your dick will thank you.

However, if you don’t want to listen to me (I don’t blame you) and you’re willing to give it one last shot, I don’t want to deprive you of knowledge. There are a few different methods, most use isopropyl alcohol, bathroom mold remover, bleach and one even uses a men’s face scrub?!

It’s really up to you to give it a try, I mean you have nothing to lose — your Fleshlight is already moldy. Kudos to you for being a daredevil!

If you do try it, let me know how it works out in the comments. Just remember, the mold might come back very quickly and any cleaning might have only been cosmetic.

*

That’s it! Wow! We actually made it. This is all you need to know to keep your Fleshlight in tip-top shape. I get that it’s a lot, but as long as you remember not to use soap and that there are three steps: clean, dry and refresh — you’re good.

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About Deon Black

In the past 11 years, Deon has helped tens of millions of people around the world through his sex toy reviews and guides. Since 2012, he and his team have spent over 60,000 hours testing more than 1000 sex toys. His work & advice has appeared on websites like: Insider, Healthline, MensHealth, Wikipedia, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Romper, WomensHealth and more. Learn more.

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