Guest written by Missy Modell, a musical parody artist and activist focused on the intersection of social justice and pop culture. Missy is the founder of YES MAM Creative, a consultancy for mission-based brands. You can find Missy on Instagram at @missymodell.
Sex Toy Maintenance: How to Clean and Care for Your Sex Toys
Maybe you've never wondered how to clean your sex toys. Maybe you didn't know you needed to or you figure it's pretty straight forward (it is, for the most part). Although it may seem like the LAST thing you want to do before you actually get to using your sex toys or post-orgasm, when you just want to lay there in the afterglow, we're here as a gentle reminder- those extra few seconds will keep you healthy and happy for many sessions to come (and cum).
Why It’s Important To Clean Your Sex Toys
Whether you're enjoying sex toys for women and people with vulvas or sex toys for men and people with penises, all sex toys need to be cleaned after every use. After using a sex toy, there can be bacteria on it from either you or your partner (or both). This bacteria can cause STI’s, UTI’s, or other infections. It’s helpful to make it a habit to simply wash your toy right after use! How you clean a sex toy can depend on the material the sex toy is made of and the style of sex toy you are cleaning. How you clean a dildo will be just a bit different from how you clean a vibrator and the thoroughness you give to cleaning your TPE stroker will need to be higher than when you clean your silicone cock ring if you want to avoid those uncomfortable and unpleasant results we mentioned above.
Materials like silicone, ABS plastic, glass, and stainless steel are nonporous which makes for easy cleaning. They are body-friendly and long-lasting, too! Other sex toy materials like elastomer, TPE, TPR, jelly, and latex are porous, making them difficult to clean- plus, they harbor bacteria. We recommend using a condom with these toys, especially when sharing with sexual partner(s).
What Do I Use To Clean My Sex Toys?
If you're wondering 'what do I clean a vibrator with?' We recommend toy cleaner because it’s quick, discreet, and disinfects toys without harming the material. You can also use mild anti-bacterial, unscented soap (it should be light enough to leave no residue behind).
Silicone, glass, and stainless steel toys (without motors) can be disinfected on the top shelf of your dishwasher (without soap) or placed in boiling water for 8-10 minutes!
How Do I Clean A Sex Toy?
Here are some helpful steps to making sure you give all your sex toys a proper bath and leave them and yourself feeling refreshed and ready for another romp!
How do I clean a dildo (and other non-motorized or waterproof sex toys)?
- Run the toy under warm water.
- Spray toy cleaner directly onto your toy, and make sure to cover the entire surface.
- Rinse with warm water and make sure there is no leftover residue.
- Pat or air dry completely before putting away.
- Always be sure to store your toys in a clean and dry location!
How do I clean a vibrator (and other motorized or non-waterproof sex toys)?
Follow the steps above, except these types of toys can't be held under running water (unless they are waterproof). These types of toys like bullet vibrators, strokers, rabbits, and more can be wiped down with a damp, soapy washcloth.
The best way to clean a dildo and all other sex toys is simply to make you DO clean it. Toy cleaner is the best, best way to make sure your toy is clean and sanitized and lasts a long time because it's designed for sex toys. Regular disinfecting soap works in a pinch, but over time can degrade the materials of your sex toys and cause them to break down. This leaves sex toys with more potential to harbor bacteria and therefore affect your health!
How to store your sex toys
Maintaining hygienic and squeaky clean sex toys is all about how you store them. No need to buy a fancy toy box or filing cabinet with a large "How I Orgasm" label on it (unless you want to), just be sure to keep your toys in a place that meets these low-lift criteria -
Room temperature - Some sex toy materials are more susceptible to heat and cold than others, but it's best to play it safe and keep all your toys in a temperate room that doesn't have extreme dips or spikes in temperature.
Dry - Moisture is a no no for sex toy storage. Try to store you toys in a place without high humidity or the risk of spills, leaks, or submersion.
For toys made of TPE, jelly, and other less structured toys like soft strokers, body strokers, etc., we advise keeping these toys in a sealed container (a plastic bin or box is fine) that separates the toy of everything else, including other toys. This will preserve the life of these toys and keep you happy and healthy!
Top Rated Toy Cleaners
Lovers Foaming Toy Cleaner ($14.50)
Our popular Lovers Foaming Toy Cleaner is completely safe to work on all toy materials you may have. Nothing is more important to your toy than proper hygiene, and this toy cleaner will keep it bacteria free, sanitized and disinfected which will help the longevity of your toy.
Green Tea Spray Toy Cleaner ($24.50)
For an all-natural, clean feeling, try Intimate Earth's Green Tea Toy Cleanser Spray. Green Tea Toy Cleaner is made with natural cleaning ingredients such as tea tree oil, lavender oil, and natural anti-bacterial Guava Bark.
Sensuva's fragrance-free restoration powder is designed to improve the longevity of your sex toys through its powerful, absorbent properties. Renewal powders help to maintain a clean and dry surface on semi-porous materials like TPE, TPR, rubber, and jelly. It is ideal for toys that are prone to molding or discoloration. Target tacky, oily, and sticky surfaces between each use with a protective layer of restoration powder that resists lint, dust, and dirt.
Further Reading:
How To Clean Your Sex Toys So You Can Use Them Safely: Self
How To Clean Your Sex Toys: Mashable
How to Clean Sex Toys: Bed Bible
WITH PLEASURE,
LOVERS
