Sex toys bring confidence, pleasure, and excitement to your intimate moments, but just like anything you use on your body, these can require maintenance. Cleaning and safely storing your sex toys extends their lifespan, keeps your materials in excellent condition, and, most importantly, safeguards your personal health. Fortunately, caring for them isn't complicated!

Why your sex toys need a good clean

Your sex toys will inevitably come into contact with bodily fluids, lubricants, bacteria, and the skin cells from both your and your partner’s bodies. If you don’t properly care for them, the risk for infection, unwanted odours or irritations will grow. A cleaned toy not only prevents these unpleasant issues – it will also perform better and feel more pleasurable over time!

You should clean all of your sex toys in the following circumstances:

• Before first use
• After each use
• Before lending it to a new partner
• Anytime you use it differently than intended (e.g. Changing it from vibrate only to pulse only).
• Before storing it away.

First, let’s make sure of what your toy is made of…

It is really important that you never assume you know the right way to clean a sex toy. Whether the item is completely waterproof, merely “splashproof,” or not waterproof at all and if it is made out of porous or non-porous materials, will influence the most sanitary and safe way to clean the item. Some of the most commonly encountered materials in sex toys include:

Medical-grade silicone is perhaps the very best material – as well as a favourite among intimate product makers and people alike. They’re non-porous, soft, long lasting, very hygienic and are fairly easy to clean. ABS plastic (a firm, sleek form of plastic), as commonly found in vibrators and bullet-like things are easy enough to be able to easily be wiped or otherwise washed. Steel and glass have long served their purpose and have proven themselves to be durable and easy-to-clean.

Glass or stainless steel is best if you want to be able to have some of the very most deep cleans possible on your items; but make sure first you have read their instructions. TPE,TPR, and other “realistic-feel” products Jelly-like TPE, TPR are often used in masturbators and other softer items may be more or less porous – which generally means extra careful attention is going to be needed.

They need thorough and completely adequate drying as well as the most separated storage possible. Always consult the particular toy's manufacturer's manual before choosing any cleaning method. You do not want to put a sex toy containing a motor, battery compartments, charging parts or buttons underwater without double-checking you’ll be able to do so without damaging the componentry and electrical bits of your intimate item.

Best practices for cleaning your sex toys

For the vast majority of sex toys, simply using warm water and a mild soap and detergent free of scent and other strong cleaning chemicals will do the trick. Here’s a guideline to get you started:

Take your toy and wash thoroughly in warm running water with a gentle handsoap (free from any harmful chemicals such as alcohol, bleach, strong detergents). Be sure to focus on cleaning the most detailed parts of the toy - like grooved or ridges and any indentations to make sure nothing can get stuck in them. After you have made sure the sex toy itself looks clean then go ahead and make sure you rinse it off really well until you can be sure there are no remaining residues from the soap product. Dry each toy thoroughly.

Do I need a sex toy cleaner?

Sex toy cleaners are really popular and a very convenient and effective way to clean your intimate toys, especially if you can’t do a thorough washing after every session. Most commercial sex toy cleaners are safe and specifically formulated to work with the wide variety of materials found in sex toys and won't cause any harm or irritation. As always, use a good, light, water-based soap on your item after your cleaning. This generally is the most effective way to tackle your toys’ cleaning – although there are exceptions depending upon what the item is made from.

Which lubricant and my toy material matters…

It's crucial you keep in mind the distinction between a waterproof item and one which might only be resistant to water: If your toy is waterproof, you can probably run it under a sink, a bath or perhaps the shower stream.

If your sex toy is water resistant it will certainly be resistant to splashing, however don’t take anything for the long term in the shower or bath to avoid damage. (Also check the maker’s product instructions very carefully!) if the product’s a waterproof type if its intended for usage in and around the water – because if you’re unlucky it’ll be fried after you take it to use it under the shower in your bathroom as the item won't be water-safe anymore; all charging areas, buttons as well as port covers ought to really securely be fitted

A “non-waterproof “item can definitely not withstand running under the tap – as if you do the odds are high your toy’s going to meet its untimely and most unhappy conclusion the first time around! Make certain all electronic components have a protective cover if you put the item near water…or wipe dry carefully; avoiding any open crevices or areas around the button panel and charging area.

Special note on USB-rechargeable items:

It is extremely important that if you own any USB rechargeables you turn off the device as well as close its charging port/battery compartment with it’s designated lid before cleaning the toy as well as drying the toy. You will most likely want to keep USB devices away from the water entirely to prevent possible electric shock or damage to the charging components inside! After cleaning always make certain you fully air-dry each of your USB devices, prior to any charging.

Safe sex toy storage

Once your toys are thoroughly cleaned and completely dried, they must be stored away safely. It is recommended to store your toys separately, ideally in the pouch, storage box, or dedicated container they came in. Many manufacturers provide specific bags or boxes with their products for storage, utilize them! Store each of your items away as individual, clean and hygienic as is possible.

Why bother with storage? It helps prevent dust build-up, fabric shedding from stored items touching one another and even damage to the various components that make up your sex toy products; even some toys that are all manufactured from metal or silicone can begin to degrade if they are left touching other materials for very long amounts of time! It really helps prevent the material itself coming to harm also; some of our harder materials simply can become sticky and develop odd odours over long-term contact!

Keep things as dry as possible

Excess moisture can contribute to unpleasant bacteria and mould growth in even the most well maintained sex toys. Avoid putting any damp toys directly into bags, boxes, or drawers where moisture cannot dissipate easily. You should make absolutely sure each of your toys has dried completely before you decide to put them in a closed container or storage drawer.

Keep toys separated!

Most sex toys have specific properties, and their individual materials will react in unique ways to their neighbours if they spend a great deal of time crammed together. It’s best to store them in their individual bags in a box that keeps everything neat and contained if possible! This helps prevent things sticking, reacting negatively or becoming damaged over time!

What lubricants do I need to consider?

When you clean your toys, it’s important you think about the type of lubricant you are going to use and that you will be able to properly wash it off from any components! For virtually all toys, a water-based lubricant is the safest lubricant to utilize on them. A water-based lubricant won't damage and or ruin any materials that your intimate item is comprised from.

Any lubricant that has a base composed of either of silicone is NOT appropriate for many if not any silicone toys, as it can actually compromise and damage a number of of our high quality of silicone-made vibrators, clitoral stimulators and couples’ toys.

As soon as it says it's okay to mix silicone-base merchandise with water-based lubes then you'll be able to try to apply them together so long as it doesn't create damage.

When Should I Replace My Sex Toy?

Despite the best efforts you make at keeping all your cherished items as clear as attainable, these items can be lost at sea so to speak. Keep an eye out for:

Cracks or peeling on a toy surface, a persistently odd and offensive odour (even after cleaning), a drastic change in appearance or coloration, any corrosion on metals, difficulty turning the gadget on or off or failure of batteries, or an unappealing alteration of surface area! Damaged intimacy merchandise can easily turn into an unclean item!

The best things in life to spend cash on involve our intimacy - as well as keeping those products healthy is key to their continued enjoyment. Keep our tips in mind and those items will last for quite some time and we’ll continue to bring you new fun ways to enhance your personal relationships!