Guide on How to Clean your Sex Toys
Sex toys are an important part of many people's sex lives and sexual health, offering enjoyment and satisfaction to solo and partnered play. However, regular cleaning and maintenance of sex toys are also required to ensure cleanliness, safety, and longevity. If not properly cleaned, they can potentially serve as a breeding ground for germs. (Eeeww, we don't want that.)
That is why it is critical to clean your sex toys after each use.
Different sex toys are made from different materials, and each requires other cleaning processes and tools to maintain their quality and protect users' health.
Here's a step-by-step guide on cleaning sex toys based on the materials they're made up of:
Silicone
Silicone is a popular material for sex toys since it is non-porous and safe for the body. This means that microorganisms cannot easily permeate the toy's surface, making it simple to clean.
Wash with Warm Water and Mild Soap: After each use, rinse the silicone toy with warm water and remove any residues with mild, unscented soap. To avoid damaging the silicone surface, avoid using aggressive chemicals.
Boil or Dishwasher: Some silicone-made sex toys are dishwasher-safe for a more thorough cleaning (see the manufacturer's directions). Alternatively, you may disinfect the toy by boiling it in water for 5-10 minutes. Check that the toy is temperature-safe and does not include any electronic components.
Glass Adult Toys
Glass sex toys are non-porous, safe for the body, and frequently visually beautiful. Here's how to clean your adult glass toys.
Warm Water & Mild Soap: After using the glass toy, properly clean it with warm water and mild soap. Abrasive materials that may scratch the surface should be avoided.
Glass toys may be sterilized by boiling or by placing them in the dishwasher. Check that the toy is temperature-safe and does not include any electronic components.
Sex Toys Made of ABS Plastic
ABS plastic is a popular material for toys such as vibrators. It is simple to clean ABS plastic toys.
Warm Water and Mild Soap: To clean these kinds of sex toys, use warm water and mild soap. Avoid using alcohol or other solvents that might harm the surface.
Antibacterial Toy Cleaner: For enhanced hygiene, use a specifically made toy cleaner.
Metal
Metal sex toys are also non-porous and non-toxic, making them reasonably easy to clean. Cleaning them properly maintains their longevity.
Warm Water and Mild Soap: Use warm water and mild soap to clean the metal toy. Use gentle abrasives or scouring pads to avoid scratching the surface.
Metal toys are heat-resistant and may be boiled or put in the dishwasher for full disinfection
Sex Toys Made of TPE/TPR
Toys made of TPE/TPR (Thermoplastic Elastomer/Rubber) are soft and flexible. Furthermore, because rubber sex toys are porous, they are more difficult to clean than silicone or glass toys. Cleaning properly is critical to preventing bacterial growth.
Warm Water and Mild Soap: After each usage, clean the toy with warm water and mild soap. Because these materials are permeable and can house germs, use caution.
Toy Cleaner: For more thorough cleaning, use an antibacterial toy cleaner formulated for TPE/TPR toys.
Realistic Materials (CyberSkin, UR3, and so forth)
Because of their permeable nature, realistic materials for sex toys sometimes need extra care.
Warm Water and Toy Cleaner: Clean the toy with warm water and a toy cleaner particularly made for realistic materials.
Renewing Powder and Pat Dry: After cleaning, pat the toy dry and use a renewing powder to keep its texture.
Vibrators
Because vibrators are made from a variety of materials, it is critical to follow the manufacturer's cleaning guidelines. Most vibrators may be cleaned with warm, soapy water in general. Some vibrators, however, have electrical components that cannot be immersed in water. You may wipe down these vibrators with a moist towel.
You should completely dry the vibrator after cleaning it. Remove the batteries from the vibrator before cleaning it.
Leather and BDSM Sex Toys
To enhance the life span of leather and BDSM gear, follow these guidelines:
Wipe with a moist Cloth: Wipe any dirt or fluids off leather toys with a moist cloth.
Leather Cleaner: To maintain the material supple and clean, use a leather-specific cleaner.
Store Leather Toys Properly: Keep leather toys out of direct sunlight and in a cool, dry area.
Other Cleaning Tools You Can Use
There are a few more cleaning items you may use to clean sex toys besides soap and water. These are some examples:
- Cleaning sprays for sex toys: These sprays are particularly developed to disinfect sex devices. They're a quick and easy method to clean your toys, and they typically don't leave any residue.
- Alcohol may be used to disinfect sex toys, but it must first be diluted with water. A 1:10 dilution of alcohol in water is an excellent place to start.
- Sex toy wipes: Similar to cleaning sprays, these wipes are pre-moistened and ready to use. If you don't have access to soap and water, they're an excellent substitute.
- Bleach: Bleach may also be used to disinfect sex toys, but it must be handled with caution. A bleach-to-water dilution of 1:100 is a suitable starting point.
General Cleaning Advice for Sex Toys
After each usage, always clean your sex toys.
For detailed cleaning recommendations, consult the manufacturer's instructions.
Toys containing electronic components shouldn't be submerged unless they are waterproof.
For each toy, use a different, non-abrasive cloth to avoid cross-contamination.
Keep your clean, dry sex objects in a space that is free of dust.