How to Clean Every Sex Toy You Own
You already know that you should clean your sex toys , but it’s easy to promise to do so before you’ve really taken a close look at what you have. Sex toys are made from a variety of materials. Some feel soft, some feel hard, some have electrical components, and some move in different places than others. Does this affect how you clean them? Yes it is.
What are the different types of sex toys made of?
When you hear the phrase “sex toys,” you usually think of vibrators and dildos and then maybe butt plugs, but it’s a broad market full of devices that are sold everywhere and made from a wide variety of materials. To give you an idea of the scale, consider how many types of things fall into this category:
- Butt plugs
- Prostate toys
- Dildo
- Bondage equipment (e.g. restraints, blindfolds, etc.)
- Clitoris vibration
- Rabbit vibrators
- Wand vibrators
- G-spot vibrators
- Cock rings
- Penile masturbators
- Penis pumps
Each one is made from something unique. As Dr. Jenny Skyler, resident sex therapist at Adam and Eve, tells me, “There are many different materials for sex toys: medical grade silicone, stainless steel and glass are the best materials because they are not harmful to health. porous and less likely to harbor harmful bacteria. There are also plastic and jelly toys that are easier on the pocket but are traditionally not as body-friendly as the others mentioned above.”
While you’ve probably had some vibrations that were soft to the touch, it’s generally understood that softer toys don’t transmit vibration either, and hard toys can be more uncomfortable to use. In most cases, non-porous materials are preferred. This means you need silicone, glass or plastic to make cleaning easier and keep your products more hygienic.
How to Clean Porous Sex Toys (Rubber, Vinyl, etc.)
Porous sex toys can be made from a variety of materials and can be difficult to clean, so using them with condoms is recommended whenever possible. Otherwise, it’s best to wipe them down with warm water and very mild soap, as you don’t want chemicals or harsh cleaners to penetrate the toys before they next penetrate you (or your partner).
How to Clean Non-Porous Sex Toys
Always check the toy’s packaging or description to ensure it is made from one of the non-porous materials listed above. Simply put, sex involves many different fluids, and none of them are meant to go inside a toy, as some of them can ruin the toy and some of them are just disgusting.
If the toy is non-porous and does not contain electrical components or any kind of motor, you can simply boil it (provided it is not made of plastic). Place it in a pan of boiling water for about three minutes, suggests Skyler. Then lay it out to dry and clean the pan thoroughly afterwards. If you have a tough but porous toy on hand, try a UV sterilizer, one of those boxes you can put devices in to remove germs from them.
In general, soap and water works great for wiping down the outside of a toy, but if you’re dealing with something that has nooks and crannies like a bunny vibe, it’ll be harder to get the soapy water everywhere it needs to go. and also remove it. Instead, consider ready-made sex toy cleaning wipes that you can buy online or at any store where you buy toys. They are fast, thin enough to get into tight spots, dry quickly and are designed for use with these materials. Perhaps most importantly, they’re convenient: After playing, you can just grab it off your nightstand, wipe down your device, and never have to worry about anything else, so you’re more likely to clean it up. (Wipe it down with soap every now and then, just to go the extra mile.)
Some toys, such as those made from Pyrex or stainless steel, can be washed in the dishwasher, but if you’re even the least bit concerned about the fit of yours, don’t try it.
How to clean after lubrication
Lube is part of your toy repertoire, although you may not consider it a toy. Water-based lube can be easily removed from toys and sheets with regular washing, but silicone lube is water-resistant, and while it’s great when you’re showering or sweating a lot, it’s not so great when it comes to cleaning. According to GoLove , you should act quickly and clean it off toys or objects when it comes in contact, as it will be much harder to remove if you let it dry. If this happens, you can use more of the same lubricant to dampen the dried stain and then wipe it away. You can use water to wash the lube off the toys, but be sure to clean them with soap or boiling water afterwards. (Again, pre-made napkins are a great option.)
How to Clean Bondage Equipment
Something like a silky eye cover can be thrown in the wash, but for leather bondage gear you’ll have to do a more intensive cleaning. Lash Fetish Gear recommends wiping the leather frequently with a clean, dry cloth and always wiping away moisture, especially around rivets and buckles. After use, you should also wipe it down with a mixture of soap and water, ideally saddle soap designed for leather.
Metal parts such as rings and chains can be washed in a small bowl with water and a few drops of mild soap such as shampoo or dish soap. After about a minute, remove it from the bowl and rinse under running water.
Drying sex toys
Silicone, leather, metal, motorized or static toys should be dried after washing, but it is best to lay them out to air dry. Make sure they are completely dry before putting them back into your storage bag or box to prevent them from becoming moldy. You can dry it with heat if it’s glass, but avoid drying your hair with electric or plastic objects.