In order for your sex toys to perform their best and keep you happy for years to cum…sorry, come, you need to look after them.
That means keeping them clean and hygienic. Now, we know when you feel like getting down and dirty with your favourite toy, the last thing on your mind is “hmm…better make sure my dildo is squeaky clean,” but cleaning sex toys will help preserve their longevity, so you can always have your happy ending.
Our sex toy cleaning guide has everything you need to know about how to clean a sex toy, which is the best sex toy cleaner, and even a bit of helpful info on sex toy storage.
So, sit back, relax, and enjoy our sex toy care guide.
Sex Toy Cleaning Guide
First thing’s first.
ALWAYS clean your sex toy thoroughly before and after every use. You don’t need germs, dirt, and bacteria getting into your most intimate areas and causing a problem (for you and your toy). It’s especially important to clean your toys carefully if you’re sharing them with a partner.
As sex toys are made from a range of different materials, they all need a little care and attention when it comes to cleaning properly.
Check the Material
Most sex toys can be cleaned with water and mild antibacterial soap, or you can pick up a toy cleaner made specifically for sex toys. Check to see if your toy is waterproof first before giving it a warm, soapy bath.
Many sex toys are made from rubber, PVC, silicone, or a mix. Toys are made from these materials because they’re soft, pliable, and body-safe. You can also enjoy toys made from glass and steel, and what your toys are made from will determine how you clean them. When in doubt, check the packaging. It’ll tell you what your toy is made from and might also include handy cleaning tips.
Cleaning Silicone Sex Toys
Silicone is a dream material for sex toys. It’s also resilient and non-porous, which makes it super easy to clean. If you’re using your silicone toy solo, a careful wash with toy cleaner, or mild soap and water is perfect. If you’re sharing your toy (sharing is caring), you can boil the toy in hot water as long as it’s made from just silicone, this ensures your favourite silicone sex toy is sterile and ready for business.
Cleaning Glass and Steel Sex Toys
These robust materials don’t absorb water, which means you can boil them ensuring that they are sterile and ready for action alternatively, you can use an anti-bacterial toy cleaner or warm water and mild antibacterial soap. Just be sure you handle them with care to avoid any chips or scratches and never use them if you spot any damage.
Cleaning Rubber or Plastic Sex Toys
These materials are a little trickier to clean, as they are porous, meaning it’s easy for dirt or germs to sneak in. We recommend keeping these toys to yourself and using hot water and soap to clean them thoroughly or an anti-bacterial toy cleaner. Make sure they’re completely dry before stashing them away to ensure your favourite toys stay clean.
Finally, if your toy vibrates, pulses, or throbs, check the label before cleaning it to ensure the battery or power cord doesn’t get damaged. You might be able to remove the battery or motorised part and then soak the rest, otherwise, a wipe or a good scrub with mild soap and a damp cloth should do the trick. Some sex toys can even be cleaned in the dishwasher – but, again, check the label and instructions first.
Top Cleaning Tip:
Always clean your toy thoroughly before its first use. Just because it’s new and unused doesn’t mean it’s clean. Sex toys aren’t sterile, so there might be some dust or bacteria on them, even if they’re brand new.
The Best Sex Toy Cleaner
As well as disinfectant, mild soap and water, there are some great products you can get that are made specifically for cleaning sex toys.
We’re obsessed with the Loving Joy Toy Cleaner, a simple and easy-to-use antibacterial spray that guarantees to leave your toys sparkling and like new. If you’re wondering how to clean a dildo, vibrator, anal beads, or anything else, this needs to be in your tool kit!
Wipes are also a quick and easy option to whip out in a rush. Vush You Do You Intimate Care Wipes are one of our favourite wipes. Better still, they can also be used on your intimate areas for cleaning up after a shag fest!
Sex Toy Storage
Now you’re a sex toy cleaning master and know how to clean a sex toy, the next step is knowing how to store them safely.
Yes. We’re all guilty of stuffing our sex toys in the underwear drawer and fishing them out when we fancy a romp.
But having good sex toy storage is an important factor in keeping your toys in tip-top condition. We always recommend keeping your toys in a cool and dark place to avoid things like discolouration or damage.
If you have a collection of PVC, rubber, TPE, and silicone toys, you should store them separately, or stash them in their own individual bags if you want to keep them together. That’s because the different materials can cause a chemical reaction that can damage them. Yikes! It’s also a good idea to remove the batteries from your toys if you plan on having a break for a few days.
For a sizeable collection, you might want to consider getting storage containers that are dirt and germ-free – ensuring you also clean these once in a while.
Keep Your Sex Toys Clean and Ready to Go
We know that cleaning up isn’t exactly fun. But when it comes to your sex toys, it’s super important. Now you know how to clean your sex toys and keep them safe, they’ll always be ready to go when you’re in the mood.
