When we think about our sex toys, it’s often about charging them or putting them to use. But how often do we prioritize the essential task of proper cleaning? Just like makeup brushes, sex toys such as dildos, vibrators, anal beads, and more require regular cleaning. Since these toys come into contact with bodily fluids, it’s imperative to care for and clean them correctly. Cleaning a sex toy is a relatively straightforward process, but neglecting this crucial step can lead to unpleasant consequences.
When you fail to clean your sex toys correctly, you run the risk of developing infections in your vaginal and anal areas. Avoiding these infections is crucial, as they can be uncomfortable to deal with, despite being treatable. Uncleansed toys can introduce bacteria to your vulvar-vaginal and anal areas, potentially causing urinary tract infections, bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, and even the spread of sexually transmitted diseases or infections. Sharing your sex toys with partners can significantly increase the risk of bacterial infections. Therefore, thorough cleaning of these toys is vital.
Most types of sex toys available on the market can be easily cleaned by washing the surface with soap and water and allowing them to air dry. However, sometimes you may need to perform a more comprehensive disinfection of your sex toys to ensure you’re providing them with the best care and preventing any buildup of unpleasantness that might lead to issues in the long run.
Water: Any type of water will suffice – tap, bottled, or distilled.
Liquid Soap: Opt for a mild liquid hand soap, which is the easiest choice. You can also use antibacterial soap, although it’s not mandatory. Avoid using dish soap or household cleaners.
A Drying Material: This could be paper towels, washcloths, or full-sized towels. Ensure that whatever you use is clean.
A Stove and a Pot: Start by surface cleaning your toys, then submerge them in a pot of boiling water for a few minutes.
A Spray Bottle for Bleach: Bleach is effective in killing pathogens, and a spray bottle makes it easy to apply to your toys.
Optional – Dishwasher: If you choose to use your dishwasher for cleaning your toys, ensure it has the appropriate disinfecting setting.
There are specialized sex toy cleaners available, such as liquid cleaners, sex toy wipes, and spray toy cleaners. While not obligatory, these can be convenient to have on hand for quick surface cleaning when needed.
Cleaning time for sex toys can vary depending on the chosen method. Here’s a general idea of how long each method may take:
Surface Cleaning: A few minutes. This is a quick clean to remove material and germs from the toy’s surface.
Deep Cleaning (Disinfecting): 5-10 minutes. This method sanitizes the toy and removes bacteria and pathogens. It’s particularly useful if your toy hasn’t been cleaned in a while.
Sterilization: The time may vary but is ideal for killing viruses and bacteria, especially when you’ve shared toys or used them during a UTI or other infections.
Choosing the right cleaning method for your sex toy largely depends on the type of toy and how it’s constructed. There are three primary types of cleaning:
Surface Cleaning: This method is suitable for non-porous toys made of silicone, metal, glass, or hard plastic. It focuses on removing material and germs from the toy’s surface.
Deep Cleaning (Disinfecting): It’s essential for maintaining a clean and hygienic toy. Disinfection helps sanitize the toy and remove bacteria and pathogens. Use this method regularly, especially if you haven’t cleaned your toy for a while.
Sterilization: Useful for killing viruses and bacteria, sterilization is crucial when you share toys or have used them during infections.
However, it’s important to note that porous materials like PVC, gemstone, jelly, or silicone blend toys should not be cleaned using these methods. Porous toys can harbor bacteria and fungi, making them difficult to clean thoroughly. This is why non-porous toys made of materials like silicone, metal, glass, or hard plastic are recommended for safe and hygienic use. ootyemo offers discounted quality sex toys made from a variety of safe materials.
Completing a surface cleaning of your sex toy is a straightforward process that doesn’t sterilize or disinfect the toy but is suitable for personal use and takes only a few minutes. Here’s how to do it:
Check Water Safety: Determine whether your sex toy is water-safe. For non-motorized or solid silicone dildos, you can rinse them under the faucet. If it’s a vibrator, check if it’s labeled as waterproof or shower-safe. Splashproof and waterproof have different meanings, so read the product details or user manual for clarification. If you can’t find water safety information, assume it’s not waterproof or splashproof, and use a damp washcloth instead.
Remove Batteries: If your toy uses batteries and isn’t rechargeable, remove the batteries before cleaning.
Rinse the Toy: Start by rinsing the sex toy with water or wiping it with a washcloth to remove any surface debris.
Apply Soap or Cleanser: Apply a small amount of soap or liquid cleanser to the toy. Use a soft toothbrush if your toy has ridges, grooves, or textured areas to ensure thorough cleaning, especially for toys with intricate designs.
Scrub and Wipe: Gently scrub the toy with your hands or a cloth, ensuring you cover the entire surface. Pay special attention to any textured or hard-to-reach areas. After scrubbing, wipe it down to remove any remaining soap or debris.
Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse the toy under running water until all the soap and debris are completely washed off.
Dry the Toy: Place the clean toy on a clean towel or paper towel to air dry. If it’s a battery-operated toy, leave the battery compartment open while drying to prevent rust and water buildup.
Following these steps will ensure that your sex toy is clean and ready for personal use.
To disinfect your sex toys more thoroughly, especially if you share them with a partner or have had a recent vaginal or anal infection, you can follow this method. This is also useful if you’ve been using a toy both anally and vaginally to prevent bacteria transmission or if you notice an odor on the toy. The disinfection process effectively kills pathogens, fungi, and bacteria, but it’s important to note that using a dishwasher for this purpose only kills bacteria, not viruses or fungi that might be present on the toys.
If your toy is made of glass, non-motorized silicone, or stainless steel, you can place it on the top rack of your dishwasher for disinfection. This method allows you to clean multiple toys simultaneously. However, you should not use regular dishwasher detergent, as it can be too harsh for sex toys. Make sure you use this method on a dishwasher that is exclusively yours to avoid spreading bacteria or causing discomfort to others. The dishwasher must also have a “sanitize” cycle for this method to effectively clean your toys. Remember to perform a surface clean on the toys before using the dishwasher. While using the dishwasher is a convenient way to clean your sex toys, it may not be as effective as boiling them.
Bleaching can be used on nonporous toys. It’s typically recommended after surface cleaning. The standard bleach solution for cleaning a sex toy is 1/3 cup of bleach per gallon of water. To apply this solution, you can either spray it on your toy or let the toy soak in a bowl of the solution for at least 10 minutes. If your toy is only splashproof, it’s best to use the spray method to prevent damage. After disinfection, thoroughly wash the toy with soap and water to ensure that all traces of bleach have been removed. This ensures the toy is safe for use.
If your toy comes with a pouch or box, utilize it to keep the toy free of lint and dust. In case it doesn’t include a storage pouch or box, place your sex toy in a Ziploc bag or a plastic container to ensure it remains clean and uncontaminated. This is especially useful if you have pets, as it helps prevent their hair and dander from getting on your sex toys. For silicone toys, use a breathable storage option like a cotton pouch to avoid any unpleasant odors. Avoid storing your toys in humid environments, such as bathrooms.
Now that you know how to clean your sex toys, take a few minutes to do so. After all, ensuring clean and safe playtime is always more enjoyable than indulging in dirty or unhygienic activities.
