Before using it, make sure you properly clean your sex toy.
“People are more comfortable with their sexuality and often feel more confident in their sense of self-worth after exploring different types of stimulation,” said Kristin Fretz, co-founder and CMO of EmojiBator. “However, just like any open wound, having a UTI from your sex toy can be extremely painful to the individual. Doing so can also perpetuate the shame around self pleasure.”
If this year has taught us anything, it’s that we need to be more attentive to sanitization. This also applies to the most sensitive parts of our body – when you masturbate or have sex with a partner. Even though it may not seem sexy the first time, washing your sex toys is paramount for being as safe and healthy as possible.
When storing your clean sex toy, make sure that you keep them in a clean space. You wouldn’t want to wash your hands and cough into them immediately after, so it’s important that you store these toys properly. Many sex toys come with their own casing, which makes for very easy storage.
There are a few wrong ways to clean sex toys and it’s important to know how to do it safely. If you want to avoid getting into an unpleasant or even downright dangerous situation, be sure to follow the advice of these experts.
What to clean your sex toys if they’re made from silicone, jelly, or other materials
You should research how to clean a toy before you buy one. Avoid porous materials, such as silicone, because bacteria can build up in them and cause infections. You can find advice on cleaning your toys on sex toy manufacturer LELO’s website.
Here are a few materials that commonly come in sex toys: Jelly rubber, hard plastic, elastomer, and medical-grade silicone. Since this porous material can hold bacteria after it’s been cleaned, we recommend not using jelly rubber or some other untested material. If your toy didn’t come with any instructions on how to clean it, we recommend asking the merchant that sold the toy what might work best.
Porous toys, like a vibrator, can be safe to use if you properly clean them with water and mild soap. You should also store the toy carefully so that it’s not touching other porous toys. If you’re using the toy for anal play or if you’re at risk for yeast infections, use a condom as well. If you notice any change in color or smell, it’s time to retire the toy.
Finn believes that shopping at a trusted retailer ensures high quality toys. If it’s not made of “novelty materials” such as jelly rubber.
How to buy high quality sex toys
How to clean a sex toy
All experts recommend washing most sex toys in warm water, with mild antibacterial soap. Be sure to wash them for at least 20 seconds, just like you would your hands, and then dry them with a clean towel.
Should you use sex toy cleaners?
A good cleanser is important for your sex toy.
Inspect the ingredients of any toy cleaner.
This information is available in the product’s website.
Don’t use toxic substances in your vulva. It is a sensitive area that can be hurt by chemicals or overly acidic substances.
How to clean a vibrator: can I wash my toy in the dishwasher? What about boiling water?
Fretz commented that you should avoid vibrators and plastics if you plan to put them in the dishwasher. This is true for toys as well, which will melt or soften if heated.
You can use water to clean silicone sex toys, but you will have the best results if you boil them for a few minutes.
Make sure you don’t put your non-motorized toy in the dishwasher with soap. The residue the soap leaves behind is not compatible with that of most toys.
What is UV light and how is it used to clean sex toys?
If you’re looking for a gadget to help with your cleaning process, there are two on the market: UVee and b-Vibe UV Sterilizer Pouch. Here’s the caveat: while they disinfect, they don’t clean.
Finn noted that after use, you should wash or wipe down your toys with a damp cloth in order to reduce the risk of bacteria.
How to clean sex toys with wipes
You can clean your surfaces using a post-play wipe, but you should really clean it with any available cleaner.
How often should you clean your sex toys?
After we are finished having sex, always clean your sex toy. If not, it will leave bacteria behind which can result in yeast infections, urinary tract infection, and bacterial vaginosis.
How to keep your toy collection clean and fresh
It’s just as important to store your sex toy in a way that does not cause bacteria to stick to it. One way to do this is by storing the toy in a case if it had one when you bought it. If no case was included, clean containers with closures work well, such as makeup bags or cases with zippers or Velcro. With careful storage of your toy, like with other sensitive items like menstrual cups, you won’t have any problems from bacteria or other harmful things.
It’s important to clean your sex toy to ensure safety and to preserve the quality of the product.