How Do I Clean My Sex Toys?

To get the most out of your toy and preserve it for many uses to come, follow these tips on washing and storing your beloved play things.

Washing Your Sex Toys

Get into the habit of washing your toys after every play session, whether you’re having fun alone or with a partner. Even during solo play, bacteria can build up causing premature degradation or discoloration. Furthermore, if you keep all your toys together in one sexy time drawer or box, bacteria can spread between the toys being stored.

To be extra safe, wash your toys before the action also. Lint, drawer dirt, animal hair and other tiny bacteria can lurk in your storage areas, clinging to toys. This tip is not just for clean freaks — this might be a smart move if you have issues with infections, unbalanced ph levels, or are just a sensitive being.

Determine what material your sex toy is made from

Determining whether you toy is porous or non porous if the first step in deciding how to clean your toy. Porous materials include soft and hard plastics, jelly rubber, cyberskin, softskin, elastomer, nylon, vinyl, and neoprene. The nature of these materials allow for them to be more absorbent due to the microscopic holes in the materials structure. Non porous material are stainless steel, glass, most crystals, acrylic, silicone, Pyrex, latex, and ABS. The structure of these materials are solid, not allowing any liquid or bacteria to be absorbed. For more detailed information, see Wild Flower’s guide to toy materials.

Cleaning Porous Toys

Wash in warm water with a mild liquid soap or toy cleaner. Be sure to give a detailed wash before your first use as leftover chemicals from manufacturing can linger on soft plastic toys.

Wash in warm water with a mild liquid soap or toy cleaner. Avoid harsh cleaners containing alcohol as this can affect the color of your toy.

Wash in warm water with a mild liquid soap or toy cleaner. When possible, use a condom with jelly rubber toys as it will help them last longer.

Wash in warm water with a mild liquid soap or toy cleaner. Make sure you dry your toy completely as left over residue or liquids can cause discoloration. Dust your toy lightly with cornstarch to maintain it’s appearance over time. Rinse the cornstarch off before using.

Wash in warm water with a mild liquid soap or toy cleaner. Make sure you dry your toy completely as left over residue or liquids can cause discoloration. Dust your toy lightly with cornstarch to maintain it’s appearance over time. Rinse the cornstarch off before using.

Wash in warm water with a mild liquid soap or toy cleaner. When possible, use a condom with multi use elastomer toys as it will help them last longer.

Wash in warm water with a mild liquid soap or toy cleaner. Place on the top rack of your dishwasher without any detergent and select the shortest cycle.

Wash with a soapy, warm washcloth and rinse in cold water. Dry with a soft, lint free towel.

Soak in soapy, warm water for 10 minutes and them squeeze out any liquid. Rinse repeatedly until no soap or bubbles appear. For especially stubborn stains, soak your toy overnight.

Cleaning Non Porous Toys

Wash in warm water with a mild liquid soap or toy cleaner, place on the top rack of your dishwasher without any detergent or boil in water for 10 mins. Be careful when boiling - the material will retain heat and be very hot! Let it cool before putting to use.

Wash in warm water with a mild liquid soap or toy cleaner, place on the top rack of your dishwasher without any detergent. Avoid boiling or allowing toys to move around in the dishwasher - this can cause chips or scratches that would make your toy unusable.

Wash in warm water (avoid hot or boiling water) with a natural soap and let soak for 10 mins. 

Wash in warm water with a mild liquid soap or toy cleaner, place on the top rack of your dishwasher without any detergent or boil in water for 10 mins.

Wash in warm water with a mild liquid soap or toy cleaner, place on the top rack of your dishwasher without any detergent or boil in water for 10 mins.

Wash in warm water with a mild liquid soap or toy cleaner. Avoid high temperatures.

Wash in warm water with a small amount of mild soap. Avoid scrubbing or washing with anything abrasive as that will damage the latex. Dry with a soft, lint free cloth.

Wash in warm water with a mild liquid soap. Avoid using any cleaner that contain alcohol or acrylic- this will cause the toy to degrade over time.

How to Clean Vibrators and Motorized Toys

Remove batteries and replace the battery case cover before cleaning. Avoid submerging motorized toys completely and remember to adjust your cleaning method based on the material of your toy. Wiping it down with a soapy, warm wash cloth or dipping it in boiling water with the battery end not submerged will work.

How to Store Sex Toys for Cleanliness

Storage plays a key role in keeping your toy in great condition. Avoid storing your toy in direct sunlight for long periods of time as this may cause discoloration. Also avoid areas that are damp or have bad circulation like bathrooms as this is breeding ground for bacteria. If your toy doesn’t initially come with a storage container, invest in a breathable, low lint cloth bag to store your toy. Avoid plastic as over time and with heat, plastic can release chemicals which can affect your toy.

When To Retire Your Sex Toy

Give you toy a once over before the every playtime starts begin to insure its in prime working order. This includes any scratches and tears, especially with silicone and skin imitation materials that are prone to nicks and cuts from nails and teeth. Look to check seams are still intact and that there is no splitting happening that would cause your toy to become porous. With harder materials like glass and crystals, look for any cracks or chips that could cause damage to your or anyone else's goods. With motorized toys, get into the habit of removing the battery after each use to avoid any corrosion from the battery ruining your toy. Make sure that all rubber plugs and battery compartments are in tack before play as any damages or missing pieces will voids your toys ability to be waterproof and body safe. If the motor itself get loud, cuts out, or stops working completely then water may have gotten in causing it be unusable.

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