Sex toys are a blast, and they’re an amazing way to really get what you want in the bedroom. However, once you’re done using them, you’re going to need to clean them to make sure they stay safe to use. The problem is, there’s plenty of hearsay floating around regarding how you clean sex toys, and some of them are useless or downright dangerous. Here’s everything you need to know about cleaning your sex toys.
Why Should You Clean Your Sex Toys?
If you’ve never considered cleaning your sex toys before, here’s your wake-up call. You should be cleaning your sex toys every time you use them, and it’s even a good idea to clean them before you use them.
People who use sex toys with partners need to make sure that they don’t transmit STIs through sex toys. Any transmission of body fluids can transmit STIs. In some cases, that even includes toys you thought dried out since you last used them, because these bacteria can stay alive for days or even weeks. Cleaning your toys makes sure you don’t continue an infection or transmit them from an old partner to a new one.
Even if you’re only using sex toys on your own, you still shouldn’t take any chances. Vaginal yeast, for example, can stay alive on a dry toy for weeks, and that can be exactly the thing to reignite a yeast infection after taming it. Cleaning your sex toys removes this danger.
Cleaning Options: Useless to Useful
Now that you understand why it’s so important to clean your sex toys, it’s time to understand which options work best. This list is arranged from rumored cleaning options that are actually dangerous to cleaning options that work well and get the job done right.
- Alcohol and Alcohol-Based Cleaners
You may have heard about “sanitizing” your sex toys using alcohol-based cleaners or straight-up vodka. The truth is, you should never, ever put alcohol-based cleaners on your sex toys, and if you happen to accidentally spill alcohol on a toy, you need to wash it thoroughly before using it again. Alcohol can severely damage your vagina or anus, as well as the toy itself, so this option is out.
- Hand Sanitizers
The rationale behind this is that if it’s good enough to clean your hands, it must be good enough to clean your sex toys. As with all other alcohol-based cleaners, this isn’t a good rationale. Hand sanitizers mostly clean using alcohol, which makes it a bad decision to put on anything that’s going inside you.
- Bleach
Bleach can technically sanitize some sex toys, but only those made of borosilicate glass or stainless steel. Plus, if you use bleach, you can only use an extremely mild solution and you have to wash it with soap and water afterward. In general, steer clear of this option.
- Boiling Water
This is a commonly-used option for non-motorized toys. If you have a pure silicone, glass, or stainless steel toy with no motors or a motor you can remove, it’s possible for you to boil it in hot water. However, you need to make sure there are no plastic components or motors on the toy, because they could melt, and you have to make sure the toy is 100% waterproof.
- Condoms
Some people choose to circumvent this problem entirely with condoms. If you’d prefer not to have to clean your sex toys at all, you can definitely put condoms over the toy before you get going. However, if the condom comes off at all or doesn’t cover the entire toy, it’s a good idea to wash the toy anyway. Lubricated condoms can also leave behind lubricant, which you need to wash off once you’re done.
- Soap and Water
This is by far the most common cleaning method for toys. If your toy is water-resistant or waterproof, you can clean them under running water, and you can clean waterproof toys by submerging them entirely in a basin of water. Make sure you use an antibacterial soap that’s mild, light, and non-scented. It’s important that you rinse them properly, as soap can leave behind residue.
- Toy Cleaner
Toy cleaner is quickly becoming more and more common when it comes to cleaning sex toys. There are many toy cleaners available, incorporating many needs and desires. Some are antibacterial or even antiviral, and toy cleaners like the Swiss Navy Toy Cleaner may include natural cleansers like lavender.
It’s a good idea to consider whether you’re using a foaming toy cleaner or a spray cleaner. Foaming cleaners let you know when you’re completely covering the toy for maximum efficacy. That way, you know you’re cleaning the whole surface.
- UV Toy Sterilization
UV toy sterilization, like the B-Vibe UV Sex Toy Sterilizer Pouch, is a high-tech option. With this method, you place your toys in the sterilization product, then turn it on. Within about three minutes, it kills 99.9% of germs. Though it’s more expensive than other methods, it’s extremely effective.
- Anti-Microbial Toy Storage
Once you’re done with your toys, you have to store them. The best way to store toys is with an antimicrobial toy storage unit like the Passionate Playground Joyboxx. That way, you can make sure they stay clean after you’ve cleaned them.
Know Your Sex Toys to Know How to Clean Them
Some of these toy cleaning styles require that you know what’s in your toys. If you think a toy’s pure silicone, so you boil it, you’re going to be sorely surprised when you find out it’s a silicone blend. Instead, buy your sex toys at HUSTLER® Hollywood so you know exactly what’s in every toy. That’s the best way to treat yourself right.
