Why bother cleaning a sex toy?

First things first: keeping your sex toys clean is more than just a suggestion; it’s part of taking responsibility for your and your partner’s sexual health. Regular cleaning removes harmful substances that can cause infections like UTIs, yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, etc. Yes, sex toys can transmit STDs, so it’s super important to wash them thoroughly after every use, especially if you’re doing things differently or sharing with a partner. Cleaning also helps extend the life of your sex toys and reduces the chance of material-related reactions.

Tips for Quickly Cleaning Your Sex Toys

Before we get into all the different products and methods for caring for your sex toys, let's first discuss some essential, quick housekeeping tips that apply to all types of sex toys:

Quick Cleanup: After using your sex toy, give it a quick clean to prevent gunk and bacteria buildup.

Follow the manufacturer's cleaning guidelines: Stick to the manufacturer's cleaning tips; they're tailored to the material and design of your sex toy to help keep it in top condition.

Remove Batteries: When cleaning battery operated sex toys, remember to remove the batteries, if applicable. This helps protect the electronic components and keep everything running smoothly.

Check the water resistance: Check how wet you can get your sex toy, such as waterproof, showerproof, or splashproof. This will help you understand how to clean it properly. Waterproof sex toys can be submerged in water without any problems. Showerproof sex toys can withstand exposure to water, such as taking a shower or rinsing them under running water, but do not submerge them like waterproof sex toys. Splashproof sex toys can withstand some water, such as splashing during cleaning or use.

Identify the Material: Check the packaging or information online to determine whether your sex toy is porous or non-porous for proper cleaning and care.

Dry after cleaning: Make sure your sex toys are completely dry to prevent bacteria and mold growth. You can either let them air dry in a well-ventilated area or use a clean towel to dry them.

Use condoms: While not necessary, using a condom with any sex toy can help with cleaning. Some porous, lower-quality sex toys can still harbor bacteria or contain toxic chemicals even after cleaning. In these cases, always use unlubricated polyurethane condoms.

Smart Storage: After cleaning, store your sex toy in a clean bag or container to protect it from dust and dirt. Store in a cool, dark place away from heat to prevent damage.

Which sex toys should you definitely clean properly?

Some sex toys definitely require proper cleaning.

In particular anal toys like a anal dildo or butt plug must definitely be cleaned thoroughly, otherwise unpleasant situations may arise.

The same applies to sex toys that you insert vaginally. Think of a tarzan vibrator , G-Spot vibrators and vibrating eggs . Poor cleaning after use can cause nasty infections. If you use soap and water, make sure the toys are waterproof!

How to Clean Sex Toys Properly by Material

With all the different sex toys out there vibrators , butt plugs, Strap-ons , plus bondage gear like cuffs, belts, cock rings, and ball gags — figuring out how to keep them clean can be a little tricky. Properly cleaning sex toys depends on the material they’re made from, and each material comes with care instructions. Most sex toys can be categorized as either porous or nonporous, so here’s a breakdown of how to properly clean each type of material.

Cleaning sex toys made of porous materials

Sex toys made from porous materials like rubber, vinyl, cyberskin, nylon, certain stones, and leather are difficult to clean because they tend to harbor bacteria and mold more than non-porous sex toys. While some people prefer porous sex toys, most experts recommend going with clear ones, especially jelly rubber, TPR/TPE, silicone blends, and PVC, as they can’t be thoroughly disinfected and can leach some harmful chemicals. For safer play, use unlubricated polyurethane condoms on porous sex toys, use externally, avoid harsh chemicals that linger, and throw out any sex toy that is discolored or has an odor.

Cleaning Cyberskin, TPE and TPR Sex Toys

Sex toys made from cyberskin, TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), and TPR (thermoplastic rubber) materials require special care to maintain their lifelike texture. They provide a realistic experience in products like dildos, vibrators, and masturbators. Wash these items gently with lukewarm, soapy water or a sex toy cleaner, let them air dry, and dust them with cornstarch or cyberskin powder. Even with thorough cleaning, it can be difficult to achieve total sterility due to their porous nature. An additional safety note: TPE and TPR sex toys may contain phthalates, so using condoms can help reduce the risk of bacterial transmission. These materials are commonly found in masturbators and artificial vaginas

Cleaning a jelly sex toy

Jelly rubber sex toys, such as dildos and vibrators, are often colorful and inexpensive. However, their porous nature can make them difficult to clean and sterilize. Rinse with warm water and mild soap or a sex toy cleaner, dry thoroughly, and store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. However, because the chemical composition is not always known or verified, it is recommended to use a condom with jelly rubber sex toys for added safety.

How to clean a PVC sex toy

PVC, also known as polyvinyl chloride, is often used in sex toys like dildos and vibrators because it's affordable and flexible. To clean PVC sex toys, use warm water and mild soap or a sex toy cleaner and make sure they're dry before storing. Because PVC can't be fully sterilized and may contain phthalates to increase flexibility, you may want to consider using a condom on PVC sex toys to reduce the risk of bacteria and exposure to harmful substances.

How to Clean Nylon or Cotton Sex Toys

Nylon and cotton are common choices for bondage sex toys, such as rope or handcuffs. To clean nylon sex toys, use a mild soap and follow the instructions on the label for machine or hand washing. Because cotton is absorbent, you should be careful when cleaning it. Hand wash cotton sex toys in cold water with a mild soap to maintain their quality. Make sure they dry completely to prevent mold growth.

Cleaning Vinyl Sex Toys

Vinyl is a soft material that is often used in sex toys such as inflatables and bondage items like cuffs and blindfolds. To properly clean vinyl sex toys, use warm water and mild soap, being gentle to avoid damaging the material. Skip the harsh detergents, alcohol, or heat. Make sure they are completely dry after cleaning, then lightly dust them with cornstarch to prevent stickiness. Store them in a cool, dry place, preferably in separate bags, to avoid adverse reactions.

How to Clean Latex Sex Toys

Latex is known for its stretch and snug fit, which is often found in sex toys such as dildos and fetish wear such as bodysuits, gloves, and masks. When cleaning latex sex toys, handle them gently to avoid tearing. Use warm water, mild soap, or a special sex toy cleaner for latex products.

How to clean leather sex toys?

Leather is often used in BDSM and fetish sex toys such as restraints, whips, floggers, handcuffs, paddles and bondage gear. To clean leather sex toys, wipe them down with a damp cloth and mild soap or a special leather cleaner, then wipe dry. Avoid harsh chemicals or alcohol-based cleaners to prevent damage. After cleaning, condition the leather with leather conditioner to maintain suppleness and prevent cracking.

Cleaning Unpainted Wooden Sex Toys

Wooden sex toys can be porous or non-porous depending on the coating used. This is a popular material for BDSM gear like paddles and floggers. If your wooden sex toy is uncoated, wash it with a soapy washcloth and room temperature water. Dry thoroughly with a soft towel after cleaning to prevent warping. To keep your wood looking beautiful, consider conditioning it with safe, natural oils like coconut oil. Be sure not to submerge your wood in water while washing, as excess moisture can cause mold and bacteria to build up. Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, as these can damage the wood.

Cleaning Sex Toys Made of Non-Porous Materials

Non-porous materials such as silicone, glass, stainless steel, or hard plastic are the recommended choice of materials for sex toys because they don’t harbor bacteria, which is better for your health. They can also be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected compared to porous sex toys. Although non-porous materials are less likely to harbor bacteria, it is still essential to clean them thoroughly after every use for good hygiene.

Cleaning glass sex toys

Glass sex toys like dildos, butt plugs, and anal beads are often made from premium materials like borosilicate glass (like Pyrex) and soda-lime glass. Some glass sex toys, like crystal, can be porous or non-porous, so check this before cleaning. Use hand soap and room-temperature water to clean the surface. Avoid harsh detergents or hard brushes that can scratch the glass. Additionally, you can clean Pyrex sex toys in the dishwasher or by boiling.

Boiling: If boiling, boil for only 3 minutes and wrap in a washcloth to prevent cracking or chipping as they may pop through the pot. After removing the glass from the cooking pot, do not rinse or immerse it in cold water as the extreme temperature change may cause the glass to chip or crack.

Put them in the dishwasher: If you are going to put them in the dishwasher, make sure to clean the surface with soap and water first, then place them in the top rack of your dishwasher, run a sanitize cycle without soap or detergent, and make sure the temperature is a good 150°F to effectively destroy those germs.

How to clean metal sex toys?

Metal sex toys, made from stainless steel, aluminum, and fancy metals like gold and silver, offer durability, weight, and easy cleaning benefits. They include anal plugs, Ben Wa balls, cock rings, nipple clamps, cuffs, collars, and chastity devices. To clean these sex toys, hand soap and room temperature water work well; for electric sex toys, warm, soapy water is fine, but be careful not to completely submerge them. For non-electric metal sex toys, you can boil them for 3 minutes or place them on the top rack of the dishwasher on the sanitizing cycle without detergent for a thorough cleaning. For a sanitizing soak, try a 10% bleach solution for 5-10 minutes, then rinse and dry completely. Remember to wear gloves when using bleach and do not mix it with other cleaning products.

How to clean hard plastic sex toys?

ABS plastic, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, is a durable thermoplastic found in many adult sex toys. Use warm water and antibacterial soap to clean ABS plastic sex toys. For a deeper clean, you can use sex toy cleaners: spray, wait 10 minutes, and rinse. Avoid rubbing alcohol, as it can cause yellowing of the plastic and damage the polyurethane (PU) coating. Boiling hard plastic sex toys is not recommended.

How do you clean stone sex toys?

Stone sex toys, like certain dildos and Ben Wa balls, have a cool texture and can play with temperature. They are made from materials like jade, obsidian, and marble, which makes them look great and last a long time. Cleaning them varies depending on whether the stone is porous or non-porous. Non-porous stones can be easily cleaned with warm water and soap. For porous stones, use a soft washcloth with room temperature water and stay away from harsh chemicals.

How to clean coated wooden sex toys?

If your wooden sex toys have a varnish or coating, they may be non-porous. Cleaning non-porous wooden sex toys is easy: wash with warm water and mild soap. Dry thoroughly with a soft towel after cleaning to prevent warping. To keep the wood looking nice, consider conditioning it with safe, natural oils like coconut oil. Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, as these can damage the wood.

How to clean acrylic sex toys?

Acrylic sex toys, with their clear, glass-like appearance and lightweight feel, cover a range of items from bondage gear to dildos. Use mild soap and warm water to clean them, rinsing thoroughly to remove any soap residue. For a deeper clean, try a sex toy cleaner, wait 10 minutes, then rinse. For a proper clean, use 70% isopropyl alcohol or diluted bleach (1:10 ratio), let it soak for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Remember: don’t use rough objects on acrylic sex toys to avoid scratching. Also, keep them away from high temperatures, such as cooking or the dishwasher, to avoid damage. Read more about the materials used in the manufacture of sex toys.

Conclusion!

Clean your sex toys with water and/or a spray after each use, make sure you store your sex toys dry in a dust-free environment so that you do not get substances in your body later that you do not want.

To ask

If you have any questions about a toy cleaner, you can always call customer service and they will help you further.