Guide to cleaning your sex toys
After that moment of bliss when the vibrator fell to the floor, sometimes we forget the importance of cleanign our sex toys.
Bacteria is bacteria. While bacteria is an important part of vaginal health, some bacterias aren’t. So cleaning your sex toys regularly, as in after every use, even if you’re not inserting them is important.
Alexandra Fine, the co-founder and CEO of Dame Products says, “Cleaning your sex toys helps prevent infection, as bacteria can linger if they aren’t washed properly.”
When you buy a sex toy, the first thing to do is find out what it’s made of and then check the cleaning requirements. Your body may also be sensitive to certain chemicals in the toys, so that can be important to knowing which one is right for you.
Sex toys are made from two types of materials, so here’s what to know;
Non-Porous Vs. Porous: It’s best to avoid porous sex toys since they’re a haven for bad bacterias, even after cleaning. Porous materials include ones like TPE or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Non-porous materials are the best and so much easier to keep clean, so ones made of glass, medical-grade silicone, Pyrex or stainless steel.
Medical Grade: A product can be considered “body safe” but that doesn’t mean it’s medical grade. So best to check a product that says “medical grade” when buying.
Cleaning Sex Toys
When cleaning your sex toys, if they’re motorized, you need to take that into account so you don’t damage the motor or batteries.
Silicone, Stainless Steel, Glass and Wood – Motorized: Best to use a mild antibacterial soap, like you’d use on your body. Use a damp cloth to wipe the toy clean.
Pyrex, Silicone, Stainless Steel, Stone – Not Motorized: If you want to do a truly deep clean, put the toy in boiling water for 8-10 minutes or run through the dishwasher without soap.
Cyberskin: This is a sensitive material even though it’s medical grade so a little bit of soap and warm water. Don’t over suds it, that can damage the material.
Hard Plastic, jelly rubber, elastomer or TPR: These are the porous materials, so if you do have one or more, remember, they can still harbour bacteria more easily. So if you’re sharing with a partner, use a condom.
There are packaged cleaners on the market too. Some are sold by the toy company itself, while others are available on Amazon and other health and wellness sites online. Be careful with Amazon that you’re not getting fake material from a source you can’t trust.
Be sure to wipe your toy dry with a clean towel and store them in a dry place and you can also buy boxes and bags specially designed for sex toys. Avoiding moisture avoids bacterial build up. So, have fun!
More Insights: Check out this great article on why a good night’s sleep might be best for good sex!