How To Clean Sex Toys

Although cleaning your sex toys isn’t the most thrilling part of owning one - make sure you follow all these cleaning steps for a healthy sex life!

Published Apr 12 2021 5 min read

How to clean sex toys may seem simple enough but this is one chore that should be number one on your priority list - even if you are in reveling in post-climactic euphoria. Cleaning your sex toys might not be number one on your priority list but it is one of those very important things that we must all get into the habit of doing (no matter how lazy we are feeling). 

Washing your sex toy prevents possible infections, such as bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, UTI’s and many more. A thorough clean washes away the bacteria that can linger on your sex toys. To ward off any nasties you should wash your sex toys after you use them every time -  and to be doubly safe before you use them too. Ensure you keep them stored in a dry clean location.

  • How to clean sex toys
  • How to clean silicone sex toys
  • How to clean glass sex toys
  • How to clean stainless steel sex toys
  • How to clean hard plastic, jelly rubber, TPR, wood and real feel sex toys
  • How to clean nylon sex toys
  • How to clean leather sex toys
  • Products to clean sex toys
  • Tips to store and keep your sex toys clean
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    How to clean sex toys

    1. For proper cleaning of your sex toy, remove any batteries and never submerge them! A waterproof sex toy can be completely submerged in water, however, it is best to check the cleaning instructions for your sex toy to ensure proper use of water with your product. 

    2. Always use mild soap and water, cleaning products that aren’t scented or specially designed sex toy cleaners. As the sex toy will presumably be in contact with your vulva or penis, you don’t want to cause irritation by using a soap that disrupts your pH balance.

    3. Wash after every use - no matter how much you want to roll over and sleep. This keeps your sex toy in perfect condition and avoids any nasties.

    Before you start cleaning your sex toy, it is vital to find out what material your sex toy is made of, as if you use the wrong kind of cleaning product you could possibly damage the sex toy… and it’s never nice losing a pleasure pal like that. 

    If you’re not familiar with different types of sex toy materials, it would be good to start with understanding their advantages and disadvantages. However, the difference between porous and non-porous sex toy materials is very important when it comes to the cleanliness of your sex toy. Porous materials such as hard plastic, jelly rubber and TPR can hide bacteria inside the sex toy even after cleaning. It is much safer to use materials such as medical-grade silicone, body-safe silicone, glass, and Pyrex. 

    If you really love using sex toys made out of a porous material then we’d recommend you use a condom over it - this will ensure no bacteria gets trapped as even the most thorough clean will not get the porous sex toy 100% clean. Below we’ve listed how to clean sex toys with different materials:

     

    How to clean silicone sex toys

    To clean a silicone sex toy, use body-safe soap and a damp cloth to wipe the sex toy clean. If the toy is waterproof you can give it a deeper clean, by placing the sex toy in boiling water for eight to ten minutes.

     

    How to clean glass sex toys

    You can wash glass sex toys with hand soap and water, using a damp cloth to dry the toy, pop it on a dishwasher cycle or boil for sterilization.

     

    How to clean stainless steel sex toys

    Similarly to waterproof sex toys, stainless steel sex toys can be cleaned using body-safe soap, or for a deeper clean, can be placed in boiling water for eight to ten minutes.

     

    How to clean hard plastic, jelly rubber, TPR, wood and real feel sex toys

    As previously mentioned these are porous materials, so no matter how thoroughly you wash them you can never ensure they are 100% clean. If you are using them, use a condom to ensure no transfer of bacteria. Then clean thoroughly with antibacterial soap and a damp cloth.

     

    How to clean nylon sex toys

    Nylon is most commonly used in harnesses and can often be machine or hand washed with a mild antibacterial - always check the label to check the ideal temperature. 

     

    How to clean leather sex toys

    Leather sex toys are best treated with a wipe-down cloth or a leather cleaner, it is important not to soak leather as it can diminish the quality.

     

    Products to clean sex toys

    Sex toy cleaner

    Clean sex toys with sex toy cleaner

    A specially designed sex toy cleaner, such as Pjur alcohol-free cleaning spray, can cleanse your sex toy intensely yet remain odorless and neutral as to not disrupt the pH of your body.

    BUY IT HERE

     

    Sex toy wipes

    Sex Toy Wipes To Clean Sex Toys

    Sex toy wipes/tissues are a very convenient way to keep your sex toys clean as they are gentle enough not to disrupt your pH and remove lube and odor in a flash. They are perfect for a quick clean but for a more thorough clean, it is important to use warm soapy water.

    BUY IT HERE

     

    Antibacterial soap and water

    Ensure the soap you are using is a mild antibacterial soap, but this is more than adequate in deeply cleaning your sex toys.

     

    UV sterilizer

    UV sterilizers work by eliminating pathogens and bacteria, you can clean your sex toy by simply putting it in the bag and pressing a button! 

    BUY IT HERE

     

    Tips to store and keep your sex toys clean

    Now you’ve got them clean, how do you keep store sex toys and keep them clean? 

    • Completely dry your sex toys with a clean towel to make sure you don’t transfer any bacteria back onto your freshly washed sex toy. Slightly damp sex toys are susceptible to mold and not only will fungus ruin your sex toys but it is also not something you want coming into contact with your vulva or penis.
    • Store sex toys in a case or silk bag to protect them from other bacteria-laden items and keep them in a cool, dry place out of the sun. High-end, luxury items usually generally come with a bag or box for your sex toy to live in. However, if you didn’t keep the box or case, there are plenty of options you can buy online to keep your sex toy safe. Make sure your sex toy storage case or bag is sealable and washable to really ensure you keep bacteria at bay.

    Although cleaning your sex toys isn’t the most thrilling part of owning one - make sure you follow all these cleaning steps for a healthy sex life! 


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