Sex toys need to be loved as much as the orgasms they bring. Looking after them will ensure longevity and rid them of any pesky UTIs or STIs, so you can continue to enjoy them for as long as possible.
Regular cleaning is a guaranteed way to maintain the quality of your sex toy.
However, with all the different types of materials used to create these wonderful pleasure tools, it can be hard to know how to properly care for them.
Let’s break it down.
How Often Should I Clean My Toys?
Like all boring chores, cleaning sex toys is a necessary skill to learn.
Once we have had that O, we're not thinking about cleaning, but it’s super important to keep infections and STIs away from your genitals – especially for those who have vulvas!
Toys should be cleaned after every use. If you’re using them on different parts of the body then they should be cleaned before touching the new area, such as the mouth, vagina or anus.
All sex toys should come with instructions on how to clean them. But like with any manual, it’s the first thing we throw out from the sheer excitement of using our new toy!
Common Mistakes Made With Toy Cleaning
Here are some common mistakes when it comes to cleaning your sex toys!
1. Not Cleaning Your Toy When It First Arrives.
You may think, why do I need to wash it? It has never been used? But like with any product, these toys will have been handled during the packaging process and can have remnants of the machinery used to make them. Remember, your genitals are lil’ sensitive organs with lil’ sensitive PHs.
Toys are not required to be sold sterile so there could be all sorts of dust and bacteria on them!
2. Not Checking Whether Your Toy Is Waterproof
Nowadays, most toys are waterproof or at least water-resistant, but it is still a good idea to check before you go boiling it in water or taking it in the bath with you!
Nothing is more heartbreaking than a broken sex toy.
3. Not Drying Your Sex Toys Properly
This is a wise one to stick to!
If you do not dry your toys from excess water/liquid before putting them back into their home, it could create a cosy and damp breeding ground for bacteria!
4. Using Scented Soaps, Household Products or Bleach!
Remember, your toys are going to be in and around your genitals. If you haven’t rinsed it properly, our super absorbent pink bits will soak it up causing irritation and infection.
5. Cleaning Porous Toys Like You Would A Non-Porous Toy
If your chosen toy is made from porous material, it’s more important to clean it thoroughly than a non-porous toy. The little pores and gaps are a great place for bacteria to hide in.
It’s advised to even wear a condom with these types of toys – especially when sharing!
How To Clean Glass, Silicone & Pyrex Toys
These types of sex toys should be boiled in hot water and cleaned with MILD unscented soap or toy cleaner (I recommend the Sweet Vibes ‘Foami’ Toy Cleaner – grab 15% off with me!) – this only applies if the toy is made from non-porous silicone and isn’t motorised.
If the toy is not waterproof and is motorised, place it under a hot water stream using a mild soap/toy cleaner to sterilise. Do not submerge under the water!
Always rinse the sex toy well to reduce bacteria build-up and the risk of getting a pesky STI!
Note: if your toy is not motorised or porous, you can put it in the dishwasher to clean. Saves you from doing it yourself!
How To Clean Rubber, PVC & Jelly Toys
These types of sex toys are porous. Within these pores, bacteria can hide, making them difficult to clean thoroughly.
Therefore, you should aim to clean them with warm water and mild soap - before and after use - to reduce the risk of infection.
To get into those smaller areas, I recommend buying a special spray cleaner used with a toothbrush to get into the crevices (not the same one you use to brush your teeth with obvs…).
It is recommended to use condoms with these toys.
How To Clean Crystal, Stone & Non-Pyrex Glass Toys
These types of sex toys are generally porous unless they have been sealed in a specific way.
Clean with mild soap/toy cleaner and warm water or a damp soapy cloth.
Crystal and Non-Pyrex glass are delicate to heat, so do not boil.
Make sure you rinse and dry well to reduce the risk of infection from the soap.
How To Clean Wood & Leather Toys
Both types of toys tend to be very porous unless the wood has been treated with a medical-grade sealant.
Clean your wooden toy with warm water and mild soap or a damp soapy cloth. Think of how you would clean your wooden chopping board and apply the same method.
Leather toys can be hard to clean as they’re incredibly porous. However, wipe down with a damp soapy cloth and leave it to air dry. Don’t miss the stitching!
