How do I clean and maintain my sex toys? Practical care, storage & material tips

Sex toys are fun to play with but once you’ve had your wicked way, you’ll need to give your gadget the aftercare it deserves.

Tempting as it is to discard your dildos on the floor or banish your butt plugs to a drawer it’s essential that you clean and maintain your sex toy after every use.

Cleaning sex toys..why is it important?

Whether you’re engaging in solo sex with your beloved rabbit vibrators or slipping cock rings onto your lover's shaft you’ll need to take proper care of your sex toy.

When you’re buzzing pussies with wand vibrators and thrusting and pulsating dildos into butt holes your toys are going to get mucky.

Sex toys come into contact with bare flesh, genitals, and bodily fluids, so it stands to reason your toys will need a thorough cleaning.

I remember being a bit taken aback when buying my first sex toy.

I was chatting excitedly with my friend about it, enthusiastically planning my first solo sex toy mission, when she stopped me mid-sentence.

My smile faded as she described contracting a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) from a dirty dildo. She went on to explain UTIs can be picked up when masturbating with a sex toy as they can propel bacteria toward your urethra.

Genitals are sensitive and vaginas are particularly absorbent, therefore dirty sex toys can lead to all sorts of problems including UTIs, yeast infections, and bacterial vaginosis issues.

Thankfully, your chances of contracting nasty disorders decrease dramatically if you clean your sex toy after each use.

So, I vowed to look after my sex toys and I still do.

Clean them BEFORE and AFTER

I give them a clean before and after I masturbate or use a device with my partner.

My efforts eradicate germs, guard against bacteria, and help keep my beloved toys in tip-top condition.

Choose high-quality toys and the right cleaning method

There are plenty of sex toys on the market, but not all are equal.

Substandard toys won’t last the test of time and could prove harmful. I always buy top quality toys from reputable manufacturers, like The Sex Shed, so I know what I’m getting.

I usually stick to non-porous toys such as medical-grade silicone vibrators as they are easier to clean and less likely to harbor harmful bacteria.

Porous sex toys such as gadgets made from elastomer, jelly rubber, and hard plastic might look the part but they can harbor bacteria, even after washing.

Learn everything about sex toy materials.

One solution is to use a condom to cover your toy. You can keep porous toys cleaner this way.

Condoms are also a good idea if you’re using a vibrator or dildo with a partner as sheathing your toy keeps play hygienic.

Condoms are also good option if you're changing partners.

Once you’ve used your toy, be it to masturbate or to tease and toy with your lover it’s time to get cleaning.

Of course, you don’t have to jump out of bed in a flurry and head to the nearest sink. Allow yourself time to enjoy the post-cum glow before you get soaping and wiping.

There are different methods you can use to clean sex toys but one of the easiest is to use mild anti-bacterial soap and water.

Give your toy a thorough wash, then dry it with a clean cloth.

About sex toy cleaners...

If you don’t mind spending a bit of extra cash you can invest in a specialist sex toy cleaning solution, although, in our experience, anti-bacterial soap and warm water work best.

Should you decide to go that way, shop around sex toy cleaners before you purchase, and buy a water-based cleaner that does not contain parabens or alcohol. if in doubt check the ingredients listed on the bottle and look at the product website.

Boiling sex toys

You may have heard people mention putting sex toys in the dishwasher or boiling to sanitize. This is recommended if you are changing partners.

While this may work for some toys, you risk damaging your gadget. As a rule of thumb, some nonporous toys such as waterproof products manufactured from pure silicone can be boiled for a couple of minutes.

However, if the product contains a motor steer clear of this method.

Dishwashers are renowned for their cleansing abilities but dishwasher soap can leave telltale residue that’s hard to remove.

You can place silicone, glass, and stainless-steel toys in the dishwasher for up to ten minutes, but don’t add the soapy solution.

If you’re feeling flush you could invest in a UV sterilizer and wash your toys with a UV light.

The fancy cleaners disinfect your toys but you’ll still need to give your gizmos a good wipe with a moist cloth before you pop them under the light. The UV will exterminate bacteria but won’t remove bodily fluids or grime.

Another method is to clean your toy with wet wipes.

While this is handy if you’re out and about or need to clean up a sticky mess quickly, I wouldn’t advise using this method solely. The wipes will provide a fast clean but you’ll need to follow up with a soap and water wash or sex toy cleaner spray.

Inspect your toys every now and then

I’d also advise checking your sex toy collection from time to time. Think of it as an appraisal to ensure your goodies are in good working order and fit for purpose.

If your dildo is looking discolored or your anal beads smell a little pongy it’s time to say farewell and invest in a replacement.

Your toy has been well used, washed, and dried and now it’s time to pack it away for another day.

Sex toys are often sold with a pouch but if yours doesn't have one you’ll need to pop your device in a zip-up bag or lidded box.

Store toys in separate bags or boxes for hygiene and never leave your gadget lying uncovered as it can pick up harmful bacteria.

Sex toys can bring oodles of fun. Whether you’re a fan of dildos, vibrators, cock rings, anal beads, or other delightful devices, you’re guaranteed to have a good time.

Just remember to treat your toy with the care it deserves. Wash it after each use, dry it, and pack it safely to protect it.

Here’s to enjoying germ-free play and keeping your sex toy in prime condition.