Takeaway: Properly using and cleaning your toys is very important for both the longevity of the product and for your health and hygiene. It can be confusing to know what products to use and how though. Let us help you clean them and discuss products to use.
With any item we own, we should properly care for it. That includes sex toys! Correct cleaning is vital to ensure it lasts as long as possible and keeps you safe and hygienic. Bacteria builds up if you do not clean your toys, and can cause infections. Yeast infections and even STDs can be transmitted with improperly cleaned toys.
Toy materials and features will determine how it should be cleaned. The information can be found on packaging or in online descriptions. But for good measure, here are a few guidelines:
- Motorized products of silicone, glass, steel, or wood can be washed with mild soaps and a damp cloth.
- Non-motorized toys of silicone, Pyrex, stainless steel, or stone can be run through the dishwasher or boiled for up to ten minutes.
- Cyberskin only requires water and a gentle soap without excessive sudsing.
- Hard plastics, jelly rubber, and elastomers may still contain germs after a good washing, so it’s best to use them with a condom. After the toy is clean, dry it with a towel and store in a case or silk bag to keep it hygienic until next use. Consider cleaning it again before use, especially it was exposed to anything uncovered. Do not store in plastic or Tupperware, as these can leach chemicals. Take out batteries when the toy isn´t in use so that they don’t corrode inside.
And for an extra boost when it comes to getting those pleasure products sparkling clean...here’s a little cheat sheet on our top 7 favourite toy cleaning products...
7 Sex Toy Cleaning Products for Optimal Health & Hygiene
This sex toy cleaner kills 99.9% of germs, and includes zinc salts to reduce chance of irritation. This spray is pH-balanced, and has antifungal and anti-viral properties. The body safe formula does not need to be rinsed off the toy afterwards. It’s designed to work with latex, rubber, and silicone toys.
This 2-piece cleaning kit was made for the Fanta Flesh product line, and it includes a bottle of Pipedream Extreme Moist Lubricant. It can be used on many other toys as well. This kit contains Fanta Flesh Revive powder to return your toys to their original softness. You use it by applying the powder all over the toys, including the inside of masturbators. The Antibacterial Toy Cleaner spray is safe to use on silicone, plastic, and latex. The Pipedream Extreme Moist Lubricant, was voted best lubricant by Women’s Health Magazine! It´s water-based, fragrance-free, and safe for condoms.
An organic foaming cleanser safe for use on all silicones, plastics, glass, and stainless steel toys. This product does not contain alcohol, parabens, or other harsh chemicals like Triclosan, known to alter hormonal balances. It’s infused with lavender oil, tea tree oil, and Guava Bark. All naturally cleansing, the Guava Bark is antibacterial as well. It’s designed to be as natural and gentle as possible for all toys and human skin as a plus to its main job of getting rid of bacteria.
This product has been specifically designed for Bathmate and Hydromax, but could work for similar products too. Included is a Cleaning Brush, with a spare sponge head. The brush is designed to be able to clean inside of the product easily, while the long handle means all of the inside can be in reach to clean. Two high quality towels are included to dry off the toys without leaving lint and bits of fabric. The Hydropump can be stored in the hard shell casing sold with the kit.
An odour-free, dermatologically tested, contains zero alcohol, and uses a 100 percent natural antibacterial active ingredient. What’s also great is that it can be used to clean intimate areas and other parts of the body, as well as your pleasure products. Just take note that when you’re using it on latex, rubber, or silicone sex toys that you add a few sprays on the surface, then wipe it off afterwards.
An all-round winner, as it’s suitable to use on all sex toy materials. It contains no odour, and is super easy to use. Simply spray Cleene on the entirety of your toy and leave it on for roughly one-minute. Then grab a soft cloth and wipe it off, rinse it with water and let it dry.
A 2-in-1 product that’s smooth and suitable for use on the skin and your toys. In fact, it’s highly recommended for pleasure products that have been coated in silicone lube. This sex toy cleaner can be used on latex, rubber, and silicone pleasure products. Use it by spraying the entire toy, wipe with a clean cloth, then rinse under water. Allow it to air dry, and voila!
So, while sex toy cleaning can be a mystifying subject and tends to be a taboo topic, we’re always down to make your intimate life a little less intimidating, and giving you the right tools to enjoy a healthy sense of sexual wellness.
It’s also up to you to educate yourself on things like how to keep your sex toys clean by reading up about toy cleaner beforehand, and making sure you’re buying the best product for your favourite toy! After all, it’s all about keeping you healthy and hygienic!
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