How To Clean And Store Your Sex Toys

Looking after your sex toys properly will mean that they will always be safe and hygienic to use. They will also remain in tip top condition, and be there to aid pleasurable sex for your whole lifetime! It’s not time consuming or complicated to maintain your sex toy kit, and it will be well worth the effort. Here is the best way to go about it. 

Wash after every use

First up: you might be tempted to put the sex toy to one side after you have used it, and bask in the happy afterglow. However, it is very important for health and hygiene reasons to wash the toy as soon as you can, and absolutely crucial before you store it out of sight for next time.

Wash with soap and water

The majority of sex toys are made from silicone, stainless steel, or glass, and can safely be washed with warm water and a mild antibacterial soap. Most motorised toys (such as vibrators) are waterproof, but always check with the manufacturer’s instructions first, and make sure the battery compartment is closed.

It’s still best to avoid fully submerging motorised toys in water. First, give the toy a quick rinse off. Next, apply soap evenly over the surface of the toy, taking care with any ridges and other nooks that could harbour germs. Once you have thoroughly cleaned the toy, rinse it for at least 20 seconds. 

If the toy is not waterproof, wipe it with a damp cloth instead. You can buy specialist sex toy cleaning solutions and wipes if you prefer, but always check the ingredients to make sure that they don’t contain any irritants, such as alcohol or parabens. These could cause inflammation to your skin, and may damage the coating of the toy. 

Avoid putting them in the dishwasher

Don’t believe any stories about boiling sex toys or putting them in the dishwasher to sterilise, as this is not safe in most circumstances. Some non-motorised silicone toys might be dishwasher proof, but avoid using regular detergent, as this may not be fully rinsed off, and will cause irritation to your skin.

Once washed, dry the toy with a clean towel, or leave it to air dry. Don’t put it on a radiator or other heat source to dry, as this may damage it. Make sure that it is thoroughly dry before you put it away.

How to store your sex toys

Before storing the sex toy, check it over for any sign of damage, odours, or discolouration, to make sure it is safe to use for next time. If your sex toy came with a case or pouch, store it in that, so that it is kept separate from other toys and won’t pick up any bacteria. 

If not, you could always improvise with a (clean) sock, condom, or even a paper bag. The most important thing is to keep it dry, dust-free, and apart from other contaminates. If you are living in a shared house and are concerned about discretion, you could always invest in a lockable box or case with a padlock and code for peace of mind.