While safeguarding your and your partner\u2019s health may sound simple, there are actually some common sex toys cleaning and storing mistakes<\/a> that should be avoided.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Following a few simple rules ensures that your products last as long as possible. Read on to learn how to clean silicone sex toys<\/a> and more.<\/span><\/p>\n Cleaning and sanitizing sex toys is essential. Insufficient cleaning, in fact, creates the risk of transmitting bacteria and fungi that can cause vaginosis and urinary tract infections, while improper cleaning, done with detergents or methods not suitable for your toy<\/a>, can damage the coating or make it unusable as well as being harmful to your health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That\u2019s why is necessary not only to routinely clean your toys (i.e. every time you use them), but also schedule a deeper cleaning<\/a> that, when possible, involves sterilizing the objects, which can be done one-off and which must follow very specific rules because it is the one in which it\u2019s easier to make mistakes.<\/span><\/p>\n The cleaning methods for your toy will change depending on the material it is made of. Here is a short list of the main materials that sex toys are made of<\/a> and what they mean for cleaning methods:<\/span><\/p>\n Here\u2019s <\/span>how to clean a sex toy <\/b>that is made of non-porous material (like silicone, glass, metal):<\/span><\/p>\n The best way to clean sex toys made of non-porous materials<\/strong>, such as medical-grade silicone, some types of glass and metal, is to use a damp cloth soaked in a solution of warm water and a mild antibacterial soap<\/a>. Wipe away any soap with a damp cloth and let the sex toy air dry or wipe it with a dry, lint-free cloth.<\/span><\/p>\n If your toy is a dildo<\/strong><\/a> (i.e., it doesn\u2019t have any electrical or electronic parts), you can also disinfect it by boiling it for about three minutes. You shouldn\u2019t do so if the toy\u2019s covered in plastic, which is non-porous but is sensitive to heat.<\/span><\/p>\n If your sex toy is made of porous material<\/strong> (rubber, some types of plastic, jelly, real and synthetic leather, wood and certain types of ceramic and glass may also have a porous surface):<\/span><\/p>\n First of all, you must consider that you will never be able to thoroughly clean this kind of sex toy because the micro porosities of the surface represent a refuge for germs and bacteria and are virtually unreachable. In any case, the best way to clean them is to wash them with warm water and an antibacterial soap if they are waterproof, otherwise with a cloth soaked in a solution of warm water and antibacterial soap. <\/span><\/p>\n You can also use this method for accessories made of leather (like harnesses, masks, floggers\u2026). Let them air dry, and, in the case of materials such as rubber and jelly, often used to make realistic sex toys, sprinkle them with starch to keep them in excellent shape.<\/span><\/p>\n One way to ensure the hygiene of this type of toy is to cover them with a condom before use.<\/span><\/p>\n A big difference in cleaning a sex toy is whether it is waterproof or not<\/a>. But be careful, there are various \u2018degrees\u2019 of being water-resistant:<\/span><\/p>\n If a sex toy is not waterproof<\/strong>, you need to clean it with a damp cloth and, if possible, let it air dry. Remember to always remove the batteries, before you start cleaning it and make sure that the battery compartment does not get wet. Before reinserting the batteries, make sure that everything is perfectly dry because humidity damages the batteries<\/a> and therefore the functioning of your device.<\/span><\/p>\n If a sex toy is splash-proof<\/strong>, this means that it has the minimum degree of water resistance; in this case too, it is advisable to clean it with a damp cloth, always taking care of the mechanical parts.<\/span><\/p>\n If a sex toy is water-resistant, or waterproof<\/strong>, this means that you can submerge it (usually to a maximum depth of a few meters) under water. <\/span>Waterproof sex toys can be washed under water, with complete peace of mind, even if they\u2019re motorized.<\/span><\/p>\n Let’s say that a sex toy is like a toothbrush and should never be shared with anyone. But if you\u2019re part of a monogamous couple, where you have unprotected sex, it is possible that you also share one or more sex toys. In these cases hygiene must be doubled<\/a>, because otherwise there is the risk of passing diseases and infections. <\/span><\/p>\n The same applies to sex toys intended for anal use, a very delicate area and where, potentially, it is easier for bacteria to pass onto the sex toy. In these cases, it may be necessary to sterilize the toys you use. Also, always remember to thoroughly clean a toy you used anally before inserting it in the vagina and vice versa.<\/span><\/p>\n When possible, that is, in the case of non-porous materials, non-plastic objects and without mechanical elements, the best solution remains to boil the sex toy for a few minutes. Otherwise, there are both cleaning sprays for sex toys<\/a> and wipes and UV sterilizers on the market (be careful, however, that these sterilizers eliminate bacteria but do not clean the toy, so it must always be cleaned before being sanitized). Finally, where these methods are not applicable, it is possible to use condoms.<\/span><\/p>\n Germs and bacteria are not the only agents that threaten our health and the lifespan of our pleasure objects. Dust and dirt are equally harmful to both, which is why, in addition to proper hygiene, it is also important to know <\/span>how to store sex toys.<\/span><\/p>\n Again, the best solution varies based on the material our toy is made of, but there are some basic rules that are valid in all cases. Sex toys, of any shape and substance, should be stored in individual cases, so that they are protected from light and dust and, if you have more than one, they shouldn\u2019t be kept close to each other, which, in some cases, could deteriorate the material. Plastic bags should also be avoided.<\/span><\/p>\n When choosing a detergent, always consider that the sex toy you clean will then come into contact with very delicate areas of the body, especially of the female body. In most cases, a mild antibacterial soap and careful hygiene, perhaps with the help of a toothbrush to reach the most hidden parts, is more than enough. Avoid putting your toy in contact with harsh detergents that may contain chemicals that are harmful for the skin. And remember to rinse and dry them properly.<\/span><\/p>\n However, there are situations in which soap and water are not at hand or, even if they are, they are not the most convenient solution. For example, if you want to know <\/span>how to clean a vibrator when you just had an orgasm and have no desire to get up to go to the bathroom, well, know that in these cases, you can use special wipes, soaked in a cleaning solution for sex toys<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n After every use. This is the simplest and most correct answer. <\/span><\/p>\n Leaving a sex toy dirty after using simply shouldn\u2019t be done. So, whether it is immediately after use, or when you get out of bed after a restorative post-orgasm nap, the important thing is that your toy is clean when you store it. Once in a while, just as you polish your shoes and empty your bag, take your clothes to the dry cleaner and do a thorough cleaning of the house, in the same way, you should give your toy(s) a more thorough clean. Boil those that can be boiled and sanitize the others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is not easy to understand when to replace a toy because sometimes, the first signs of deterioration can be barely visible. You should periodically check that the material that covers the toy is intact, that the seams and joints are in excellent condition and, obviously, that the motor is working at its best. <\/span><\/p>\n If the signs of deterioration are clearly visible, such as a toy that changes shape or no longer vibrates as it should, it definitely needs to be replaced. Do not repair a sex toy that no longer works and dispose of (in accordance with your area\u2019s recycling rules) objects that show signs of deterioration. Your personal health comes first.<\/span><\/p>\n Taking care of your sex toys, keeping them clean and storing them in the proper way is essential, not only for the health of your object and its lifespan, but above all for your and your partners\u2019 health<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\nWhy Cleaning Sex Toys is Important<\/h3>\n
Understanding Sex Toy Materials<\/h3>\n
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How To Clean Sex Toys<\/h3>\n
Disinfecting Shared or Anal Toys<\/h3>\n
Storing Sex Toys Properly<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nChoosing the Right Sex Toy Cleaner<\/a><\/h3>\n
How Often Should You Clean Your Sex Toys?<\/h3>\n
Common Mistakes To Avoid<\/h3>\n
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Conclusion<\/h3>\n