How Do I Clean My Sex Toy?
How to Safely Clean Your Sex Toys, According to Experts
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Whether for your own pleasure or to spice things up with a partner, sex toys are a great addition to for those who want to broaden their sex life. While there are certainly a large variety of different toys to use for pleasure, information on cleaning these products tends to be overlooked. If you plan on getting the most milage out of these toys without any risk of infection, you definitely don't want to skip on a good cleaning sesh.
Practicing good hygiene and ensuring your toys are clean is an important part of maintaining a healthy sex life. Since sex toys come in different shapes and types of materials, it can be overwhelming to figure out exactly how to clean what toy(s) you have. If you find yourself in this situation, read on for expert tips about how to clean and maintain your dildo, vibrator, or any other sex toy you have stored away.
Sex Toy Cleaning Tips
If you recently bought a new sex toy, it is best to fully examine it before you clean it and subsequently use it. "Your sex toy should be free from imperfections like bumps, cracks, or tears," explains sex therapist Aliyah Moore, PhD. "Any damage can either hold bacteria or injure the soft tissues on your insides."
After inspecting your toy, consider its material to best determine how to clean it and what products are OK to use on it. Sex toys are commonly made out of silicone, glass, or metal, which are all safe for use and easy to clean. However, sex therapist Shadeen Francis, LMFT, warns buyers to avoid porous toys, as these can easily hold bacteria and are harder to clean. "Avoid using toys made with wood, crystals, stones like jade and rose quartz, latex, rubber, jelly, PVC, and vinyl without a barrier of some sort," Francis advises.
Generally speaking, a good rule of thumb to observe when cleaning sex toys is to be mindful of the toy's shape. "Pay particular attention to cleaning any nooks or ridges on the toy," Dr. Moore advises. "These spots are often where bacteria accumulates the most." While many brands have specialised cleaners for their toys, Dr. Moore says simply using a mild soap and warm water is both the most practical and accessible way to clean most sex toys.
How to Clean a Dildo
Dildos can come in different types of materials, but the most common ones are made of silicone, glass, or metal. In this case, a mild soap and warm water is the best way to clean your dildo. "Choose a fragrance-free soap to avoid irritations on skin contact or disruptions to your pH balance if the toy is an insertable like a dildo," Francis suggests. "Simply fill a basin with warm soapy water, and use it to wash your toys. You can submerge them for a few minutes, or simply wash them with a washcloth and rinse them."
Alternatively, you can use boiling water to sanitise your dildo, though be sure to check the information from the toy's manufacturer to determine if it can withstand high temperatures. According to Dr. Moore, dildos made from materials like borosilicate glass, stainless steel, and 100 percent silicone are heat-resistant and fine to boil for 5-10 minutes.
How to Clean a Vibrator
Since vibrating toys like bullet vibrators, wand massagers, suckers, etc. contain batteries or electronic parts, cleaning them requires a few extra steps to protect the toy and ensure your safety. Francis urges owners of these kinds of sex toys to thoroughly read through the manufacturer guide to determine the best cleaning recommendations.
"If the vibrator isn't waterproof, you can use a sex toy spray or a piece of wet cloth soaked in some mild antibacterial soap and warm water to wipe your vibrator thoroughly," Dr. Moore recommends. "Ensure that no moisture gets inside the toy's open ports."
Before you clean your vibrating toy, first take out any and all batteries and/or unplug it. If it is waterproof, you can use warm water and a mild soap to clean it. After you're done wiping your vibrator, thoroughly pat it dry with a lint-free towel or paper towel, and let it dry for a few minutes to ensure there isn't any lingering moisture or water.
Best Sex Toy Cleaners
Both Francis and Dr. Moore recommend warm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap to clean sex toys. While these are easily the most accessible options, if you're looking for something more premium, there are also a handful of great sex toy cleaning products both experts recommend.
- When it comes to cleaning your silicone toys and vibrators, Lelo's Premium Cleaning Spray (£13.90) is an affordable, effective option. Since it's alcohol- and paraben-free, the spray won't damage your toys or leave behind any harmful chemicals.
- If you're looking for something on the more natural side, Dr. Moore suggests trying the Sliquid Shine Organic Toy Cleaner (£10), as it contains all organic ingredients, is vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and fragrance-free. The cleaner is aloe vera-based and completely water-soluble for a quick and easy cleanup.
- While spray cleaners are one option for simply cleaning your sex toys, there are other products out there that provide a deeper clean. If you're looking to completely sanitise your toys, Francis recommends the b-Vibe UV Sterilizer Pouch (£44.95), to thoroughly sterilise your toys and kill any harmful bacteria.
