Sex toys are fun. They’re even more fun when they don’t transmit disease and icky bacteria. From vibrators to dildos to sex massagers, your adult toys get all up in your cracks and crevices, and they all must be cleaned.
Sexual health and toys can go hand in hand! All it takes is some elbow grease and a few simple steps. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of clean sex toys and offer the best steps for ensuring safe playtime. Fetch a clean towel, and let’s get to work!
The Importance of Cleaning Your Vibrator
Your vibrator is your bedside bestie. It keeps you company at night, pleases your sexual partners, and gets the job done right. Shouldn’t you be taking care of your silicone friend?
A proper sanitizing routine isn’t just about all the nasty infections you can get. (Though, we’ll 100% be getting to that soon.) It’s about keeping your silicone toys, glass toys, or other nonporous toys functioning well for years to come.
Your clean-up routine will maintain your toys and stop the spread of disease. Without the right sex toy cleaner, you risk damaging your vibrator and catching the following:
- Bacterial Vaginosis: Bacterial infections are no joke. Yeast infections, UTIs, and bacterial vaginosis are all painful conditions that can be caused by using a dirty vibrator. You can’t just disinfect your vag after getting an infection. You’ll have to head to the doctor and take serious action.
- STIs: Sexually Transmitted Infections can be spread by unclean sex devices. Sex toy cleaning is vital if you’re using your vibrator with other individuals. A simple wipe-down is not good enough, even if you’re also using barrier contraceptive methods. (Like a condom or dental dam.)
- Dander and Dirt: Lube and bodily fluids are slippery and often sticky. They remain on your device and pick up lint and dirt. No one wants loose dog hair in their pussy.
Keeping your genitals happy and healthy requires a complete and effective cleaning routine. Warm water and a random washcloth isn’t enough. Read on to learn the best methods and tips for quality sex toy cleaning.
Preparing Your Cleaning Supplies
The truth is that most people think they’re fully cleaning their vibrators. They’ll finish jacking off and then do a quick wash-off, rinse, and air dry. This routine is not enough.
You need to prepare the correct cleaning supplies and use the proper techniques to clean your device thoroughly.
- Antibacterial Soap: Anything from mild soap to foaming soap is fine as long as it’s antibacterial.
- Antibacterial Wipes: The wipes you use must be genuinely antibacterial, and you’ll need to keep them correctly stored so they don’t dry out.
- Boiling Water: This is a great method for nonporous materials, non-battery-operated toys, and durable toys. Your stainless steel or Pyrex vibrators can withstand extreme temperatures for a few minutes. Then, just fish them out and let them dry completely before using or storing them.
- Dishwasher: It’s not as common, and it’s a tough sell with roommates, but using the top rack of the dishwasher to clean your toys is fine.
We’ll also give you a list of cleaning supplies you absolutely do not need, including bleach, scented hand soap, and sanitizer. In general, please don’t put harsh chemicals or scents near your genitals.
Masturbation should be fun, not risky to your health. Use the right supplies to get your vibrator squeaky clean.
The Many Ways to Clean Your Vibrator
So, as hinted above, the four main methods of vibrator cleaning are hand washing with antibacterial soap, hand washing with wipes, boiling water, and a dishwasher. Each method has its perks, and each is effective for specific toys.
We’ll cover the basic steps for each method:
- Antibacterial Washing: First, you’ll want to wipe off your device with a damp cloth. Next, you’ll run some water and lather your toy with the proper soap. Wash well using a soapy washcloth for at least a minute. Finally, wash the soap off with water and let it dry. If you’re using special wipes, you can just wipe down and then wash with water.
- Boiling Water: We gave some great cleaning tips in the previous section, but it’s also important to remember a few key tips. Don’t leave your boiling vibrator unattended. Don’t let the vibrator rest on the bottom of the pot. Lastly, leave the toy at a full rolling boil for at least one minute.
- Dishwasher: The dishwasher move is pretty simple. Obviously, it can’t be used with battery-operated toys, and it shouldn’t be used with porous toys. Also, if you have a crappy dishwasher that barely cleans the food off your dishes, don’t use this method to clean a sex toy (and maybe contact a maintenance team).
Whatever cleaning method you use should get all up in your toy's various nooks and crannies. A clean toy equals a clean vagina.
Mindful Cleaning: Best Practices for Cleaning Vibrators
Thoroughly cleaning vibrators is just the reality of owning one. Sex toys can be tons of fun and revolutionize your self-sex life—as long as they’re properly sanitized.
Here are some of the best practices for keeping your vibrator clean and your snatch sanitary:
- Avoid using cleaning products like Clorox and Windex.
- Don’t store a dirty toy (or let body fluids sit on your toy for too long).
- Don’t use your toy again before thoroughly cleaning it.
- Avoid putting your toy away while still damp.
- Be mindful of the type of material and the best way to clean it to avoid damage.
- Properly store your toy (once dry) to prevent exposure to outside elements.
- Develop a routine to help with consistency.
We recommend keeping all your sex toy cleaning items separate from your everyday items. For example, you should have separate antibacterial soap for your vibrator. If you use the boiling method, consider getting a pot just for your vibrator.
Store these items in the same place every time, either with your vibrator or in a particular spot in your bathroom/kitchen. This routine will help you remember to clean and make it easy.
Practice Safe Toy Hygiene with Fleshlight
A sanitized vibrator will maintain itself for ages, keep your genitals sparkly clean, and prevent the spread of infection. Use this guide to help you clean all your sex toys and keep enjoying orgasm after orgasm.
At Fleshlight, we pride ourselves on being the sex toy experts. Our top guides and resources help scores of freaky people have a fulfilling, safe sex life. Plus, we design and produce epic sex toys that please.
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