Here’s how to properly clean your sex toys

The best vibe is a clean vibe. 

It’s very easy to fall in love with a sex toy. Whether you’re single or coupled up, a sex toy can be an incredible companion when you need a little orgasmic pick-me-up. These days it’s not exactly difficult to get your hands on a new sex toy and grow your collection, but sex toys aren’t exactly something you want to frequently replace.

If your sex toys seem to continually fall apart, or simply stop working only weeks after you’ve bought them, there could be a few reasons for this. You may have potentially bought a toy made from low-quality materials, or you may not be taking care of them properly.

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Knowing how to effectively clean and store your sex toys can significantly increase their lifespan and make sure they’re ready for a toe-curling good time whenever you are.

If you’re unsure whether you’re taking care of your sex toys properly, then grab some tea and take a seat, because we’ve got a few hot tips that will help elongate the lives of your favourite toys, so you can keep enjoying their company safely.

First, find out what your toys are made of

Certified sex coach Georgia Grace says the first step to improving the cleanliness of your sex toys is identifying what materials they’re made from. Learning about the materials will not only give you a better idea of how your toy works, but it’ll also let you know whether the toy is body safe, and what products they’re compatible with.

“There’s silicone, plastic… there are some older toys that are made out of this kind of jelly structure. There’re glass dildos, crystal, metal… there’s a lot out there… but it’s really important that when you do get a toy, that you’re making sure that the material is body safe. 

“Sometimes you need to look beyond just what they say online because they may be using a whole range of marketing terms that make you think that it’s safe to use, but getting really clear and doing some research, which can also be fun, will help you make sure that the material of the toy you’re opting for is body safe, okay to be inserted and that the structure of it is safe,” she explains.

A lot of sex toys available today are made from a type of body-safe silicone, which Georgia recommends, not just because it’s safe, but also because it’s actually a very easy material to clean.

So how should you clean it?

With just a trusty cloth, cleaning spray, or antibacterial soap, you’ll be able to easily clean your sex toy so it’s contaminant-free. “The first [thing] would be to wipe it down. Some people like to have a specific cloth because they know that they will take care of it and that will be their toy cloth and won’t be used for their face, or anything else,” says Georgia.

“Then use Normal’s cleaning spray, which is designed for these kinds of products and is anti-bacterial, and won’t destroy the toy, or make it bubbly. Wipe down your toy with this spray or antibacterial soap and warm water. Then get a damp cloth and give that toy a scrub for a few minutes, rinse it, and then leave it to dry.”

If you’ve got a toy that’s made from glass, plastic, or crystal instead of silicone, Georgia says this cleaning method may also work for those materials, however, you’ll need to carefully check the toy’s instructions to be completely sure.

“Typically, using some warm water and a soap or a cleaning spray and keeping it in its bag is a great rule of thumb for all toys. Some toys can be submerged in water and others can’t. Some might not be waterproof, they could be water resistant, but they’re not waterproof. It may be more useful, as a rule of thumb, to find out what material the vibrator or toy you’re using is made from, then check the instructions. 

“There will be very clear instructions on how to clean it, how to take care of it… everything that you should know. Particularly if it has batteries in it – not a lot of toys that are made these days are battery-operated, they’re mostly rechargeable, but just get really clear on those instructions before you clean them. There are so many toys out there and so many materials that each one will have its own unique needs.”

Timing and storage are key

When it comes to cleaning your toys, Georgia also recommends being more mindful about when you do it. Cleaning your sex toys right before you use them (especially if you’re using them internally) can actually do a lot of harm and possibly cause infections. 

“Some people like to clean their toy before they use it, but what you’ll need to do is make sure that there’s no spray or anything that could irritate your body on it and just make sure you give it enough time to dry before you use it. Make sure you don’t put them away wet as well, because wet toys can develop mould and there’s nothing sexy about a mouldy vibe.”

Speaking of storing your sex toys, Georgia says protecting your toys when you’re not using them can not only help you keep them clean, but can also elongate their lifespan by protecting the external materials. 

“If you store toys with different materials together, some can degrade and break down over time. Some materials like plastic and rubber, they can degrade over time especially if they’re stored with other toys. Most toys will come with a little bag, Normal has these really cute little bags their toys come with and keeping it in that will keep the toy safe from dust and other things that may be in your top drawer, or on your bedside table. 

“It also stops it from collecting any bacteria, which is important particularly if you’re using the toy on your genitals, which most people do. They give you these bags for a reason, so just storing your toys in them can also be a really discreet way to have your toys in your bedroom if you don’t want people to know.”

Georgia also recommends storing your toys out of the sun. Bacteria love the sun and can grow on the outside of your vibe if it’s sitting out for long periods of time. The sun’s rays can also damage the external structure of your toy, so storing it in a drawer, cupboard or on a shady shelf is always a good idea.

“If you Google ‘melted sex toys’, you’ll see a few tragic stories of jelly vibes that have just melted into one… as you can imagine, if you have a melted jelly vibe, you wouldn’t want to be putting that in, or around, really sensitive areas.”

As with everything you buy, it’s important to take good care of your sex toys so you can use them often and really get your money’s worth. You wouldn’t chuck your favourite cashmere jumper in the washing machine and dryer; you’d hand wash it and lay it flat to dry or take it to a dry cleaner to have it professionally cleaned. 

This same care should be applied to your sex toy collection and according to Georgia, this care should be applied to every single toy you own, no matter how much you spent on them. 

“We know you can get some toys that are more accessible and some toys that feel like more of an investment, but no matter how much you’re spending you want to take care of these toys because they will last you a really long time. If you’re not cleaning them, storing them, and caring for them in the way that they deserve, they’re not going to last as long, just like anything.”

For advice on how to find the right sex toy for you, head here.