Good sex toy cleaning habits are key to protecting your health and keeping your entertainment tools in good shape. However, it is one of the most common parts of owning sex toys.
You might think, “PFFF, how difficult is to clean sex toys?” Well, the process is very simple, but many people make cleaning mistakes unconsciously, which not only leads to some dirt accumulation: we’re talking about skin irritation, possible infections, and permanent toy damage.
So, what are the most common sex toy cleaning mistakes people make? There are five:
- Use the wrong cleaning product to clean the toys.
- The toys are not cleaned before and after each use.
- Flooding non-waterproof toys in the water.
- Do not dry sex toys correctly before storing them.
- Store sex toys in the wrong way.
Don’t worry. Even if you may have made one (or more) sex toy cleaning mistakes in the past, this practical guide will help you avoid the same mistakes in the future so that you can make sure things are safe, fresh and lasting.
Ready? Let’s dive in!
Error 1: Use the wrong cleaning product
The first mistake people make when cleaning sex toys is using the wrong cleaner. When wiping a toy, grab bleach, alcohol, or your preferred bathroom cleaner (they effectively kill bacteria after all, right?
First, strong cleansers and traces of fragrance can cause skin irritation. Just imagine – your sex toys touch the delicate skin of your body in the most intimate place. You don’t want any harsh chemicals to come into contact with naked skin.
The wrong cleaning products are dangerous not only to your skin, but also to your sex toys. Harsh chemicals degrade delicate materials such as silicone or rubber. Additionally, alcohol-based cleaning products may dry the surface, which may cause sex toys to start rupturing or make the surface sticky.
How to avoid
Rather than grabbing anything in the supply cabinet to clean sex toys, choose a easier and safer alternative – perfume-free soap (such as odorless hand or baby soap) and warm water to wash the toys.
Additionally, you can choose a specialized sex toy cleaner, which is made to clean sex toys and is physically safe. Just make sure you check the sex toys to make and whether the cleaner is compatible with the material before use.
Error 2: Don’t clean the toys immediately after use
Another common sex toy cleaning mistake is the absence of sex toys before and after each use. You might think that cleaning is not necessary before use, because the toys are sitting in the drawer all the time, or putting the toy aside after use, intending to wash it off later, but life will block… Suddenly there have been hours (or days) and the sex toys are sitting in the drawer, dirty until you decide to use it again.
Before you know it, you are trapped in an endless cycle that can be harmful to your health, even unaware of it.
You will see that dust, lint, body fluids and lubricants remain on the surface and after a while it is difficult to remove the buildup. This creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria to linger on the toys for a long time after delayed cleaning.
Over time, as more and more bacteria accumulate, it can cause skin irritation and even infection. You may even notice that the surface of the sex toy begins to change and becomes unpleasant.
How to avoid
Instead of putting the toy aside for cleaning other times, make sure to clean the toy immediately after use, even if you feel sleepy or relaxed and don’t want to do so. All need to be rinsed with warm water and gentle soap! Or use a sex toy cleaner to quickly wipe it. It takes five minutes, top.
Also, be sure to clean the new sex toys before using them. Even if the toy is new and unused, it can bring about residues of treatment and packaging, which is not something you want or inside of your body.
Error #3: Immerse non-waterproof toys in water
Normally assume that most sex toys today (especially expensive toys) are waterproof. However, this is not always the case, so you have to check it all the time before dipping the toy in water.
You will see that if you submerge a non-waterproof toy in the water, the water will seep into the battery compartment, motor, or charging port. This can quickly lead to rust, electrical damage or complete failure of the toy.
How to avoid
Before giving your favorite sex toy a full bathtub, make sure to check the manufacturer’s manual or website to see if the toy is waterproof (IPX7) or is only waterproof or splash-proof.
If the package is waterproof (IPX7), go ahead and immerse your toy in water! If not, you need another way to clean it.
To clean non-waterproof toys, use:
- Wipe the surface with a damp cloth with soapy water.
- Toys are safe, alcohol-free, antibacterial wipes.
Error #4: Toys cannot be properly dried before storage
Drying sex toys correctly is just as important as cleaning them thoroughly. You want to wash the toy, shake it quickly, maybe wipe it quickly with a towel and throw it into a drawer or pouch, and it’s still a little wet… This is a recipe for disaster!
Store wet or damp toys can lead to the growth of bacteria or mold due to trapped moisture. This is especially true for toys made of porous materials, but even toys made of non-porous materials can produce odors or discoloration over time.
Essentially, when you store the wet toys, you turn the sex toys into petri dishes for bacteria and mold to reproduce. Honestly, we want to do this because mold is very toxic to health and the accumulation of bacteria can cause infection.
How to avoid
After washing the sex toys, let them completely dry on a clean towel. Do not place them next to a heat source (such as a radiator) or next to direct sunlight to speed up the process – heat and direct sunlight can damage your sex toys.
If you are in a hurry or don’t want to keep the toy for too long, tap the toy gently with a wool cloth (avoid things like tissues that can leave residue). Before storing the toy, make sure there is no water left in the gap, battery compartment, or button.
Error 5: Incorrect storage of toys
Honestly – How do you store sex toys? Did you throw them all into a drawer? Or worse – do your sex toys live in random drawers, unprotected between cables, pens and dust?
There is no judgment here – you are definitely not alone. Many people make the same mistake because of their sex toy mistakes.
While storing sex toys may seem like a trivial thing, proper storage is more important than you think. You will see that dust, lint and other debris can cling to the toy’s silicone and sticky material. Then all this accumulation touches your body in an intimate place…
Also, if you store multiple silicone toys together without barriers, material degradation over time can occur, which can make your sex toys useless, cheesy and sticky.
Storing sex toys in the wrong way can be harmful to your health and the lifespan of your sex toys.
How to avoid
Well, you might be wondering how to properly store sex toys. Well, the easiest and best way to keep them is to store your sex toys in a single storage bag. Lelo’s sex toys always come with satin storage bags that protect against dust and are free of lint.
Another option is to wrap the toys separately on lint-free cloth to protect them from collecting dust and touching each other.
You can store the toys in a clean, dry drawer or a box with a sun-proof box, which is cool and well ventilated.
Avoid storing toys in individual zippered bags, as they tend to capture moisture, resulting in mold and bacterial growth.
If you want to double your efforts, you might find drawer organizers that you can use to store each toy separately to keep all toys neat and separate.
Reward Tips: Check the manufacturer’s cleaning guide
Each toy has different care needs. Some materials may require special treatment, while others may require motors or paints that do not respond well to certain cleaning products. That’s why the best option before cleaning is to always read the toy manual, which usually outlines the best way to clean specific sex toys and things to avoid.
Before the first cleaning, check the brand’s website or read the manual in the toy box. Some brands offer detailed sex toy care tips and video guides to help you – don’t skip these!
If in doubt, wash the toy with a gentle soap and a damp cloth to avoid immersing the toy in water (just in case it is not waterproof). Or, you might contact the brand via email and ask them the best way to clean their sex toys.
Bottom line
Taking care of your sex toys is not complicated! But the right way can make everything change. Correct cleaning of sex toys ensures the safety and long-lasting fun of your favorite toys. So make sure to avoid these sexual toy hygiene mistakes:
- Avoid using harsh cleaners.
- Toys can be cleaned before and after each use.
- Before dipping your sex toys into water, check if they are completely waterproof.
- Dry your sex toy completely before storing it.
- Store your sex toys in a cool and dry place to separate bags to avoid touching and from dust.
If you follow these simple guidelines, your body and sex toys will be grateful for.
What is your current sex toy cleaning routine like? Can you make changes today so that it will be safer and safer in the future?
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