The Ultimate Guide to Sex Toy Spring Cleaning | Aldult Toys Blog

There is change in the air. Spring has arrived in the northern hemisphere. Aries Season has begun. It is a time of new beginnings and fresh starts. We discard what no longer works, recharge what still works, and make room for the new.

Enter: spring cleaning.

Housework may not be everyone’s favorite pastime, but spring cleaning is an important ritual for our physical and mental health. And your home isn’t the only one that deserves a deep clean. When was the last time you gave your sex toy box some love?

Whether you are a first sex toy owner or black belt in pleasure products, it is important to get into the habit of organizing and periodically cleaning your sex toys and accessories. And what better time than the change of season to take stock and take care of your most intimate objects.

To make it easier for you, we’ve put together this guide to this year’s sex toy spring cleaning.

1. Check for wear

Examine your toys to check for any changes in appearance since you brought them home.

Softer materials like TPE and silicone can become stressed or torn with use or due to poor storage conditions. Similarly, cracks can occur in harder materials like glass toys shaking. The small openings on the surface of the toy are a place where bacteria can accumulate. Even with regular cleaning, you are at a higher risk of infection.

Any unnatural changes in the shape or color of the toy suggest that the material has been compromised and may no longer be body-safe. Also pay attention to strange odors or if the toy feels sticky, oily, or tacky to the touch. Well-maintained sex toys made with high-quality materials shouldn’t do this, but if your toy was made with potentially toxic materials or exposed to stressful conditions, this can happen.

Since these toys are used in and around your most intimate spaces, you don’t want to take any risks with your health. If you notice a change in the look or feel of your toy, it’s time to replace it.

2. Charge and test your vibrators

When and how you charge your rechargeable sex toy can help with its maintenance. We tend to keep a close eye on the sex toys we use all the time. But the ones that are meant for special occasions or just aren’t our favorites at the moment can get lost in the shuffle. Take the time now to charge them all and make sure they’re still working the way they’re supposed to.

Follow these vibrator charging best practices:

– Fully charge a new toy before using it.

– Wait until the toy’s battery is low or dead before recharging it.

– Make sure the toy is turned off before charging or storing.

– Do not leave your toy on the charger for long periods of time. Charging overnight is fine, but leaving a toy plugged in for several days could negatively affect it.

– Charge the toy periodically if it is not used regularly.

3. Check the batteries

If you have any battery-operated toys, inspect them to make sure they are in good condition inside and out. Batteries can corrode and leak acid, so it is best to remove them between uses. If you notice any leaking batteries, proceed with caution and dispose of them according to your local recycling center.

If you travel frequently with your battery-powered toy, you may forget to remove them every time, and that’s okay. We recommend removing batteries from toys that aren’t part of your regular rotation to prevent leakage and damage to your toy.

4. Throw toys out of circulation

Unfortunately, this can happen to any sex toy. Motors can fail. Water damage can occur. A battery can leak. (Check the date on your purchase. If you purchased the Product protection on your toy when you bought it, you might be covered for your replacement!) Or maybe you’re just ready to move on.

Whatever the reason, there comes a time when you need to get rid of a toy, and you should do it as responsibly as possible. Like other electronics, old vibrators should not be thrown in the trash. However, many recycling centers do not yet have a system in place to properly manage these devices. Check with your local e-waste recycling and disposal facilities to find out their stance on sex toy disposal.

5. Clean all your toys

Now that you’ve sorted through and determined which toys you’ll keep for another season, it’s time to give them the full treatment. You should be How to clean your sex toys properly before and after each use, but this step applies to toys you use frequently as well as occasional ones.

Properly cleaning and disinfecting your sex toys not only helps prevent infections, it also helps preserve your toy. Different toys require different cleaning care depending on their materials, so check the specific care instructions for your toys. Make sure your toy is unplugged or the batteries are removed before cleaning.

Most of the time, warm water and mild, unscented antibacterial soap work just fine. safe cleaner for sex toys Or antibacterial wipes can perform the cleaning processeven more airy. Just be sure to check the ingredients to make sure they are compatible with your toy and your body.

Regardless of method, allow your toy to air dry on a clean surface or pat it with a clean cloth to ensure it is dry before charging or storing.

6. For an even more thorough cleaning of sex toys

After your usual cleaning, you can follow up with isopropyl alcohol or a 10% bleach solution with standard household bleach and water for added disinfection. If you do, just be sure to rinse thoroughly with water again to avoid irritating your skin the next time you use it.

If your toy is made of glass, metal or silicone and does not have a motor inside, you can opt to boil it in hot water.

7. Check your lubricants and oils

Hopefully you have at least one bottle of lube open and in use. Depending on how much and how often you use lube, as well as how many varieties you have on hand, you may come across expired lube at some point.

Typically, lubricants last anywhere from 1 to 3 years, although some can last up to 7 years if unopened. Most have a sell-by date on their packaging, so check the label to get an idea of ​​how old yours is. Just note that the ingredients in the lubricant can affect its shelf life, with silicone based lubricants which lasts longer than water basedOnce opened, this bottle of lubricant will last approximately one year.

Indicators that your lubricant may be expired:

– Consistency:A fresh lubricant is slippery while an expired lubricant will be thicker, more viscous, sticky or tacky.

– Color:A change in color or opacity may indicate expiration.

– Smell: This varies from product to product, but if the smell is different than what you remember, it is probably expired. Massage oils will smell rancid the same way any other oil in your pantry will if left out too long.

The best rule of thumb is: when in doubt, throw it out. When it comes to products that enter your body, prevention is better than cure.

To make your products last longer, store them in a cool, dry and dark place. Avoid the bathroom as heat and humidity can affect these pleasure products. Dark drawers, in a closet or a container under the bed are all better storage options.

8. Check the expiration dates of condoms

Condoms typically last one to five years. Some materials last longer than others, such as polyurethane and latex condoms Condoms containing spermicide or made from polyisoprene have a shelf life of about three years.

How you store your condoms also affects how long they last. Like your toys and lubricants, condoms should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place, away from excessive heat, direct sunlight, or moisture, which can wear them out over time.

Each condom is marked with an expiration date that indicates when it loses its effectiveness and is likely to deteriorate. If you have expired condoms, throw them away. It’s not worth the risk.