When we think of our sex toys, there’s no doubt that we all think of the possible toe-curling fun that can be had. Whether you’re thinking of your favourite vibrator, a butt plug you’ve used with a partner, or any other sex toy for that matter, ensuring that you keep them clean is super important.
Here at Ann Summers, we care about your health (find out about the health benefits of orgasms!) and the health of your sex toys – that’s why we’ve put together this guide on how to properly clean your sex toys. Follow some of these tips and you can be sure you’re left with a nice, fresh set of sex toys ready for the next time you’re in the mood to have some fun!
Before we tell you the best way to clean your sex toys, it’s important that we explain why we need to do it. Sure, it probably seems obvious that items that are inserted vaginally or anally would need cleaning, but there are several reasons that cleaning your sex toys with a sex toy cleaner important. These include:
Just like any other item that you own, keeping your sex toys clean should form part of the process of regular usage. It’s a quick and simple process that could save you a lot of hassle in the future.
Let’s start things off simply, with the dildo. Keeping all sex toys clean is important, and when it comes to dildos this is no different. Any object that you’ll be using internally must be clean before use to avoid any sort of infection. This is even more important if you’re sharing with a partner. You may get caught in the moment and feel inclined to throw away the rules but this can lead to the passing of different infections so should be avoided – especially if going from anal to vaginal or vice versa!
Here are some tips for how to clean a dildo effectively:
When cleaning dildos, try to use the same care that you would when washing your hands. Bacteria works in the same way on a dildo, so it can be found in small nooks and crevices. This means you need to take extra care to clean those areas too.
That’s how you clean a dildo, but how do you clean a battery sex toy such as a vibrator? When it comes to cleaning a vibrator, it’s pretty much the same process as cleaning your dildo, but you should never submerge a battery-operated sex toy. But how do you deep clean a vibrator without submerging it? It’s simple really, you can run the penetrative part under a hot tap and clean with soap, but the other areas should be wiped clean with a damp cloth, antibacterial sex toy cleaner or wipes. Most vibrators are made waterproof, so running them under a tap and rinsing with soap shouldn’t cause your toy any problems at all.
Short answer – yes! Sex toy wipes are designed specifically to keep your toys clean and should be dermatologically tested so you know they’re safe for both your toy and you. These wipes are handy to keep in your bedside drawer or travel bag, so cleaning is nice and easy.
Alternatively, our sex toy hygiene section has several sex toy cleaning sprays and foams that can be used to keep all your toys fresh. Again, these are made with ingredients that won’t cause any harm to your toys. What if you don’t have wipes, can you use rubbing alcohol to clean a vibrator? Yes you can, unless the toy specifically tells you not to.
We’ve talked about how to prepare for anal and given you some tips in our anal sex guide, but it’s worth remembering that your toys will need preparing too. While your dildo might feel great both anally and vaginally, going from one to the other can potentially cause risks to your health. Even if it means killing the mood for a few seconds, make sure that toy is properly cleaned before moving from one to another – even if it’s only you that’s using the toy!
One last point to remember about sex toy hygiene. Once you’ve cleaned your sex toys, store them in a clean and dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. They should be kept away from personal hygiene and cosmetic products.
We also suggest keeping them in a sex toy storage box or a bag. This’ll help your toys stay clean and prevent damage. Sex toys made of rubber, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or silicone need a breathable container to allow any moisture inside the toy to evaporate and prevent the growth of bacteria.
Cleaning your sex toys may only take a couple of minutes but is really important for making them last longer and avoiding any infections. Just give them a clean and they’ll be ready to do their job as well as ever next time around!
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Stay in the loop on all things Ann Summers: Updates on new arrivals, inspiration, offers and events!
By inputting your information, you agree that we can use it in accordance with our Privacy Policy. You are able to unsubscribe from marketing at any time. By proceeding you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
You must be over 18 to join our mailing list.