Sex
Here’s how to keep your goodie drawer disinfected.
There are some things that you don’t really need to clean after each use: you can turn your underwear inside out if things get dire, for example (not that I’ve ever done that or anything… ) and you can use the same towel for a few showers. But one thing that really should be cleaned every time you use it? Any and all kinds of sex toys.
Maybe you got some new goodies for the holidays, or maybe you’re hoping to experiment with self-pleasure more in the new year, but regardless of the reason, you’re going to need to know how to clean sex toys. If toys are not regularly cleaned, it can lead to a build-up of bacteria which can potentially cause UTIs, yeast infections, and other issues that will be itchy and annoying at best. It’s especially important to make sure your toys are squeaky clean if you’re sharing them with another person or if you switched between anal and vaginal penetration.
Here, Romper spoke with Marla Renee Stewart, MA, sexologist and “sexpert” for Lovers sexual wellness brand and retailer about the best ways to clean sex toys.
3
How To Clean Glass, Plastic, Or Stainless Steel Sex Toys
When it comes to cleaning sex toys, the material of the toy is less important than whether or not the toy is mechanized, Stewart explains. So vibrators, dildos, suction toys, and even anal beads can all be cleaned in the same way, unless they have batteries or another type of power.
Basically, use water and a gentle soap, or even better, use a sex toy cleaner with a microfiber cloth, then dry thoroughly and place into a specific toy bag so it stays clean and dust-free until you’re ready to use it again.
“If it's waterproof, it might be worth it to rinse it with water before cleaning with a toy cleaner,” Stewart adds. There are all types of cleaners available: misting cleaners are great for taking on-the-go (many come packaged like a spray hand sanitizer in TSA friendly sizes). Foaming cleansers are also a good option, just make sure they are free of alcohol and triclosan (both are irritating and even dangerous for use on intimate skin).
Stewart also says that there are also more natural cleaners available. Afterall, if you use natural cleaning products on your skin and in your kitchen, you probably want to use something green on your vibrator too. “Intimate Earth is a natural toy cleaner if you want to stay as close to organic as possible. It’s green tea formula helps to rid dirt and bacteria and it comes in two sizes so you can keep the large one at home and the travel one in your hygiene bag,” Stewart says.
4
How To Clean Cyberskin
Cyberskin is often used on dildos and vibrators and it’s a material that, well as the name suggests, feels a lot like skin. “With cyberskin, since it is a blend of materials, you'll need to use a toy cleaner since it is a very porous material. Using soap and water will disintegrate the toy. In addition to the toy cleaner, you'll need to use corn starch or a renewal powder to lightly dust on your toy to keep it from distorting or getting gross,” Stewart says.
Sex toys can be great, but like anything else, they need to be cared for and used properly. With the right cleaning tips, your toys will last for a long time, too. Now you’re ready to have some good, clean fun.
This article was originally published on