How to take care of a sex toy?

sex toys , toy care , cleaner , sex education , svakom

How to clean toys: before, after, or both? What are the storage requirements and how to extend the lifespan of sex devices? The answers to these questions are in the guide from Svakom.

Russian version

Sex toys are a surefire way to diversify your life. With their help, you can independently study your own body, find the most sensitive areas and understand how you react to various kinds of stimulation. Or you can bring something new into your intimate life, using them together with your partner. And this article will tell you how to properly clean and store your devices.

Can't be left to boil

In order to properly care for your toy, you need to know exactly what it is made of, since different materials require, or vice versa, do not tolerate certain methods of cleaning. There are really a lot of materials from which sex devices are made, but they can all be divided into two types: porous and non-porous.

Porous toys are those made with hard plastic, cyber leather, elastomer, rubber, nylon and neoprene, vinyl and leather. Such materials are absorbent, that is, they are able to absorb moisture. Porous materials are sensitive to high temperatures and mechanical damage.

Such materials – for example, a mixture of silicone and polyvinyl chloride – are used to make realistic dildos and male masturbators. They mimic a living body, are hypoallergenic and very pleasant to the touch, but they are quite capricious in cleaning. They can be washed with mild soap, but do not be diligent: this can damage them. Better to use a sex toy cleaner. After washing, the toy should be wiped with a soft dry cloth and allowed to dry. After that, the device must be sprinkled with special talcum powder or powder and put into a cloth bag.

Liquids for toys made of gel and polyvinyl chloride (this material is used for making, for example, clitoral pumps or stimulators) are useless as well. Such devices are susceptible to silicone-based lubricants (it is very difficult to wash it off the toy later), high temperatures (that is, in no case should it be doused with boiling water) and antiseptics containing alcohol. You can wash such products with soap and warm water.

The easiest way to care for sex toys made from non-porous materials –for example, one hundred percent medical grade silicone, stainless steel, varnished wood, borosilicate glass. They are easy to clean with the soap you use for yourself, but preferably without strong fragrances. Toy cleaning experts also advise not to neglect progress and wash steel and silicone toys in the dishwasher without cleaning agents. Ten minutes – and the hot steam will do its job: the bacteria have died, the toy can be dried and put into a velvet bag with brushes. Important: Make sure your toy is waterproof before putting it in the dishwasher. And also, do not overdo it with this process, otherwise the material of the product will quickly become unusable.

How to wash toys

To keep your toys clean and yourself safe, follow a few simple rules.

Wash after every use

We understand that after using the toy we want to relax and do nothing, but we should never leave the toy "for later". After all, in any case, you will go to take a shower, just grab the toy with you. Storing an unclean device with other sex toys can encourage bacteria to grow.

Clean devices “after” and “before”

Even if you store your toys in a dark, secluded and clean place, they can still collect dust and bacteria. And if you do not clean sex devices before use, then pleasure can turn into serious troubles: everything that has accumulated on the surface will get into your body.

Choose the right cleaner

You can wash your toys with regular, fragrance-free soap, but using antibacterial soap is not recommended. It can remain on the device and get inside the next time it is used and destroy the microflora.

Store toys correctly

Store your toys in the special cases that come with the toy. If it is not there, then any canvas, silk or velvet bag, or cosmetic bag will do. The main thing is not to forget to wash them from time to time: even if you clean the toys themselves regularly. By the way, about bacteria: they reproduce best in an airtight space, that is, polyethylene will not work.

If you only have one sex device, and it is convenient for you to keep it close at hand, you can even store it on your bedside table, just do not forget to wash it before use. Dust, hair, cat fur – you probably don't want it to be inside you. Toys made of porous materials can be stored both in the bathroom cabinet and in the underwear drawer, but before that, you should remove washing powder, aromatic oils and perfume away – this can damage the sex device and cause irritation on the body. If this is a battery-powered vibrator, then it is better to exclude the bathroom from storage places, and places near the batteries too. It is best to remove the batteries and keep them separate.

Gel toys, devices made of latex, thermoplastic elastomer and polyvinyl chloride are best stored separately: if you store them “in one pile”, the material of the products can come into contact with each other, breaking the top layer or leaving stains on the surface. The 100% silicone vibrators can be stored together so nothing will happen to them. But realistic dildos after cleaning and drying – only in an individual bag and only in a place protected from heat and sunlight.

When it's time not to wash, but throw away

(Editor's note: in fact, it is better not to throw away toys, but to dispose of them.)

If you take care of a sex toy clearly according to the instructions and store it correctly, then it will last long enough. The shortest of all is the service life of devices made of porous materials: even a very high-quality toy cleaner does not completely clean it. If stains appear on the toy or it smells strange, then it's time to change it.

Another common and frustrating reason for the shortened lifespan of silicone and gel sex devices is pets, which perceive the toy as something to chew on. If the pet has attached teeth or claws to the device, alas, the device will have to be thrown away: there is a breeding ground for bacteria forms in scratches and damage. The same applies to toys made of wood, glass or stone: even small chips make their further use unsafe.


Based on materials from the SVAKOM Russia telegram channel.