Batteries can drain or corrode if left in toys too long. Some final advice from Deysach about storing your sex toys: For the sake of longevity, store any battery-operated toys with the batteries outside the toy. “If you have jelly or other soft, nonsilicone toys, you want to be sure they are each stored separately, as they can melt together if they’re touching while stored,” she says. When storing your toys, keeping them separate is a good idea, especially when it comes to certain materials, according to Deysach. Speaking of prying eyes, a discreet and lockable medication case, like this one, is perfect if you have curious little ones or nosy houseguests. “A lot depends on how handy you need them to be and how much you have to hide them from prying eyes.” “I’ve seen people use over-the-door shoe hangers, file drawers, or locking tool boxes,” she says. Got a gaggle of sex toys and gear? Get creative, suggests Deysach.
There are some handy-dandy sex toy storage containers you can buy, but chances are you have something lying around the house that’ll work just fine, like: “After the toy is rinsed, open it up again and let it dry with the battery compartment open.” “Then close the toy back up and take care to keep water out of the battery compartment,” she says. “I find a washcloth makes it easy to clean nonwaterproof toys safely.”Īs for motorized toys, remember to take the batteries out before giving it a good clean. “Be sure to not boil soft porous toys or anything that turns on,” she says. “If you have nonvibrating silicone toys (like dildos or butt plugs) you can take an added step and boil them in water for up to 3 minutes to sanitize them thoroughly,” Deysach explains.
The beauty of nonporous toys is that, as long as they’re not motorized, can even be boiled or run through the dishwasher. “If you’d like to give them a quick clean without leaving your bed, Afterglow Toy Cleaning Tissues are body safe (so you don’t have to rinse) and work great at keeping nonporous toys clean.” “100 percent silicone, glass, and steel toys can also be cleaned with liquid soap or a toy cleaner and then air dried,” Deysach says. You also risk contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or other infection, including gastrointestinal infections. “They can also collect lint, dust, and other debris that you want to keep out of your bits.”įYI: If you have pets, that “other debris” will likely include pet hair, and that gets on everything.ĭepending on what the toy’s exposed to and whether or not you’ve shared it with others, you could be opening yourself up - sometimes literally - to bacteria, viruses, and parasites. “You want to clean your sex toys every time you use them because dirty (used) toys can introduce bacteria and possibly cause infections,” she says. Ick factor aside, improper cleaning and storage of sex toys could have health consequences, explains Searah Deysach, sex educator and owner of feminist sex shop Early to Bed. Playing with an unclean sex toy that’s been stored incorrectly is kind of like eating a loose mint that’s been rolling around in the bottom of a purse or gym bag for a while - sticky and covered in lint. If it’s porous, clean with room temperature water and a soapy washcloth.
*Crystal, stone, and wood can be porous or nonporous, depending on the type or the coating used. Store in a cool, dry place and avoid storing in plastic Individually in a lint-free fabric bag or nonplastic container Room temperature water and a soapy washcloth Jelly rubber, elastomer, latex, cyberskin Silicone or stainless steel: any clean container Glass and Pyrex: lint-free fabric bag or padded container Nonmotorized: can also use boiling water or sanitize in dishwasher
Motorized: warm water and soap or sex toy cleaner We only recommend something that we genuinely love, so if you see a shop link to a specific product or brand, know that it’s been thoroughly researched - if you know what we mean. That’s why we rely on experienced writers, educators, and other experts to share their suggestions on everything from the technique you use to the sex toy you buy. We believe pleasure is a fundamental aspect of a safe and healthy sex life. We hit up a couple of experts for tips to help keep your sex gear - and your tender parts - in tiptop shape. Raise your hand if you’ve ever tossed a sex toy back into your goodie drawer after a job well done so you could roll over and enjoy the afterglow.ĭisinfecting and properly storing your sexccesories may be the last thing on your mind after getting off, but not taking the time to do it could mess with your health and your toy’s shelf life. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. We include products we think are useful for our readers. Share on Pinterest Illustration by Brittany England