Clean. Your. Toys. If you have made your rounds amongst the sex blogs on the interwebs (and if you haven’t, you should) you will hear this mantra repeated with what can only be compared to religious zeal: Clean your toys before and after each use. Did you read that? Good, so do it. I know after a good play session things get blissfully fuzzy, eyelids get heavier, pillows feel softer than you remember… I don’t care, wake up and clean your damn toys!
“Why should I thoughhhh.”, I hear some of you whining from across the ethers and beyond the upside down. Because my dear toy enthusiast: germs, bacteria, smells, yeast, mold, for the sheer purpose of not being gross AF, etc. Even your 100% platinum silicone dildo from some divine dildo creator among men can hide the nastiest of things in their lovely textures that you do not want being rammed into any of your orifices. Now that you see how grody it would be for you to skimp on toy washing, I will go over a very basic cleaning guide for some more popular sex toy materials. Please further research for more in-depth cleaning guides (some have pictures and videos!), and even more materials that have not been included here. This is VERY basic, and only available so my soul can rest at night knowing I did my sex toy bloggess (yes that does mean blog goddess) duty by telling you to wash your gosh darn toys.
100% Silicone
When I first receive a new toy made entirely of silicone - I boil it, period. This way anything left on it from manufacturing, any other hands (and their germs) that may have touched at any point of the packing process, *whatever* is just boiled away without a care. That is just a personal preference. You can also achieve the same level of disinfection by soaking the toy in a 10% bleach solution. In between your regular uses, however, unscented soap and warm water will do just fine. Some people put their toys in a dishwasher, but I have not attempted this myself.
Vibrators
Since there is a motor you won't be deep soaking this in bleach, even if the toy indicates it is water safe. The wipe down approach is the best way to go with toys like these. Take a washcloth with some warm water, unscented soap, and give those motorized pleasure givers a good scrub down. Pay attention to anywhere there is texture/crevices/seams and check for any tears or cracks in your toy during this time. Personally, if I find cracks and tears that are deep enough, I will throw it away. All sorts of nasties will colonize up in there, and it is very hard to keep clean after that. Furthermore, sometimes a tear can create a not so pleasant texture.
Glass
Glass, much like silicone can be disinfected quite easily. Make sure you are checking your glass toys for cracks/chips before and after every use. It’s honestly better safe than sorry in this case people. If you do find any blemishes in your glass toy…you will sadly have to toss it. Once it is compromised in this way, it is no longer safe for use. Glass toys (like silicone and metal) can be disinfected by boiling for 5 minutes, or using a 10% bleach solution to soak them in for 10 minutes. In-between uses, soap and warm water will suffice.
Metal
Metal is yet another easy to clean toy material because it falls into the “non-porous” category. You can use all of the above cleaning methods mentioned with metal toys. I will add, as sorta “the more you know” moment: Only use medical grade Stainless Steel, or aluminum made toys. It is important to always use body-safe materials in, on, and around your sensitive bits.
**Remember: To maintain your toy (keep it new, fresh, and ready to use), you will need to make sure you are cleaning it properly. Most businesses are good about giving you the "before/after" care instructions, however, this is YOUR responsibility as a toy owner.
