It’s important to clean sex toys in order to ensure their long life but also to prevent coming into contact with germs which may result in infections.
All sex toys can be washed, and this is fine for solo use (in the same orifice). For shared use (or use in different orifices) sterilising the toy or putting a condom on it is recommended.
General tips for washing a sex toy
The following steps can be used for washing all sex toys:
• Clean the outside of the toy with cloth dipped in warm soapy water. If the toy is waterproof or doesn’t contain any electrical components it can be submerged in water.
• Use an anti-bacterial soap/handwash or use anti-bacterial wipes or sprays. For anti-bacterial products to be more effective allow them to sit on the toy for a few minutes before washing off with warm water.
• Allow to air dry before putting them away in a dust free box, bag or drawer (you might want to put them back in the original packaging).
When to sterilise or use condoms
If you only intend to use your sex toy for yourself (in only one orifice) then washing and drying as above after use will probably be enough. However if you plan on sharing toys then you might want to consider taking further steps to prevent passing on germs: such as sterilising them or using condoms. Sterilisation or condom use might also be a good idea if you keep getting recurring infections from solo use of sex toys.
To sterilise sex toys (to rid their surfaces of all bacteria or viruses) you can boil them, use surgical spirit or even put them in the dishwasher for a few minutes. This depends on the material that the toy is made out of so please read below. Follow manufacturer’s instructions, particularly if your toy has electrical components in it which could be damaged by immersing in water.
Some materials are porous (they contain tiny holes) and as such it is very difficult to sterilise them. For use with another person or another orifice we recommend putting a condom on these products – even after being washed.
If you don’t wish to (or can’t) sterilise your toy, put a condom on it (or on the penis if you’re using a sleeve). If you plan on using the same sex toy in different orifices (for example in the vagina and anus) or in someone else’s orifice it’s best to put a condom on and take it off and replace. If sharing sex toys during sex this saves you having to get up and clean the toy right in the middle (which might be a passion killer).
If in doubt follow the manufacturer’s instructions
Sex toy materials: how to wash and sterilise
The material used in each sex toy is clearly labelled under each product.
Silicone
These can be washed in warm soapy water (using anti-bacterial soap/handwash) or with anti-bacterial wipes or sprays. Allow this to sit on the toy for a few minutes before rinsing off.
Silicone can take a high temperature so, to sterilise, they can also be boiled in water for 3– 5 minutes or put through the dishwasher on a high temperature (so long as they don’t contain any electrical parts).
TPR/TPE (Elastomer)
These can be washed in warm soapy water (using anti-bacterial soap/handwash) or with anti-bacterial wipes or sprays. Allow this to sit on the toy for a few minutes before rinsing off.
TPR products (like the Beginner’s Rampant Rabbit) are porous, so they can’t be fully sterilised. This means that it’s not a good idea to use them in more than one orifice or in someone else’s orifice, without putting a condom on it first – even after washing.
Plastic (including ABS plastic)
These can be washed in warm soapy water (using anti-bacterial soap/handwash) or with anti-bacterial wipes or sprays. Allow this to sit on the toy for a few minutes before rinsing off.
Plastic toys can also be sterilised by rubbing with surgical spirit and then washed off with a cloth dampened in water.
Vinyl
These can be washed in warm soapy water (using anti-bacterial soap/handwash) or with anti-bacterial wipes or sprays. Allow this to sit on the toy for a few minutes before rinsing off.
Vinyl products (like the Vinyl Vibrator) are porous, so they can’t be fully sterilised. This means that it’s not a good idea to use them in more than one orifice or in someone else’sorifice, without putting a condom on it first – even after washing.
Rubber/Latex
These can be washed in warm soapy water (using anti-bacterialsoap/handwash) or with anti-bacterial wipes or sprays. Allow this to sit on the toy for a few minutes before rinsing off.
Rubber products (like the Realistic Flesh Vibrator) are porous, so they can’t be fully sterilised. This means that it’s not a good idea to use them in more than one orifice or in someone else’s orifice, without putting a condom on it first – even after washing.
Remember also that some people are allergic to latex. You may want to consider buying a non-latex product or covering the the toy in a non-latex condom
PVC/Jelly
These can be washed in warm soapy water (using anti-bacterial soap/handwash) or with anti-bacterial wipes or sprays. Allow this to sit on the toy for a few minutes before rinsing off.
PVC/Jelly products (like the Small Black Butt Plug) are porous, so they can’t be fully sterilised. This means that it’s not a good idea to use them in more than one orifice or in someone else’s orifice, without putting a condom on it first – even after washing.
PVC/Jelly products also contain a chemical called Phthalates (pronounced “thal-ates”) which are used to soften hard plastics, which is why they’re used in sex toys. Some people prefer not to use sex toys containing this chemical as there has been research which suggests that this substance might have a detrimental effect on fertility in later life (though this isn’t conclusive). In any case you can be assured that all our products are phthalate free.
Glass/Stainless Steel
These can be washed in warm soapy water (using anti-bacterial soap/handwash) or with anti-bacterial wipes or sprays. Allow this to sit on the toy for a few minutes before rinsing off.
To sterilise, glass can be boiled in water for 3 – 5 minutes or put through the dishwasher on a high temperature. They can also be sterilised by rubbing with surgical spirit and then washed off with a cloth dampened in water.