{"id":3338,"date":"2022-06-20T14:09:51","date_gmt":"2022-06-20T13:09:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/?p=3338"},"modified":"2023-03-23T18:03:51","modified_gmt":"2023-03-23T18:03:51","slug":"cleaning-sex-toys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/cleaning-sex-toys\/","title":{"rendered":"How to clean your sex toys to use them safely"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sex toys have become incredibly popular over the years, and endless couples and groups use dildos, vibrators, or anal toys to spice up their intimate moments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coupled with the popularity of sex toys is the importance of hygiene. In fact, cleaning your sex toys is essential after every use, as they&#8217;re in direct contact with body liquids, bringing microorganisms and potentially causing infections, such as STIs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can clean your<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/best-sex-toys-and-how-to-use-them\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">best sex toys<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with water and soap, then dry them in a towel. Washing them in boiling water or a dishwasher is also a great option.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is so much more to know about cleaning sex toys, such as how long to wash them, tips for cleaning specific materials, and much more, and we&#8217;ll cover all the details in this post, so be sure to carry on reading to find out more.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3341\" src=\"https:\/\/vivastreetuk.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/how-to-clean-your-sex-toys-2.png\" alt=\"Cleaning your sex toys\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/how-to-clean-your-sex-toys-2.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/how-to-clean-your-sex-toys-2-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/how-to-clean-your-sex-toys-2-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/how-to-clean-your-sex-toys-2-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/how-to-clean-your-sex-toys-2-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Why you should clean your sex toys<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using a dirty or infected sex toy that hasn&#8217;t been washed or stored correctly can potentially be dangerous as it&#8217;s full of bacteria.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These bacteria can bring viruses and infections such as STIs (sexually transmitted infections) and hepatitis B and C, among others, especially when using them for intimate acts such as<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/guide-to-pegging-sex\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pegging sex<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Of course, a condom can be used on sex toys to limit infections and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/safe-sex-guide-for-sex-workers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">protect you<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from getting a disease, but frequently cleaning them is ultimately the best option.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All in all, it&#8217;s the same principle as washing your gym clothes after working out, and cleaning your dildo or vibrator after playing, is an essential part of the game.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>When and how often to clean your sex toys<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>When and how often you should clean your sex toys will depend on how often you use them. Generally, you should clean your sex toys after every use with some soap and water. This will help keep them clean and free of any potentially harmful bacteria.<\/p>\n<p>If you haven&#8217;t used your toys in a while and haven&#8217;t stored them properly in a cotton or polyester bag, you should also clean them before you have your fun time.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Can you get an STI by using a sex toy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is possible to get STIs and other diseases by using a sex toy. Of course, you can&#8217;t get any STIs if you only use your time with yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, if you use it with a sexual partner that has contracted an infection, and don&#8217;t wash it thoroughly afterwards, you could risk getting an STI, as the toy becomes the agent that will carry the disease.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/common-health-questions\/sexual-health\/are-sex-toys-safe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NHS<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, while sex toys are safe, the most common infections you can get are chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, shigella, and even yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis, when not cleaning them after every use.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>What sex toys can be cleaned?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All toys can be washed, regardless of the material. But, of course, some materials should be washed differently than others. These are the best ways to clean each sex toy material:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Glass<\/strong> &#8211; Wash in warm water with soap or sex toy cleaner, or wash in a dishwasher<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Jelly rubber and latex<\/strong> &#8211; Wash in room temperature water with soap or toy cleaner<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Leather<\/strong> &#8211; Clean it using a damp cloth with soap or sex toy cleaner<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>PVC and vinyl<\/strong> &#8211; Use warm water and soap<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Nylon<\/strong> &#8211; Wash in a machine or hand wash with soap<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Silicone<\/strong> &#8211; Wash in warm water with soap or sex toy cleaner, or wash in a dishwasher<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Stainless steel<\/strong> &#8211; Wash in warm water with soap or sex toy cleaner, or wash in a dishwasher<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let your sex toys dry completely before storing them in their fabric bag or drawer. Apart from a lint-free fabric bag, we also recommend using a clean container and also storing them in a dry and cool place, regardless of the material.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>How to clean sex toys and have fun safely<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just like<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/best-bdsm-sex-toys\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BDSM toys<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, cleaning your dildo or vibrator may not be the most glamorous job in the world, but it&#8217;s important to keep them clean to stay protected. Here are some tips on how to clean them properly and continue to have fun safely.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use water and soap<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most sex toys can be cleaned with a gentle antibacterial cleanser and warm water. That being said, you will want to wash them thoroughly for no less than 20 seconds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using water and soap is suitable for non-motorised, motorised, and normally non-porous sex toys as well. On top of that, we also recommend using a soapy cloth to wash them thoroughly for at least 20 seconds.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use boiling water or your dishwasher<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re looking for a quick and easy way to clean your sex toys, leaving them in boiling water or in a dishwasher can be an effective solution. In fact, boiling water will kill any bacteria or viruses that may be present on the dildo, allowing you to remain safe from STIs and other infections.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After boiling them for about 3 minutes, you can then remove the toys from the water and allow them to air dry. If you&#8217;re using your dishwasher, simply place the toys in the top rack of the dishwasher and run it on a normal cycle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, it&#8217;s important to note that not all toys can be boiled and, instead, only non-porous materials such as pure silicone, stainless steel and waterproof toys. Of course, motorised sex toys shouldn&#8217;t be used either in boiling water or dishwasher as they&#8217;ll be damaged by the heat.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wash them using sex toy cleaners<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sex toy cleaners are products specifically designed for your dildos and vibrators. While water and soap work for pretty much all materials, these cleansers will sanitise your favourite toy after playing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We recommend picking a water-based cleanser that is free of alcohol and parabens to keep it as natural as possible. Avoid toxic cleaners and products containing bleach as, if not washed out and dried properly, they may end up on your genitals, which is the last thing you may want.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use UV light to disinfect your sex toys<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UV sanitisers are the latest accessory on the market to remove bacteria from your sex toys, and devices such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/B-Vibe-Sterilizer-Pouch-Black-200\/dp\/B07ZNSL85T\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">b-Vibe UV Sterilizer Pouch<\/a> are a great tool to use on your sex toys.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But bear in mind that these UV light pouches don&#8217;t clean and only disinfect, leaving body fluids still on the sex toy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This means that you&#8217;ll still have to clean with a soapy cloth and water if you want to avoid all potential diseases.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3343 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/vivastreetuk.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/how-to-clean-your-sex-toys-4.png\" alt=\"Cleaning your sex toys\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/how-to-clean-your-sex-toys-4.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/how-to-clean-your-sex-toys-4-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/how-to-clean-your-sex-toys-4-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/how-to-clean-your-sex-toys-4-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/how-to-clean-your-sex-toys-4-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What you need to clean your sex toys<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The good news is that you don&#8217;t need much to clean your sex toys. The bad news is that you really need to clean them after every use. Here&#8217;s a quick summary of what you need to:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clean the sex toy&#8217;s surface<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For a quick, efficient cleaning process, you&#8217;ll only need water, soap, paper towels or a cloth. We recommend liquid hand or antibacterial soap to wash your dildo or vibrator and avoid dish soap or other harsh types of soap. Once free of bacteria, you&#8217;ll want to leave your toy air-dry on a paper towel or a cloth.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deep-clean it<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;ve used your toys with multiple partners or for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/beginners-guide-to-anal-sex\/\" rel=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">anal sex<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you&#8217;ll want to deep-clean them, and you have several ways to do so. Before cleaning them with the methods below, make sure to properly clean the surface with soap.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To disinfect them, pour water into a pot and boil it. Once the water reaches the boiling point, leave your dildo in it for a few minutes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alternatively, you can use bleach together with boiling water, and you&#8217;ll be certain to kill all microorganisms and pathogens. The ideal ratio is 5 tablespoons of bleach, or \u2153 cup, per gallon of water.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moreover, after cleaning the surface, you can throw your toys in the dishwasher. That being said, your dishwasher should have a disinfecting feature. If not, we recommend using bleach and boiling water.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last but not least, you can also use water-based cleansers to disinfect all your toys from all bacteria, and we&#8217;ll list the best ones below.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once sanitised, place your toys on paper towels or a dry cloth.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>The best sex toy cleaning products<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keeping your sex toys clean is extremely important. In fact, not only does it help to ensure that you remain healthy and free of infection, but it also helps to keep your toys in good condition so that they last longer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While there is a variety of ways to clean your sex toys, such as classic water and soap, these sex toy cleaners are great for disinfecting them and if you\u2019re trying to avoid strong bleach.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.adameve.com\/bath-and-body\/toy-cleaners-and-personal-care\/sp-adam-eve-pure-and-clean-misting-toy-cleaner-88408.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Adam &amp; Eve 4 In 1 Pure and Clean Misting Cleaner<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to be extra certain that your favourite sex toys are free of bacteria and pathogens, you should definitely try this spray from Adam &amp; Eve.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This four-in-one cleaner is antibacterial, disinfecting, smells great, and sanitises thoroughly, which is great, especially if you use your toy for anal sex.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3342 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/vivastreetuk.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/how-to-clean-your-sex-toys-3.png\" alt=\"Sex toys\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/how-to-clean-your-sex-toys-3.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/how-to-clean-your-sex-toys-3-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/how-to-clean-your-sex-toys-3-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/how-to-clean-your-sex-toys-3-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/how-to-clean-your-sex-toys-3-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/lovehoney.co.uk\/lubes-essentials\/sex-toy-essentials\/sex-toy-cleaners\/p\/lovehoney-fresh-biodegradable-sex-toy-body-wipes-25-pack\/60952.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Lovehoney Fresh Biodegradable Sex Toy &amp; Body Wipes<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re looking for something non-liquid to apply aftercare to your sex toys, these may just be what you need. The wipes are not only great for cleaning your sex toys but also to clean yourself up after a play session.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.feelunique.com\/p\/Lelo-Cleaning-Spray-60ml?curr=GBP&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwzLCVBhD3ARIsAPKYTcTCpi0amd3rYmwqog1Vxg2YrvIHOKrry3S7XhNpFPiTT7FaqavZPz4aAhdVEALw_wcB&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Lelo Antibacterial Cleaning Spray<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This paraben and alcohol-free cleanser from Lelo is exactly what you need to sanitise your favourite toys. Before rinsing it under warm water and patting it dry with a lint-free towel, allow 30 to 60 seconds for it to work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apart from being a sensational cleaning product, it&#8217;s great for keeping your toys intact and won&#8217;t leave any chemical smell.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This was all you needed to know about cleaning your sex toys, from the best and most efficient ways to the best and most effective products on the market. As we highlighted, it&#8217;s important to wash and disinfect them after each use in order to prevent your risk of STIs and other viruses, especially when working as a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/escort\/gb\" rel=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sex worker<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lastly, after washing your favourite toys, we highly recommend storing them properly in a cotton or polyester bag and avoiding plastic bags as they might create bacteria and eventually smell bad.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Happy vibrations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sex toys have become incredibly popular over the years, and endless couples and groups use dildos, vibrators, or anal toys to spice up their intimate moments. Coupled with the popularity of sex toys is the importance of hygiene. In fact, cleaning your sex toys is essential after every use, as they&#8217;re in direct contact with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3339,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"CBBTypography":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[223],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[],"class_list":["post-3338","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sex-and-relationships"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3338","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3338"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3338\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3338"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3338"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3338"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=3338"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}