Sex toys are often stigmatized as a “dirty little secret” in the darker corner of the bedroom. However, as much as we enjoy the pleasure, it’s always top priority to remain safe too. We’re not just talking condoms and contraceptives either. It is especially important to clean your sex toys properly, ensuring that sex stays fun and healthy for all.
Wrong Ways to Clean a Sex Toy
For some, cleaning a sex toy seems like a no-brainer. Others may not think about it as they hurriedly shove theirs away before their kiddo comes into the bedroom. No matter what your situation, it’s extremely important to clean your sex toys and store them properly. Not only will it prolong the longevity of your toy, you reduce the likelihood of bacterial infections and harmful reactions.
There’s a lot of different ways to disinfect a kitchen. Some use bleach, Clorox wipes, dish soap, or all-purpose cleaners. It makes sense that you’d think the same when it comes to cleaning sex toys. However, this is not the case when it comes to disinfecting a sex toy. Here are three ways you shouldn’t clean a sex toy.
1. The Dishwasher
Despite what you might think about someone using the dishwasher to clean a sex toy, people have done it. One might assume that dishwasher detergent cleans their dishes enough to protect their bodies from contaminants, the same could be the same for their sex toys.
While the dishwasher may be able to clean the germs from a sex toy, the different cycles and repetitive submerging can compromise its materials. The best toys are made from soft silicone materials, which can become damaged during harsh washing from a dishwasher.
As the material compromises, so does the likelihood for bacteria to remain in porous holes that have taken place within your toy. Dishwashers are too rough for the gentle materials of high-end sex toys.
Your sex toy may come out clean this time, but may have divots in the materials next time you go to use them. Bacteria can become trapped, causing irritants and further breakdown of the materials.
2. With Chemical Cleaners
Chemical cleaners are another go to. After all, they disinfect bacteria on our counters, bathroom surfaces, and floors, right? While this may be true for your household surfaces, you shouldn’t use cleaners like this on your bedroom toys.
Many of these toys are meant for penetration. You don’t want to risk any chemical residues left on the surface of your toys. Next time you use them, you could find that some of that residue can irritate the soft tissues inside the body. The vagina alone is known for its highly sensitive Ph balance. When disturbed, it could result in yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis. Neither of these are fun and they’ll delay any fun sexual activities until they get better.
Secondly, like with a harsh dishwashing cycle, harsh chemicals can compromise the materials as well. Softer silicone and other materials can create small knicks and spaces. Bacteria can rest in these places, also causing some of those irritating infections we mentioned above.
3. With Soap
While soap is likely to be the least threatening of these ways to clean your sex toys, it’s still not recommended. Like with chemical cleaners and dishwashing cycles, using soap can put your toy materials at risk, leaving your bacterial health at risk. Not only should you keep in mind scents and other irritants found in perfume soaps, also consider what you’re using to rub it into the toy.
If you’re using soap on your hands, you may not notice if your nail happens to scratch the soft surface of your toy. This problem isn’t likely to happen if your toy is made of glass. But with soft synthetics or medical grade silicone vibrators like our SVibe Snail Curve, you won’t want to risk it. Don’t use sponges or any scratchy surface to scrub away any germs either.
What Should You Use to Clean a Sex Toy
The best way to clean a sex toy should be using a properly formulated sex toy cleaner, like our SVibe toy Cleaner. This gentle formula is capable of disinfecting and prolonging the lifespan of any of our SVibe vibrators, as well as any other sex toys, dildos, and vibrators in your arsenal.
This sex toy and vibrator cleaner will reduce the likelihood of bacterial infections from any kind of sex.
While it may be cheaper and more convenient to use something you have lying around your house to clean dildos, vibrators, and other sex toys, it’s important not to jeopardize your sexual health. Spend the extra money to keep your toys and your body safer. Plus, most intimate toy cleaners don’t require you to use a large amount to keep your toys clean and healthy.
Take Care of Your Sexual Health with SVibe
SVibe loves to provide you with cutting-edge vibrators like the Snail Vibe Evo for the penis, but our mission goes far beyond personal pleasure. While we love sex just as much as the next person, it’s equally important to us to educate and normalize the world’s view on sex and sexual health.
We’re not here to simply make a buck and provide you mass-produced sex toys of whatever materials we can find. Our adult toy catalog is a curated list made of medical-grade silicone materials, ensuring optimal pleasure and sexual health in the same breath.
Choose a toy cleaner like our SVibe Toy Cleaner instead of using the dishwasher, harsh chemicals, or even household soaps. A proper sex toy cleaner is formulated to disinfect all sex toys, no matter what materials they’re crafted in. Use our toy cleaner with all SVIbe vibrators or other brands of sex toys. Please make sure to use as directed for the best results.
SVibe believes in educating the masses, breaking the molds, and having fun in the safest and sensual ways. Check out more of our blogs to further your sexual health
