Sex Toy Cleaning & Storage Buying Guide

It makes sense…take care of your sex toys and vibrators, and your sex toys and vibrators will take care of you! Just as you would never leave a fork to get mouldy overnight before putting it back in your mouth, you really don't want to go sticking unwashed sex toys in your holiest of holes! Depending on how frequently you use them and how diligently you care for them, your plastic fantastic friends can be around to love you long time! But to make sure that you’re getting the best bang for your buck, you should always clean and store your toys properly. Begin by checking out the Vital Stats box when purchasing your sex toys from AdultShop’s online toy shop for expert advice on hygienically cleaning and storing sex toys of every material!

First things first
As soon as you receive your new pleasure pal, you should immediately check it for imperfections and make sure there are no rough edges. This is especially true of anything made from rigid plastic. Check too for cracks in acrylic, glass and plastic toys or tears in softer materials such as real feel materials. If you have any concerns about your new vibrator or sex toy purchase, please contact our Customer Service Coordinator on 1800 609 000. If a product has a manufacturing defect, then you can always return it to us for a replacement within 30 days of purchase.

If your sex toy comes with an instruction sheet, then be sure you read the manufacturers’ directions and any information they have provided about care and storage. You’ll also find our Editor’s own tips and tricks for getting the most from your toy in the Vital Stats box beside the product description on our website. Pay particular attention to the material your toy is made from as each material is different and best cleaned and cared for in its own special way.

Be sure to wash your sex toys and vibrators before you use them for the first time and immediately after each use before putting them away to play with another day.

Using an antibacterial wipe or vibe cleaner is just the thing for keeping your sex toys safe, hygienic and in tiptop condition. AdultShop stocks a number of tried and tested products which are ideal for the job, many of which are anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal as well! Some cleaners are also alcohol free and contain no perfumes or fragrances, which means they’re not only safe to use on your latex and silicone toys, they’re also perfect for using directly on sensitive or irritated skin, making cleaning up after sex a breeze! Latex and silicone however aren’t the only materials that need special attention, read on:

Plastic/Acrylic/Glass
The easy clean alternatives, sex toys and vibrators made from these materials may be washed with an antibacterial soap in warm water. Acrylic and glass toys can also be boiled or submerged in hot water, provided they’re not battery operated of course! To guard against infection and quickly and gently clean and remove dirt, lubricant and bacteria – without spreading germs - a quick spray with an antibacterial wipe or vibe cleaner is a must! Ensure all surfaces are moistened and then allow your toys to dry naturally or pat them dry with a soft towel or cloth. There’s no need to rinse your cleanser as both alcohol and non alcohol based cleaners are safe to use on toys made from plastic, acrylic and glass.

Rubber/Latex/Jelly
Sex toys and vibrators made from these materials are extremely porous so be sure to wash them thoroughly with an antibacterial soap in warm water and then rinse thoroughly to ensure no traces of soap remain. They should also be given a quick spray with an antibacterial wipe or vibe cleaner, ideally a non alcohol based cleanser as these cleansers will not irritate or harm your skin if absorbed into your toy. While it's a good idea to use a [Hyperlink condom] with any insertable toy, it’s an especially good idea with these materials, and an absolute MUST if you’re sharing them between partners.

Cyberskin and other “real feel” materials
Realistic materials such as Cyberskin, Futurotic, Soft Touch and RealSkin are very soft and extremely porous, much like rubber and jelly. However sex toys and vibrators made from “real feel” materials must be cared for slightly differently. Wash your toys with warm water and a very mild antibacterial soap (or better still - no soap at all), rinse them with clean hot water and pat them dry with a lint-free cloth or towel. You must NOT clean your “real feel” toys with alcohol or ammonia-based cleansers as they will destroy the surface of your toy and you should steer clear of harsh soaps and detergents for this reason too. Once your toys are completely dry, sprinkle them with “renewing powder” or cornstarch. Never use talcum powder or baby powder as these products can cause irritation, particularly to a girl’s sensitive bits!

Silicone
Silicone toys are non-porous which means generally they don't absorb dirt or lubricant however like all sex toys they’re still susceptible to bacteria. To guard against infection, a quick spray with a vibe cleaner or antibacterial wipe is a must! Ensure all surfaces are moistened and then allow your toys to dry naturally or pat them dry with a soft towel or cloth. There’s no need to rinse as both alcohol and non alcohol based cleaners are safe to use on toys made from silicone. Your silicone toys may also be boiled or submerged in hot water for a couple of minutes – even placed on the top rack of your dishwasher, provided they’re not battery operated of course!

Storage
No matter what material your pleasure pals are made from, direct sunlight or excessive heat will cause them to melt, discolour and dry out so they should always be stored in a cool, dark place. Extreme cold can also do damage to vibrators and sex toys not made of acrylic, glass or silicone, so never refrigerate or freeze toys made from soft materials. To really prolong the life of your toys, we also suggest you:

• Always clean your vibrators and sex toys thoroughly before putting them back into their storage spot and each time you take them out of storage to play.
   
• Always remove the batteries from your toys when you’ve finished playing with them so they can’t leak, run down or mess with your plastic fantastic friends.
   
• Remove any vibrating bullets and eggs from their sleeves before storing.
   
• Be sure your toys are completely dry before you put them away to discourage mould and mildew.
   
• As some materials are not compatible with each other and can cause melting or discolouration, keep each toy separate by wrapping it in a soft cloth.
   
• Keep your vibrators and sex toys out of reach of young ones and pets!