Caring for your Toy

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Sex toys are a great way of making your sex life more interesting; whether by yourself or with a partner. But ensure that you use them in a safe and healthy way. The first thing to consider when using sex toys is hygiene. This may be more applicable for toys that are inserted or come into contact with bodily fluids. If you do not keep them clean they could be a breeding ground for various harmful bacteria or fungi.

Before use:
Especially if it’s the first time you are using your new sex toy, make sure it is clean and safe to use. You should clean it thoroughly; use mild soap and water if you have nothing else at hand, but the best bet is to use a toy cleaner that acts as a disinfectant.

Depending on the type of toy, it may or may not be waterproof. If not, be very careful when cleaning it with water so any electrical components do not get wet. Never immerse a toy in water completely, unless it is waterproof!

Also check the toy before use, whether it is safe. Any toys meant for insertion should not have any sharp edges. If you find some, you can file them off with a nail file so you do not cut yourself. If the toy is cracked or damaged upon arrival, contact us immediately and we will arrange for a replacement as soon as possible. In case of a vibrating toy, it does not work, ensure that the batteries you have put in are charged sufficiently, and inserted the correct way around. If in doubt, check the instructions that came with the toy.

Different materials require different care.
Many sex toys are made of silicone, which is a nonporous material and therefore relatively easy to keep clean. They are very sturdy and also hypoallergenic so would be less likely to cause irritation to people with sensitive skin. Silicone toys without electrical components inside may be washed in very hot water, even put in the dishwasher if you want.

For all toys you should take care during use that you do not damage/tear the material. Cracks in the material are very difficult to clean and may harbour dirt and bacteria.

Cyberskin toys (made to feel like actual skin) may lose their silky soft feel after cleaning. You should try to stay away from harsh soaps and detergents, but instead use an antibacterial toy cleaner and let it air dry. If the toy becomes less soft to the touch, a sprinkle of corn starch will make it soft again. Note: Never use talcum powder or baby powder; it may cause irritation if the toy is inserted into the vagina / anus!

Take extra care of toys made of rubber, latex or jelly! The materials are porous, which means that bacteria and dirt may penetrate deeper and are more difficult to clean completely. Do not use harsh soaps on them at the risk of damaging the material. Also take care if using lubes with them; Latex toys can only be used with water based lubes, never oil based ones (the same rules apply for latex condoms as well; oil weakens the material and causes it to get damaged). Rubber toys are the most difficult to keep clean. Therefore you should use them with a condom only.

By far the easiest to keep clean are metal, glass/crystal, plastic or acrylic toys. They may be washed with soap & hot water or toy cleaner and dried off before storing.

Just to be sure, you may choose to keep separate toys for various uses. Any bacteria transferred from the anus to the vagina by using the same toy, can cause infection.

Why not buy a bottle of toy cleaner with your next sex toy purchase? Toy cleaners are suitable for most materials, but just to be sure, read the instructions that came with the cleaner and the sex toy itself.

Storing your toys
Sometimes you may not feel like using a particular toy for a while. So it may keep sitting in a drawer before its next use. Always clean the toy thoroughly before putting it away, the longer it remains dirty, the less likely it will be safe to use next time. (Especially if the material is porous, like jelly, latex or rubber!) It is important that your toy is kept in a dry place, not exposed to extreme heat or direct sunlight. If the toy requires batteries, always take them out before keeping the toy away, because they may leak and damage your toy. The ideal place to keep your toys is in a drawer, individually wrapped in clean laundry or a storage pouch.