Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Cleaning Their Sex Toys

Good sex toy cleaning habits are key to protecting your health and keeping your pleasure tools in great shape for years to come. Yet, it’s one of the most commonly overlooked parts of owning sex toys.

You may think, “Pfff, how hard can it be to clean sex toys?” Well, the process is fairly simple, yet many people make cleaning mistakes unknowingly, which lead to more than just a bit of grime buildup: we’re talking skin irritation, possible infections, and permanent toy damage.

So, what are the most common sex toy cleaning mistakes people make? There are five:

1. Using the wrong cleaning products to clean their toys.
2. Not cleaning the toys before and after each use.
3. Submerging non-waterproof toys in the water.
4. Not drying sex toys properly before storing them away.
5. Storing the sex toys the wrong way.

Don’t worry, though. Even if you may have made one (or more) sex toy cleaning mistakes in the past, this practical guide will help you avoid making the same mistakes in the future so you can keep things safe, fresh, and long-lasting.

Ready? Let’s dive in!

Mistake #1: Using the Wrong Cleaning Products

The first mistake people make when cleaning their sex toys is using the wrong kind of cleaner. It may be tempting to grab bleach, alcohol, or your go-to bathroom cleaner (they’re effective at killing bacteria, after all, right?) when wiping down your toys, but these harsh chemicals may do more harm than good.

First of all, traces of strong detergents and fragranced soaps can cause skin irritation. Just think about it–your sex toys touch delicate skin on your body in the most intimate places. You don’t want any of the harsh chemicals to come into contact with your naked skin.

Wrong cleaning products are dangerous not only for your skin but also for your sex toys. Harsh chemicals can degrade delicate materials like silicone or rubber. Also, alcohol-based cleaning products can dry out surfaces, which may cause the sex toy to start cracking or make the surface sticky.

How to Avoid It

Instead of grabbing whatever is on hand from your cleaning supply cupboard to clean your sex toys, opt for a much easier and safer alternative–use mild, fragrance-free soap (like an unscented hand or baby soap) and warm water to wash your toys.

Alternatively, you may choose a specialized sex toy cleaner that’s formulated for cleaning sex toys and is body-safe. Just make sure you check what the sex toy is made from and whether the cleaner is compatible with the materials before using it.

Mistake #2: Not Cleaning Toys Immediately After Use

Another common sex toy cleaning mistake is not cleaning the sex toys before and after each use. You may think that there’s no need to clean before use because the toy has been sitting in the drawer, or you set the toy aside after using it with the intention to wash it later, but life gets in the way… suddenly it’s been hours (or days), and the sex toy sits in your drawer, dirty until you decide to use it again.

Before you know it, you’re stuck in an endless cycle that may be harmful to your health without you even realizing it.

You see, dust, lint, bodily fluids, and lubes remain on the surface, and after a while, the buildup can be hard to remove. This creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, which can linger on the toy long after delayed cleaning.

Over time, as more and more bacteria buildup, it can lead to skin irritation and even infections. And you may even notice the sex toy’s surface starting to change and become unpleasant to use.

How to Avoid It

Instead of setting the toy aside after use to clean it some other time, make sure you clean the toys right after use, even if you’re feeling sleepy or relaxed and don’t want to do it. A quick rinse with warm water and a mild soap is all it takes! Or a quick wipe with a sex toy cleaner. Requires five minutes of your time, tops.

Also, always clean your new sex toys before you use them. Even if the toy is new and unused, it may have residue from handling and packaging, which is not something you want on or in your body.

Mistake #3: Submerging Non-Waterproof Toys in Water

It’s normal to assume that most sex toys these days (especially the more pricey ones) are waterproof. However, that’s not always the case, so you always have to check before you submerge the toys in water.

You see, if you submerge a non-waterproof sex toy into water, the water can seep into battery compartments, motors, or charging ports. This can quickly lead to rust, electrical damage, or complete failure of the toy.

How to Avoid It

Before you give your favorite sex toy a full bath, make sure you check the manufacturer’s manual or the website to see if the toy is waterproof (IPX7) or is only water-resistant or splashproof.

If the packaging says waterproof (IPX7), go ahead and submerge your toy into the water! If not, you’ll need an alternative way to clean it.

For cleaning non-waterproof sex toys, use:

• A damp cloth with soapy water to wipe down the surface.
• Alcohol-free, antibacterial wipes that are toy-safe.

Mistake #4: Not Drying Toys Properly Before Storing

Drying your sex toys properly is just as important as cleaning them thoroughly. You wash your toy, give it a quick shake, maybe wipe it quickly with a towel, and toss it into a drawer or a pouch while it’s still a little damp… That’s a recipe for a disaster!

Storing wet or damp toys can lead to bacterial or mold growth due to trapped moisture. That’s especially true for toys made from porous materials, but even toys made from non-porous materials can develop odor or discoloration over time.

Essentially, when you store a damp toy away, you’re turning your sex toy into a Petri dish for bacteria and mold to thrive. Let’s be honest–nobody wants that because mold is very toxic to health, and bacteria buildup can cause infections.

How to Avoid It

Once you wash your sex toys, allow them to air dry fully on a clean towel. Don’t put them next to the heat source (like a radiator) or in direct sunlight in an attempt to speed the process–heat and direct sunlight will damage your sex toys.

If you’re in a hurry or don’t want to leave your toys out for too long, gently pat the toy dry with a lint-free cloth (avoid using things like paper towels that can leave residue). Make sure no water is left inside crevices, battery compartments, or buttons before you store the toy away.

Mistake #5: Storing Toys Improperly

Be honest–how do you store your sex toys? Do you toss them all into one drawer? Or worse–do your sex toys live in a random drawer, rolling around unprotected amongst cables, pens, and dust?

No judgment here–you’re definitely not alone here. Many people make the same mistake of storing their sex toys wrong.

While storing sex toys may seem like an insignificant thing, proper storage matters more than you think. You see, dust, lint, and other debris can cling to the silicone and sticky materials of your toys. All that buildup then touches your body in intimate places…

Also, if you store multiple silicone toys together without a barrier between them, over time, material degradation happens, which can make your sex toys unusable, tacky, and sticky.

Storing your sex toys the wrong way may be harmful to your health and the longevity of your sex toys.

How to Avoid It

You may be wondering, then, how to store your sex toys correctly. Well, the easiest and best way to keep them is to store your sex toys in individual storage bags. LELO’s sex toys always come with satin storage pouches that protect against dust and are lint-free.

Another option is to wrap the toys in lint-free cloths individually to protect them against collecting dust and touching each other.

You can store your toys in a clean, dry drawer or a box that has protection against direct sunlight, is cool, and has good ventilation.

Avoid storing your toys in individual zip-lock bags because these tend to trap moisture, which can lead to mold and bacteria growth.

If you want to go the extra mile, you may get those drawer organizers you can use to store each toy individually to keep it all tidy and separated.

Bonus Tip: Check the Manufacturer’s Cleaning Guidelines

Every toy has different care needs. Some materials may require special treatment, while others may have motors or coatings that react poorly to certain cleaning products. That’s why your best bet before cleaning is to always read the toy manual, which often outlines the best way to clean that specific sex toy and things you should avoid.

Before the first wash, check the brand’s website or read the manual that comes in the box with your toy. Some brands offer detailed sex toy care tips and video guides to help you out–don’t skip those!

If in doubt, wash the toy with gentle soap and a damp cloth to avoid submerging the toy in water (just in case it’s not waterproof). Or you may reach out to the brand over email and ask them the best way to clean their sex toys.

The Bottom Line

Taking care of your sex toys isn’t complicated! But doing it the right way can make all the difference. Cleaning your sex toys properly ensures your safety and longer-lasting pleasure with your favorite toys. So, make sure you avoid these sex toy hygiene mistakes:

• Avoid using harsh cleaners.
• Clean your toys well before and after each use.
• Before submerging your sex toys into water, check to see if they’re fully waterproof.
• Make sure your sex toys are fully dried before storing them away.
• Store your sex toys in a cool, dry place in individual pouches so they don’t touch and are protected from dust.

If you follow these simple guidelines, your body and sex toys will thank you.

What does your current sex toy cleaning routine look like? Are there changes you can make today for better and safer play later?

Discover pleasure with:

SONA 2

ENIGMA

F1S V2

HUGO 2

GIGI 3

SORAYA Wave