When you start using sex toys regularly it can be an exciting revelation. But cleaning them? Do we have to?
It’s not a glamorous part of the process, but cleaning your dildo is a very important part. Especially for textured dildos, make sure to clean them every time you use them with warm soapy water, and store them in a cool dry place to keep them in the best possible condition.
How Often Do Adult Toys Need to Be Cleaned?
How often you clean your toys is simple and easy to remember:
Clean your toys before and after every single use.
Cleaning them before you use them might seem unnecessary, but it’s very easy for dust, dirt and bacteria to build up on the surface between uses, especially for an ass dildo that may contain other matters. You’re putting these things in your body, so you want them to be as clean as possible!
What Can You Use to Wash Your Dildo?
Luckily, cleaning dildos is one of the simplest and easiest things you can do. There’s two ways to go:
- Warm, soapy water.
- Sex toy cleanser.
Both can be applied with a clean cloth. Then once you’re done, either leave the dildo to air dry or pat it dry with paper towels. It needs to be completely dry to avoid any mold building up between uses.
Know Your Materials
If you already own a dildo, then you probably know that they come in a variety of different materials. Whether you prefer the typical ones or the more specialized kinds, like an anal dildo or a squirting dildo, there are a few things you should know about each one that can help you with keeping them clean.
Silicone
Silicone is one of the most common dildo materials. It’s non-porous, so cleaning it isn’t a huge hassle.
In fact, the majority of premium silicone toys can even be put in the dishwasher, so it’s simple and quick! There’s really no excuse. Make sure to check the packaging before you use the dishwasher though. A melted dildo isn’t fun to clean.
For storage, you should make sure that no silicone toys are ever touching each other. Over time the material can react with itself, causing your toys to melt. Gross!
Glass
Most glass sex toys aren’t really glass, they’re pyrex. This is the same stuff many oven dishes are made out of, which again means we can use the dishwasher to clean them.
The only thing to really look out for when cleaning glass dildos is the temperature. They can retain heat, so you may want to use an oven glove when handling them just to be safe.
Metal
Metal is exactly the same as glass, as long as it’s stainless steel. If you aren’t sure, err on the side of caution and avoid the dishwasher.
Again these can be very hot after being in hot water, so take care when handling them.
Hard plastics, Cyberskin and Elastomer Jelly
All three of these materials are porous, which means they have small pores (like little holes) all over the surface of the material. This means that bacteria can actually get inside the surface of the dildo, so you need to be extra thorough when cleaning them.
The two main cleaning methods still work great, but you should avoid the dishwasher. These toys are much more likely to melt.
Ultimately though, over time, bacteria will build up inside the surface and you’ll need to replace your sex toy. Make sure to check it thoroughly before each use, and if it’s starting to look a little discolored or worn then it’s time to replace it.
You can prolong the life of these types of dildo by using condoms with them.
Other Materials
You can find dildos made from more unusual materials like wood or ceramics, but these are much less common. If you do end up owning one of these dildos, then our best advice is to read the instructions that come with it. They’ll usually explain how to clean it.
If you’re ever unsure, don’t be afraid to contact the manufacturer!
So that’s it. The quick, simple guide to keeping your dildos clean. Now just make sure you do it!
