We know cleaning is not everyone’s idea of a good time (apols Mrs Hinch stans), but we can all agree that it’s a necessary chore to keep things ship-shape.
From personal grooming to scrubbing grime from your pots and pans, a little maintenance is vital to keep things looking, smelling and working beautifully.
Never is this more essential than in one particular area - your sex toys.
Whatever you use to have a good time in your downtime, dirt and bacteria can build up: stains, spills and various... secretions. Whether you’re playing with a friend or flying solo, it’s important to give your most reached-for adult devices a good clean to stay safe.
Using unclean toys can lead to all sorts of nether-region nastiness, mainly infections - and if left untreated they can develop into something more serious.
The best course of action is to clean them after every use, or in between back and front door play. There’s nothing like the idea of cleaning to stop that post-coital high in its tracks, but risking a UTI is even more of a buzz kill. Even toys made from body-safe silicone need a wash between sessions.
We spoke to Annabelle Knight, sex expert with sexual wellness brand Lovehoney, for further guidance.
“Make sure your sex toys are cleaned before and after you use them to ensure optimum hygiene. The only things you need for the cleaning process is hot water, a good-quality sex toy cleaner and a clean dry towel or kitchen roll.
“To clean, give your toys a quick rinse and then spray them with sex toy cleaner. Leave it for 30 seconds or so, and then clean any stubborn areas (such as ridges or nodules) carefully before rinsing all the cleaner off with warm water. To dry, you can either leave your toy to air dry on sheets of clean kitchen roll or speed up the process by drying with a clean towel.
“By cleaning thoroughly and drying your toys completely, you’ll prevent dust and bacteria build-up and keep them looking, feeling and smelling like new.”
Lucy Litwack from luxury brand Coco De Mer agrees with the need to keep toys pristine in order to safeguard future pleasure: “Treating your toys with care will only work in your favour.” She also shared her do’s and don’ts of sex toy cleaning:
Lucy Litwack’s do’s and don’ts of sex toy cleaning
Do’s
- Keeping your toys clean is essential in order to prevent any bacteria build up - and this will ensure they last as long as possible. To keep your pleasure objects in pristine condition, clean them after each use and use a product that is specifically recommended for the type of toy - different toys react differently to cleaners, so make sure you have the right cleaner for the material.
- How you store your toy is as important as how you clean it. Make sure you keep them all separate, ideally in fabric bags or cases.
- If a toy starts to change in colour, scent or surface texture, I strongly recommend recycling that toy and buying a new one. Any damage to the surface can cling to bacteria - once this happens it can’t be cleaned properly and can lead to discomfort and infections.
Don’ts
- Avoid soaps or abrasive chemicals like bleach at all costs, as this will damage the surface of the toy, not to mention how harsh they are on your body. Treat your toy the way you would your skin, with products that you would feel comfortable using on your body.
- Never ever put toys in the dishwasher - this is a big no-no! Not only do dishwasher tablets contain horrible chemicals, but chances are they will damage your toy too. For non-vibrating toys made of silicone, glass or metal, it’s best to let them sit in boiling water for 1-3 minutes prior to cleaning with your toy cleaner.
Responsible pleasure: where to recycle old sex toys
Unwanted electrical equipment is the UK’s fastest-growing type of waste. While lots of it can be recycled, things like defunct adult toys must be taken to a designated electrical waste collection centre - but really, who’s brave enough to drop off their dog-eared vibrators in person?
Litwack says all adult toy retailers offer a WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) recycling system. “you can take back your toy once it has reached its end of life and the company will be able to dispose of the toy responsibly. There are specific government guidelines for each type of toy to ensure minimal environmental impact - incredibly important with battery-operated toys. Before you send it to the retailer, make sure your toy is thoroughly cleaned and placed in a sealed bag to keep things hygienic, and take a look on their website or speak to customer services about discreet returns.”
If you want to prolong the lifespan of your toy before the recycling option, this is where cleaning comes in. Specialised sex toy cleaners help keep your vibrators, dildos and eggs spotless and sanitised. We’ve rounded up the best options below to buy now and keep in your bedside table drawer (or whatever else constitutes your personal toy chest).
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Coco De Mer Toy Cleaner spray mist 100ml
So beautifully packaged that you’ll have no qualms whatsoever about keeping it on display, this 100ml cleaning mist is part of legendary lingerie brand Coco De Mer’s adult Pleasure collection.
Keep it on standby to spritz after the waves have crashed, and wait five seconds before wiping with a clean and dry soft cloth. That’s all that’s needed to get your devices ready for next time.
Also available at Cult Beauty.
Buy now £25.00, Sephora
Lovehoney Fresh Toy Cleaner 250ml
A leading light in the adult pleasure game, Lovehoney is a den of treasures when it comes to adult toys, sexy lingerie and fun accessories. It also takes hygiene and sexual health seriously, with an own-brand spray to keep your toys squeaky clean. The bumper 250ml bottle will last ages and the water-based cleaning solution is safe to use on all materials. Spritz, leave for a few seconds to allow the formula to work, then rinse and dry.
There’s also a 100ml bottle that’s handy to take on trips that are all pleasure, no business (£7.99).
Buy now £12.99, Lovehoney
Vush Clean Queen Intimate Accessory Spray 80ml
Fragrance-free and ideal for intimate areas, this vegan cleaning spray will make your down-and-dirty toys fresh and hygienic in seconds. Simply spritz on external toys and wait for them to dry. The fine mist spray means you won't waste a drop.
Buy now £8.00, Currentbody
LELO Premium Cleaning Spray 60ml
Get back to the action faster thanks to LELO’s cleaning spray, made to keep your equipment fresh and hygienic. The solution is irritant-free: just spritz a few times on your toy, give it five or six seconds to get to work, then wipe clean adding a rinse and drying afterwards for good measure. Packaged in a minimal bottle, at 60ml it’s perfectly sized to take on trips away too.
Buy now £14.99, Lovehoney
Intimina Intimate Accessory Cleaner
Made to keep the brand’s line of menstrual cups clean, Intimina’s pH-balanced formula is safe to use on materials like silicone, rubber and latex - so there’s no reason why you can’t use them on sex toys too.
The paraben and alcohol-free spray is a body-safe sanitiser and works in much the same way as the other sprays listed in this edit. Apply a few spritzes to the surface of your product and leave for a few seconds before rinsing off and wiping with a lint-free towel or cloth.
Buy now £11.90, lookfantastic
Ann Summers Buzz Fresh Toy Cleaning Foam
There's nothing like a lather to make you feel truly clean. This mild soap is perfect for using to clean your toys, and the foam makes it far more eco-friendly than using cleaning wipes. The vegan formula comes in a pump bottle for easier dispensing.
Buy now £8.10, Ann Summers
So Divine Pristine Toy Cleaner 100ml
A water-based formula that helps to clean sex toys, this inexpensive product will help you feel safe and sanitary at all times.
Buy now £6.39, lookfantastic
Fleshlight Sex Toy Care Kit
For those who use a Fleshlight, cleaning the sleeve thoroughly can be a tricky task. That is, until you order this three-piece kit that will rid all the nooks and crannies of your device of any lurking dirt. The purchase contains a water-based lube, cleaner and renewer powder to ensure you get the full, safe experience each and every time.
Buy now £26.99, Lovehoney
