Are You Properly Taking Care of Your Sex Toys?

Sex toys are always a fun and exciting addition to a healthy sex life, no matter if you’re coupled up, single forever, or just dating around. More than half of women in the U.S. admit to using a sex toy alone or with a partner, and something tells me that a lot of the women in that remaining half are big fibbers.

Whether you have a treasure trove of vibrators, stimulators, and other sexy goodies stashed under your bed, or you prefer to keep things simple with just a few trusty plastic boyfriends, taking care of your sex toys is extremely important. Many of the best are extremely expensive, and without proper care, could potentially transmit harmful bacteria or STIs to your ladybits.

Check out this list of sex toy care tips to make sure that yours are always in tip-top shape the next time you need a little private time with that sexy Benedict Cumberbatch fan fiction you found online.

1. Clean Them. Often.

This seems like a no-brainer, but a lot of women forget to regularly clean their sex toys. At The Huffington Post, Julie Kerr, author of “Ask A Clean Person” says that washing your dildos and vibrators is as simple as heading to the bathroom sink after your self-love sesh. All you'll need is a little warm water and soap. Hand sanitizers like Purell are usually too harsh. “And, generally speaking, most people would not put rubbing alcohol in themselves." Good point, Julie Kerr.

2. Check them regularly for damage.

Even if you’re just a light sex toy user, they’re still susceptible to damage — cheap sex toys in particular. Harder plastics can crack and splinter, which sounds really, really painful for the vulva’s delicate skin. Softer, more “natural” feeling toys made of jelly or rubber can rip, and glass sex toys can become chipped. Every few months, give your toys a once-over to inspect for any damage, and replace any that just can’t get the job done anymore.

3. Use the right lube.

Some lubricants can damage sex toys, even if they’re perfectly okay for use with your sex partner. Silicone-based lubricants can damage “realistic skin” toys, but water-based lubricants are approved for use with most sex toys. Oil-based lubricants can degrade both sex toys and condoms, so it may be best to just stay away from them altogether when you’re enjoying a little spiced-up fun with your partner.

4. Store them properly.

You probably already have your sex toys tucked away out of sight, but you need a better place to store them than under your bed. The soft silicone finishes of many toys attract dust and other grossness, so it’s best to put them in a box that can keep the grime at bay. If you don’t use a toy frequently, remove its batteries to prevent corrosion that could be damaging.

5. Replace them occasionally.

After a year (or less) of heavy use, sex toys may begin to kind of fall apart. Even if there is no mechanical or structural damage to your toy, it likely has become more porous throughout the years, especially for silicone toys. These microscopic holes can be havens for bacteria and sexually transmitted diseases, especially if you share toys or use them in, ahem, multiple places.

6. Keep them dry.

Mold and mildew aren’t anything I want near my vagina, especially hidden weirdly in the crevices of my sex toys. Always wash and thoroughly dry your toys after use to prevent these icky intruders from ruining your toys. This may also prolong the life of your sex toys so that you can get the most out of your $300 investment in that fancy vibrator.

Sex toys can be pricey as hell, so it’s important to keep them in good shape to maintain their longevity. With a few extra minutes in cleaning and proper storage, you could look forward to a long life with your main man Mr. Buzzy.