During a long-term separation from my husband, I turned to sex toys for comfort and to release sexual tension. One particularly memorable incident involved a sex toy gifted to me by a military acquaintance. This toy was designed to replicate a real human penis complete with two testicles that allowed it to stand upright on its own. It even had a suction cup at the base for attaching to surfaces. However, things took an unexpected turn when my friend Molly, upon seeing the large brown gift, took a massive bite into the toy’s head, resulting in an opening at the tip.

Despite being creeped out by this bizarre turn of events, I didn’t immediately discard the toy. It wasn’t until later when my girlfriend asked me to bring it along to entertain her partner, Sam, that I realized the toy needed cleaning due to the opening at the tip.

When it comes to keeping sex toys clean, it’s crucial for maintaining hygiene and preventing potential health issues. According to Amanda Morgan, a sexologist and associate professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, using unclean sex toys can introduce harmful bacteria or pathogens, leading to conditions like bacterial vaginosis or urinary tract infections, especially if the toys are shared among partners.

Most types of sex toys, including vibrators, dildos, and anal toys, can be surface-cleaned using liquid soap and water, followed by air-drying. However, in certain situations, it’s essential to disinfect toys more thoroughly.

For surface cleaning, you’ll need water, liquid hand soap or castile soap (avoid harsh soaps like dish soap), and paper towels or clean washcloths for air-drying. Deep cleaning methods include boiling toys in water for a few minutes after surface-cleaning them or using a bleach solution for disinfection.

Dishwashers can also be used for cleaning nonmechanized toys with appropriate settings.

It’s important to choose the right cleaning method based on your toy’s material and usage. Nonporous toys made of materials like 100% silicone, metal, borosilicate glass, or hard plastic can be cleaned effectively. However, porous toys that can harbor bacteria, such as jelly rubber or PVC, are not recommended for use.

In summary, proper cleaning and maintenance of sex toys are vital for personal hygiene and preventing infections. It’s always wise to refer to the toy’s manual for specific cleaning instructions and consult experts like Searah Deysach and Sophia Chase for best practices in sex toy hygiene