Good, Clean, Fun: How to clean sex toys

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There are many reasons why it's important to clean sex toys after each use. Luckily, keeping them in tip-top condition is a cinch. Many manufacturers and toy companies often make their own anti-bacterial sprays or provide a sample toy cleaner. Good practice in terms of hygiene should start from the moment you buy your toy and cleaning couldn't be simpler. Here's our guide to squeaky clean sex toys as well as some do's and don'ts when cleaning.

How To Clean Sex Toys

Really all you need is hot water, an anti-bacterial spray like Sparkle Toy Cleaner or System Jo Antibacterial Toy Cleaner and paper towel or a clean towel.

Fill the sink with hot, but not boiling, water and rinse your toy. Avoid getting any controls or electrical bits wet if your sex toy is not waterproof.

While damp, spray with a toy cleaner and leave it for 30 seconds.

Give the sex toy a second rinse to remove the cleaner. If the toy is textured, has nodules or ridges for example, then be sure to give an extra wipe over to get into all of the nooks. Use a clean, damp cloth for this.

Once thoroughly rinsed, either pat dry with the towel, or leave it to air dry. With silicone products you may find that rubbing with a towel causes bits to stick onto you're recently cleaned toy, so best to let air dry.

Keep sex toys free from dust by storing them in a sealed container, or box.

Do clean your toys before and after use.
Do remove batteries if your toy is not waterproof.
Do make sure any charging sockets on the toy are covered before washing.
Do ensure all antibacterial spray is rinsed off.

Don't submerge your sex toy in water if it's not waterproof, even for cleaning.
Don't dry your sex toy on a radiator or by a heater.
Don't put sex toys away while still damp.

Cleaning Real Feel Toys

Sex toys that are classed as 'real feel' (think Fleshlight, Doc Johnson UR3 products and Tenga for example) are often made from a mixture of materials and the softness tends to attract more dust than the average toy. While all of the above steps should be followed when cleaning any 'real feel' toys, there is also one extra step you can take to ensure they're kept in tip-top condition.

After they've air dried, sprinkle with cornflower, or a renewing powder like Fleshlight Renewing Powder or Doc Johnson Vac-U-Lock Removal Powder. These will stop them feeling sticky and picking up extra dust or dirt. It's always advised with these products to keep them in a separate storage container, or pouch if they don't come with their own anti-dust case.