Cleaning & Caring of Sex Toys

Taking care of sex toys

Sex toys can easily collect bacteria and other pathogens, so it is vital to make sure they are well cared for and cleaned. Not only is it good for your health, but if you take good care of your gear, your sex toys will last much longer. Regularly check the condition of your sextoys. Are there any discolourations, stains, breaks or any doubts about the quality of the material? Then it is advisable to replace the toy. Unfortunately, even with normal use, sex toys suffer from wear and tear and therefore have a limited lifespan.

Most toys never last a lifetime, but proper care will allow you to enjoy them for longer. Most sex toys come with clear instructions on how to care for them, but it's helpful to have an overview. You can also always contact the manufacturer of the toys or check their website for information on how they recommend care.

How toys are cleaned depends on what they are made of. Although sex toys can be made of many different materials, they are usually divided into two categories: porous and non-porous. Porous materials contain microscopic holes and can harbour more bacteria than non-porous materials, this shortens the lifespan of the toy in which you can safely use it.We will describe below how to clean, store and use the most common sex toy materials.For nooks, crannies and other places where dirt can accumulate, it is best to use a cotton swab.

For all toys, we generally recommend a non alcoholic toy cleaner ( https://www.erotic-discount.eu/en/pharmacy/cleaning-products-toy-cleaners/ ) as a basic cleaning after each use.

If in doubt about the material, always play it safe and use a water-based lubricant, clean with warm water and a little mild soap and a non alcoholic toycleaner . Let dry thoroughly and store the toys individually wrapped in a dark dry place.

Non-porous materials

Silicone

Silicone cleans with mild soap and warm water and a non-alcoholic toy cleaner after each use. If there are detachable parts, wash them separately and let everything dry thoroughly before putting the parts back together. If the silicone product is not motorised, it can also be placed briefly in boiling water for extra thorough cleaning. Be careful not to touch the bottom or edges. Let the toy dry thoroughly.

Silicone toys should not be stored together or other toys and should be packed individually to avoid reactions.

With silicone, a water-based lubricant is recommended. ( https://www.erotic-discount.eu/en/pharmacy/lubricants/water-based/ )

Borosilicate glass, acrylic, ABS, metal, stainless steel, aluminium and lacquered wood

Clean these toys after each use with mild soap and warm water and a non-alcoholic toy cleaner. If the product is waterproof and non-motorised, it can also be placed briefly in boiling water for extra thorough cleaning. Be careful not to touch the bottom or edges. Dry the toys thoroughly.

Toys made of these materials may be stored together and kept with toys made of other materials. A water- or silicone-based lubricant can be used with these materials. ( https://www.erotic-discount.eu/en/pharmacy/lubricants/ )

Porous materials

TPR / TPE: thermoplastic rubber and elastomer mixtures

Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is an elastomer that also has properties of plastic. It is made of a mix of plastic and rubber polymers. This material is often used in sex toys. It contains no phthalates or latex and is semi-porous.

Clean these toys after each use with mild soap and warm water and a non-alcoholic toy cleaner. If there are detachable parts, wash them separately and let everything dry thoroughly before putting the parts back together. If the product is not motorised, it can also be placed briefly in boiling water for extra thorough cleaning. Just be careful not to touch the bottom or edges.

Toys made of thermoplastic elastomer mixtures should not be stored together or other toys and should be packed individually to avoid reactions.

With toys made of thermoplastic elastomer, a water-based lubricant is recommended. Since the material is semi-porous, using a condom with toys you insert and exchange made of TPR/TPE is advisable.

PVC

Clean these toys after each use with mild soap and warm water and a non-alcoholic toy cleaner. If the product is waterproof and non-motorised, it can also be placed briefly in boiling water for extra thorough cleaning. Be careful not to touch the bottom or edges. Dry the toys thoroughly. Toys made of these materials may be stored together and kept with toys made of other materials. Both water- and silicone-based lubricant can be used with this material.

Latex

Clean these toys after each use with a mild soap and warm water and a non-alcoholic toy cleaner. Dry the toys thoroughly.

Toys made of these materials can be stored together and with toys made of other materials, except with toys (partly) made of metal due to discolouring. Latex can be treated with a special spray. ( https://www.erotic-discount.eu/en/eros-latex-shining-spray.html )

A water- or silicone-based lubricant can be used with this material. As the material is semi-porous, the use of a condom with toys you insert and exchange is advisable.

Jelly

Clean these toys after each use with warm water and a non-alcoholic toy cleaner. Dry the toys thoroughly.

Jelly toys cannot withstand heat very well and should therefore be stored in a cool, dark place. They should also not be stored together or with other toys and should be packed individually to avoid reactions.

Both water and silicone-based lubricants can be used with this material. As the material is porous, using a condom with toys you insert and exchange is advisable.

Cyberskin, Fanta Flesh, Real Skin, and Vinyl

To clean these toys, use water, a little mild soap, and a non-alcolholic toy cleaner. Pure alcohol is very harmful to this product, as is too much soap, as both can break down the product. When cleaning a masturbation cover, turn it inside out (like a sock) to get into all the nooks and crannies. Use a cotton swab for nooks and crannies. Let the product dry very well.

After washing, you may need to coat the toy with powder. This prevents the material from becoming sticky or breaking down quickly. Use a special talcum powder made for this purpose. ( https://www.erotic-discount.eu/en/male-talcum-powder-150-g.html )

Cyberskin contains silicone and should therefore not be stored together or with other toys and should be packed individually to avoid reactions.

With toys made of this cyberskyn, a water-based lubricant is recommended. As the material is porous, the use of a condom with toys you insert or exchange is advisable.

Crystal, Stone and Non-Pyrex Glass

These materials are generally porous unless sealed in a specific way. Clean them with warm water, soap and a non-alcoholic toy cleaner. Dry the toys well Crystal and non-Pyrex glass are also more sensitive to heat and should not be placed in boiling water. Both water- and silicone-based lubricant can be used with this material. Since the materials are semi-porous, using a condom with toys you insert is advisable.

Leather

Leather is often used for products such as harnesses, toys and wearables. Leather is a very porous material and can be difficult to clean. Use a damp flannel to wipe the material thoroughly and let it air dry. Make sure you clean every nook and cranny, including the stitching. In case of severe soiling, you can use a special leather cleaner. You can maintain leather with leather grease or oil.

Store leather dry and dark, leather can discolour and dry out from direct sunlight and heat.