Caring for you Sex Toys

Extend the life of your sex toys

With a few simple precautions, you can extend the life of your sex toys.
Apart from being a healthy habit, cleaning your toy before and after using it with soap and warm water is highly recommended. Usually, that's plenty.

It is no problem to use a condoms over a toy. This makes it safe to share toys, just remember to change the condom and ensures that it absorbs no fluids.

Do not dry your sextoys with a linty towel. Instead, dry with a paper towel or cotton cloth like an old t-shirt.

Store each of your pleasure toys in its own cloth or sheath. Many toy plastics are incompatible, and can bleed or melt together. Again, an old t-shirt makes a great toy-wrap. Plastic bags (like zippered freezer bags) work great, too.

Keep toys away from your pets. Fido will not understand that this shiny new thing didn't come from the pet store.

A vintage suitcase lined with velvet makes a great sex toy "cabinet" that will keep your stuff safe and out of sight.

Here is more specific information on caring for your sexy gear.
Make sure to remove batteries from your vibrator when it's not in use. This will prolong the life of the batteries and the toy.

Lubricants: Water-based works best with most toys. Oil and silicone lubes are mainly designed for men going solo. Never use Vaseline or petroleum jelly on a toy or inside your body. Anything but water-based lube will degrade your toy and could cause internal infection.

Vibrators: If your toy has mechanical parts, keep those away from water. Instead, wipe them down with a soapy cloth. Some vibrators come with a piece of clear plastic or paper inside the battery compartment. Keep it there when you insert the batteries - it reduces the noise level of the vibrator.

Anal Beads: File down any rough edges or seams with a nail file/sandpaper before first use.

Jelly toys: Store jelly sleeves separate from hard plastic components or other jelly toys to avoid melting and color bleeding.

Cyberskin: Cyberskin requires extra care. Don't use it with harnesses. After washing Cyberskin, make sure it dries completely. Dust lightly with cornstarch to keep surfaces from getting tacky. (Don't use talc, which has been linked to cancer of the female reproductive organs.) Cyberskin is very porous, so don't share toys unless you've used a condom over it.

Silicone: A little extra attention will make silicone toys last forever. So, be careful not to nick or cut silicone. Use only water-based lube. Unlike jellies and plastics, you can clean silicone by boiling it in water. Make sure toys are fully dry before putting them away. Store in a plastic baggie or lint-free cloth in a dark, cool area.

Pocket Pussy and sleeves: Wash sleeves in warm soapy water. Be careful not to nick or cut the surface. Use only water-based lubricant. Never use silicone lubes, or oils or lotions because they'll degrade the toy's surface. Make sure the sleeve is fully dry before putting it away. Store it in a plastic baggie or lint-free cloth in a dark, cool area.

Glass toys: Never insert anally unless the toy is specifically designed for that purpose. Glass gets super slippery. Inspect glass toys before each use for nicks or cracks, and discard the toy if you find any. Clean with soap and water or use a dishwasher. Glass toys are safe to share if they are sterilized in boiling water.

Lingerie: Follow the instructions on the label, or wash in cold water with a mild clothing soap like Woolite.

Paddles, whips and restraints: Wipe wooden paddles down with a damp cloth. Don't immerse in water or the wood will warp! Plastic paddles are water-resistant. Leather can be cleaned with leather cleaner or wiped with a damp soapy cloth. Nylon and neoprene restraints are waterproof and can be immersed if necessary.