It goes without saying that sex toys are a great addition to your sex life, with or without a partner. But it’s also very important to take care and pay attention to their hygiene because not washing your toy, sharing it with multiple users or using cheap quality ones can cause you more harm than pleasure. If you don’t keep them clean then you’re running the risk of getting a bacterial infection. You’ve got to take extra care because this is the device that’s well acquainted with your most intimate parts. So if you’re doing things like visiting a gynaecologist or using condoms to stay safe and healthy … then you have to apply the same formula here. We’ve put together a hygiene guide to keep your sex toys clean and long-lasting.
1. Pay attention to quality:
Watch out for any unintentional sharp ends and bumps on the toy, which could cause scratches on the skin of your intimate areas. A good quality toy should be smooth (unless ridged in a streamlined way like some condoms), unbreakable and easy to clean.
Since sex toys are purely for pleasure, there has never been any FDA regulation for them. So there are no clear cut rules of what’s good and what’s bad. You may find toys that don’t have the material of the toy mentioned on the packaging which you should avoid! We do know that certain kinds of plastic are carcinogenic and some others cause allergies and cheap jelly dildos and vibrators often cause severe burning and itching sensations. So don’t compromise on quality.
2. Keep it germ-free:
Most sex toys can be easily cleaned up using water. But if you’ve got one that has a cord or a battery protruding, don’t use water to clean them. You can use a mild cleanser or even intimate care wipes. After you wash the sex toy, rinse it well and clean it with a piece of dry cloth.
3. Single person use:
Sharing sex toys may not always be harmful but it can, in certain cases, cause sexually transmitted diseases. Make sure you don’t share your toy with anyone.
4. Read and follow:
Most sex toys brought from reputed sources come with a detailed instruction manual, which tells you how to use, store, clean and maintain the product. Read the manual carefully and follow the instructions to avoid any mishaps.
The safest options
To avoid all kinds of known and unknown toxic toys, pick ones which are 100 per cent silicone and opaque. The glass ones that come in multiple colours and shapes are non-porous (doesn’t allow liquid or air to pass), phthalate-free (phthalates are a certain type of harmful chemical) and easy to clean.
