Having spent a good amount of money on new tools for your pleasure toolkit, you've invested in some truly awesome ones. Great news! When the fun is over, what happens after everything has been enjoyed? Keeping your male sex toys clean is a very important aspect of maintaining a healthy routine; any and all other 'parts' of that routine should be considered similarly. Extending their lifespan is one part of it, but keeping them in some form of healthy and safe state is the more important factor we are all trying to achieve here.
It would be perfect if you could quickly, easily, and to at least some degree highly effectively create a post-play routine to follow? The following guide will walk you through all the specific instructions needed to properly clean your male sex toys. A wide array of materials are available for just such a purpose, plus various (easy to implement) storage methods. Our goal is a pleasure practice that you can enjoy - stress free, small time concerns removed or at least minimized. Enjoying the 'after' is just as important as the 'before' and 'during'.
Why Cleaning Your Male Sex Toys Is a Non-Negotiable
The truth is that dirty toys are essentially breeding grounds for bacteria, mold, and a near infinite number of other 'unwanted guests'. Keeping them out of the house is a wise precaution. Using a male sex toy that has not been properly cleaned introduces these germs into your body; skin irritation, various types of infections, and even urinary tract infections (UTIs) are all possible outcomes. Taking this risk is something that should never be considered - detrimental to at least some aspect of your health, physical or mental.
Proper cleaning offers many benefits; protecting health being the primary one. Longer term good condition of the male sex toy itself is another. High quality materials degrade over time, and proper care (of whatever form it takes) slows this process. Favorite masturbators and rings in particular need to be cleaned regularly; maintaining near perfect condition is a small but important part of taking care of yourself.
"Think of male sex toy cleaning as part of the experience. It's an act of self-care that ensures your pleasure is always safe and worry-free. A few minutes of cleaning guarantees peace of mind." - Sexual Wellness Advisor
The Golden Rule: Clean Before and After Every Use
The answer to that is yes, you read it correctly. There is a difference between before and after. Cleaning your male sex toy before you use it will get rid of any dust or simple lint that it might have picked up during its storage. Using it itself is the second part - right after using it, some form of cleaning should occur; body fluids in particular can very quickly become a near perfect breeding ground for various types of bacteria. If you haven't cleaned the male sex toy yet, do so as soon as possible after playing with it. Sitting it out overnight is the absolute last thing you want to do.
Cleaning Your Male Sex Toys by Material: A Simple Breakdown
In the world of male sex toys, not all of them are created equal. The way in which you clean them depends heavily on the specific material they are made from. Using the completely wrong cleaner on said material can lead to some form of irreversible damage. A guide to handling the more common types of materials found within male sex toys is what I aim to provide here. Tips are below.
- Silicone: The Durable Favorite: Silicone is a top-tier material for a reason. Body-safe, non-porous, and highly durable, it simply holds up to almost any use. Tiny holes where bacteria could hide are absent; super hygienic and easy to clean is one of its primary advantages. Most high-quality male masturbators, plugs, and various forms of rings are made from this material.
- TPE: The Soft, Lifelike Material: TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) provides that soft, stretchy, near perfect realistic feel. Realistic masturbators are the prime example of TPE use. The key difference from silicone being porous - constant and more 'diligent' cleaning is required.
- Glass and Metal: The Sleek Hygienic Options: Glass and to a point stainless steel toys are elegant, firm (temperature play being ideal), simple to look after. Non-porous as mentioned above, sterilization is near constant ease. All round excellent choices.
Quick-Reference Cleaning Guide
|
Material |
Porous? |
Recommended Cleaner |
Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Silicone |
No |
Toy cleaner or mild soap |
Use water-based lube only. Can be boiled for deep cleaning. |
|
TPE |
Yes |
Toy cleaner or mild soap |
Must be dried completely. Do not boil or use harsh chemicals. |
|
Glass |
No |
Toy cleaner or mild soap |
Can be boiled or put in the dishwasher for sterilization. |
|
Metal |
No |
Toy cleaner or mild soap |
Can be boiled or put in the dishwasher for sterilization. |
Don't Forget the Electronics!
Can you think of any other male sex toys that vibrate or electronic masturbators that you can imagine? If your male sex toy has some sort of motor or charging port, it is probably at least partially water-resistant. Fully waterproof is the ideal, but not always the case. Please read the manufacturer's instructions carefully before using any product.
Male sex toys that are splash-proof or simply water-resistant should never be fully submerged. Non-electronic parts can be cleaned with regular soap and water; a damp cloth containing toy cleaner is perfect for wiping the areas around the charging port or smaller buttons.
Complete waterproof male sex toys can and should be submerged for cleaning. Easy cleaning is a large part of the enjoyment of using these devices. Completely drying the port (on the side if possible) before re-plugging in is the last step to a fully cleaned male sex toy.
Proper Storage: The Final Step
Having washed and dried your male sex toy, the next step is for you to decide what to do with it. Being able to clean male sex toys is very important, but just as important is the way in which they are stored. Putting them in a drawer with various other items is something to be avoided; dust, some form of physical damage, and cross-contamination all occur within a drawer. Proper storage - both mentally and physically - is a large part of male sex toy care.
- Ensure It's Completely Dry: This is the most important step. Storing a damp male sex toy can lead to mold or some form of bacterial growth; porous materials (TPE being a prime example) are particularly susceptible.
- Use a Dedicated Bag or Box: Most quality male sex toys come with their own small storage pouch. If not, any type of silk, velvet, or simple cotton bag works well. Protecting the male sex toy from constant dusting and minor physical damage is the primary goal here.
- Store Male Sex Toys Separately: Different materials reacting with one another is a concern. Silicone toys can often be kept together, but all round safer storage would be individual bags or at least some sort of physical separation.
- Keep Them in a Cool, Dark Place: A drawer or boxed collection away from direct sunlight is ideal. Extreme temperatures (hot or cold) will and do degrade many male sex toy materials over time.
Conclusion
Taking care of your male sex toys is a very simple practice, but important to follow. A safe, healthy, and satisfying sexual exploration is the end goal of any sexual experience we want to have. The steps outlined below are easy to implement; keeping them in mind will ensure that the 'tools' of pleasure you use are always ready for whatever may come (physically or emotionally). Positive experiences are the result of this kind of careful, near-constant attention to detail. Have fun with it all - I truly believe sexual exploration should be joyful. Cleaning up your male sex toys afterwards is part of the fun as well.