Are you cleaning your vibrator correctly?

Vibrators

You buy a vibrator, it feels great, it gives you an incredible orgasm - it's great! But... What's the next step?

Well, in addition to buying another one (yes, your nightstand will fill up before you know it), you'll have to clean up what you have!

This is one of the most important steps in making your sex toy work for you as long as possible, yet too many of us ignore it or are just not sure about the best way to do it. In fact, a 2009 study reported that almost 14 percent of women never cleaned their vibrators before or after using them. Oh.

Yes, those post-orgasm hormones make it hard to get out of bed and clean your vibrator, but it's not as daunting as you might think.

I've created this guide to guide you on how to clean vibrators, from finding out what vibrators are made of, to creating a personalized cleaning plan for your buzz, and how to store them in the most hygienic way possible.

What is your vibrator made of?

How you clean your vibrator depends on several different factors, not just its material.

In the world of sex toys, we like to classify all toys into two categories: porous and non-porous. Porous materials, such as PVC, rubber, TPE, etc. They all have small holes that can hide dirt and bacteria, making them unhygienic.

We generally don't recommend buying sex toys made of porous materials - they are difficult to clean properly, degrade quickly, and in some cases they may even contain toxic chemicals that can be very damaging to your body.

Non-porous materials, on the other hand, are perfect for sex toys. They don't have any holes, which makes them safer and easier to clean. They just need a quick wipe or scrub. Non-perforated toys are usually made of the following materials:

• Silicone
• Glass
• Stainless steel
• Wood (sealed with safety paint)

Is my vibrator waterproof?

Of course, the way you clean your vibrator also depends on whether it's waterproof. After all, you don't want to submerge a vibrator when its electrical part is exposed to water!

Whether you have a small vibrator, a vibrating egg, a vibrator that remotely controls your underwear, or a standard rabbit vibrator, it's basically irrelevant. But if you have a rope vibrator, be especially careful with the water! Also, beware of cheap vibrators that advertise themselves as waterproof. If you really want to make sure it's waterproof, pick up a vibrator from one of these bath sex toys.

But you may notice that when you look at many vibrator product descriptions, they often use words other than "waterproof" or "not waterproof."

If you see a toy that is "submersible," which means it is completely waterproof, you can continue to submerge it completely, or rinse it as much as you like.

If the instructions say "splash proof," that means you can quickly rinse it under the faucet, but you shouldn't keep it completely underwater, and you shouldn't put it in a bathtub or shower. When cleaning such toys, it is usually a good idea to cover the charging port if it is exposed.

Finally, if your vibrator isn't waterproof, you shouldn't put it anywhere near water. Instead, wipe it off with a paper towel or damp cloth and some soap, then don't forget to dry it thoroughly.

What is used to clean the vibrator

Soap and water.

If you think learning how to properly clean a vibrator requires buying a lot of professional lotions and potions, think again. You probably already have what you need in your bathroom cupboard, or at least at your local dollar store.

The easiest and probably most effective way to clean your vibrator is plain soap and water. Opt for a mild, unscented hand sanitizer or dish soap, lather your sex toy with some water for a few minutes, then rinse it off and you're good to go!

However, you should avoid scented soaps, or soaps with moisturizing ingredients, as they can affect the pH balance of your genitals (especially if you have a vagina) and cause problems such as bacterial or yeast infections. In fact, if you're prone to these problems, you might even encounter them with mild soaps - in which case, you might want to check out our other tips below.

Of course, if your vibrator isn't waterproof, you should keep it out of the water. Instead, use a damp cloth soaked in soap and dry thoroughly with a clean cloth.

Or read on for another option...

Sex toy cleaning

Another popular way to clean vibrators is to use a specially formulated sex toy cleaner. They usually come in spray form, but foam cleaners and even wipes are available as options.

Many sex toy companies have their own product cleaning programs, but that doesn't mean you have to buy a special cleaner for every different toy.

As long as you find one you like, you can use it to match almost every toy you'll come across.

Sex toy cleaner works great! Simply apply a generous amount to the vibrator, keep it on the vibrator for the specified amount of time, then rinse or wipe off the excess and dry with a clean towel.

For toys that are not waterproof, sex toy wipes are a good alternative because they do not require any moisture and only produce moisture where it is wiped. When cleaning these types of toys, be careful to avoid any electrical parts and remember to dry them.

The only problem with sex cleaning toys is that they usually don't catch everything (especially wipes!). If possible, also try to wash with soap and water and keep a ready-made detergent to save time occasionally.

Steer clear of these!

There is a lot of advice online on how to clean vibrators or other sex toys, and much of it is conflicting or just plain confusing. There are various articles recommending various methods of disinfecting sex toys, many of which are undesirable and even dangerous!

I have a simple rule and encourage you to do the same: Don't use anything to clean a sex toy you don't want in your body.

This includes, but is definitely not limited to, bleach, alcohol, Windex, hydrogen peroxide, or any scrubbing product containing abrasives. All of these can cause serious damage to your skin and/or internal organs, and you should keep them away from your vibrator.

You should also avoid cleaning your vibrator in boiling water. You may have heard of the infamous "sex toy soup," where silicone toys are sterilized in boiling water for a few minutes, but that's not a good idea for a vibrator.

Hot water and motors do not mix, and your vibrator is likely to be damaged if exposed to too much heat. Therefore, you should not try to clean the vibrator in the dishwasher.