Dildos, as well as other sex toys, have become popular for the last couple of years. According to the research published in the Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 52% of the US women said they had used a sex toy at least once in life. Most participants said that they tend to clean their toys regularly.
Along with the coronavirus outbreak, people started using dildos and other sex toys even more. Insider provides us with the information that 1 out of 4 of the surveyed people uses the sex toy now more often than ever before. What does it mean?
Now the sex toy industry is growing at a wild rate. Lonely people need orgasms but can’t receive them from others. Yep, dildos are in demand now but some people either neglect or refuse to follow basic rules to keep their toys clean 24/7. What should they do?
Proper treatment includes smart sex toy storing, regular washing, and using protection on sex toys during penetration sex. But, many of us buy a toy and get puzzled when it comes to the cleaning part. Some of us think that toys need magical cleaning and require unrealistic effort. So, how to clean a dildo?
Cleaning silicone dildos
Silicone sex toys, including dildos, belong to non-porous sex toys, which is good news. Apart from that, they’re super soft and gentle, remind us a lot of a real penis. If you’re wondering how to clean silicone dildos properly, you have several options.
First off, handwash them with soap and water. Then, make sure to let it air dry and use it again. Secondly, you’re free to put in into the dishwasher. Yep, you heard me right. Or, boil your silicone friend for about 5 minutes and let it dry (don’t do this with vibrators!). Pay special attention to cleaning silicone dildos since this material needs more care than others.
Cleaning glass dildos
Remember about being non-porous and stuff? Well, glass dildos also have this advantage. Moreover, you can use a glass dildo both for vaginal masturbation and anal sex. The only thing about them is that they lack flexibility and need a little warming up. Seriously.
So, how to clean glass dildos? You can use an antibacterial wet wipe and let it air dry. Besides, try out washing your glass dildo in a dishwasher. These buddies are dishwasher-friendly so they won’t break your machine. Moreover, they’ll shine bright like a diamond in no time!
Cleaning metal dildos
As you might guess, metal dildos don’t have those nasty pores, as well. Thus, they are not likely to store those dangerous bacteria for a long time. Just like glass dildos, metal sex toys are easy to clean. Unfortunately, they’re not that flexible, as well.
Dishwashers are welcome if you’re thinking about how to clean metal dildos. But, the best thing you can do to your steel toys is to boil them in a pot for about 10 minutes and let them air dry. Also, you can carefully wash them in lukewarm water with anti-bacterial soap. At least, clean your toys with wet wipes, please!
Cleaning anal dildos
Anal dildos need to be cleaned as thoroughly as silicone ones since they become smelly over time. We’re all humans, that’s okay! Besides, anal dildos are made of different materials like glass, cyber skin, stainless steel, silicone, and realistic feel.
Some people say that you need to purchase specialized toy cleaners, while others recommend soaking anal dildos in water with a disinfectant. While metal, glass, silicone, and other sturdy, non-porous dildos could be washed in a dishwasher, cyber skin and realistic feel dildos consider dishwashers as enemies.
Note that it’s better to store your anal sex toys apart from oral sex toys. Believe me, oral toys begin smelling just like their anal colleagues if treated badly. So, use separate drawers or shelves to keep guys from fighting. This way your oral sex will not smell like anal.
So, how to clean any anal dildo to keep it safe and sound? Handwash your toy with lukewarm water and soap. Rinse it and let the toy air dry. Do this every time after you had sex with a toy and there will be no place for STIs or infections.
What to do if you don’t have time for this?
Well, if you’re too lazy to follow simple rules of hygiene, you’re in danger. Especially if you love sharing your dildos with your partner or friends. First off, sex toys transmit sexual infections, just like casual sex does. The most popular of them are chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, bacterial vaginosis, and shigella.
Some of these infections can live on your dildo for days, if not weeks. Not so cool, is it? So, if you want to avoid unpleasant consequences of using dirty toys, use a condom each time you have sex that includes penetration. This is the most basic thing you can do to stay healthy.
Another thing that can save your life is soaking your toys in a sink, bowl, or a pot in warm soapy water. You only need to fill your vessel with tap water and add soap. You can also add disinfectors like dilute Dettol to make your anti-bacterial army stronger.
It’s also recommended to wash your toys if you use it in different parts of your body. Don’t put the toy that you used in your anus in the vagina and vice versa. Have a different toy for oral sex, as well. The germs that don’t spread in the vagina might do it in the mouth or anus. So, be careful!
If your friends keep asking you for toys, ask them to buy their own ones. You never know who used it and whether this person is 100% healthy. That is why learn to say no and start caring about your genital hygiene to use sex toys with pleasure.
Don’t be afraid to use lube when you’re having sex with a toy. This way you’ll avoid hard friction inside the vagina or anus. Your toy sex will become better in 100 times. Don’t thank me and good luck!