Are Sex Toys Safe?

Sex toys can give pleasure in many ways, but are they safe to use? Here are a few points to keep in mind when having fun with toys.

Wetter Is Better

When you use a vibrator or dildo for penetration, you are inserting a foreign object into your vagina. Since the vagina is a sensitive environment, you want to make sure your toy is clean (more on that later) and slick. A toy will require a little more slipperiness than a “real” penis, so use a good lube! Water-based lubricants are ideal, providing the best wetness with the least side effects, and they are most like our body’s own lubricant. Silicone-based lubes are waterproof and perfect for playing with toys in the shower. Minimizing friction will also minimize irritation to the sensitive vaginal walls and maximize pleasure.

When engaging in ‘back door’ activity, you definitely should lubricate your sex toy. Unlike the vagina, the anus has no lubrication of its own at all, therefore it is important to lube your anal beads, dildo or vibrator before inserting.

Sex toys for him will benefit from lube as well. The penis has soft, sensitive skin. If you are using a C-ring (cock ring) for increased pleasure, make sure to lube it up, or pleasure will turn into pain. And with lubrication, a pocket pussy will become a feast of orgasmic sensation for a man. Without it – eh – not so much.

Keep It Clean
Removing sticky lube and bodily juices from sex toys is easy. There are cleaning products specifically designed for adult toys that get the job done without leaving any residue. A squeaky clean toy makes for a happy vagina. A dirty toy can lead to infections, irritations, discharge and other unpleasantries such as actual diseases. You don’t have a sex toy cleaner? Use hot water and some elbow grease. Regular soap will leave an irritating film on your toy and also corrode the material it is made of.

Dildos and anal beads can be immersed in hot water and if made of silicone, even put in the dishwasher. Please do not attempt this with battery operated toys!
Before each use of your sex toy, clean with a moist cloth or adult toy cleaner. During storage it might have picked up a bacterium or two. Store your toys in a designated place, keep them dry and preferably in a plastic storage bag.

If you’ve had a toy for a while, examine it for splits or holes in the material where bacteria can hide. It might be time to retire Old Faithful and get a new toy.
A fail-safe way to keep your toy clean is to use a condom! When you are finished, roll it off and throw it away! You are left with a clean sex toy. A condom is particularly recommended when using your toy for anal pleasures. If you do not use a condom, then designate a toy especially that activity.

As a general rule, it’s not a fabulous idea to share sex toys, but if you do, by all means, use a condom on them.

You’ve heard the saying “practice safe sex” – now you know how to apply that to your sex toys as well!