Safer Sex Toys and How to Clean Them

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"Only Double A but I'm thinking Triple X" -Peaches

When it comes to sex toys, running out of batteries isn't the only thing you should be worried about. Savage Love podcast (episode 304) reports that if you're using a sex toy there is no guarantee that you're having safe sex. See, there are ZERO regulations on the materials that are used to make sex toys.

In 2006, the Coalition Against Toxic Toys sent a variety of sex toys from some of the largest manufacturers to an independent chemical testing lab in California to determine what they were made of. Surprise, surprise: Many of the sex toys contained toxic chemicals like phthalates and other plasticizers.

Good news: There are safe sex toys and the coalition created a shopping guide to help consumers identify them. They suggest seeking toys made from non porous materials like: "100% silicone from a reputable manufacturer (some manufacters just claim their products are made with silicone), glass, surgical steel, sealed ceramic, and medical-grade plastics."

Below are instructions on how to clean sex toys adapted from Brown University Sexual Health website. To green your cleaning, I recommend using diluted Dr. Bronner's with tea tree oil added to it as an antibacterial soap and using hydrogen peroxide or a non-chlorine bleach to soak toys.* 

For basic electric toy care, remove any batteries. Use common sense and never submerge electrical or vibrating components in water. Use a damp, soapy washcloth to clean your electric toys, preferably with antibacterial soap.

Glass: Wash glass toys with soap and water. Pyrex toys are dishwasher safe. Do not expose glass to extreme temperatures.

Stainless Steel: If there are no electrical components you have 3 options: Boil or soak in a bleach-water solution (50:50 ratio) for 10 minutes, or place it in the dishwasher.

Hard Plastic: Clean with antibacterial soap and water. Do not boil. Silicone: You can choose from 3 options to clean a silicone toy. Either boil for 5-10 minutes, put it in your dishwasher (on top rack), or wash with antibacterial soap and warm water.

*I am a blogger not a doctor. While this is the best information I have available to me, please use this information at your own risk.

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