Anal toys, by their very definition, spend a lot of time in one of the… least clean areas of the body. Don’t be embarrassed: our goal is to have fun however you see fit, as long as you do it safely.
That’s why we’ll show you exactly how to clean your anal toys. Whether it’s a butt plug, dildo, anal beads, or prostate massager, the best way to keep your butt healthy and your toys long-lasting is to clean them properly. Just follow the methods below and you will find a way that works for you.
Is your anal toy waterproof?
How you clean your anal toys will depend, first and foremost, on whether they are waterproof or not. This is especially true if it contains electronic parts, such as a vibrating anal plug gold prostate massager.
If you’re not sure if your anal toy is waterproof, the best way to check is to check the instruction or safety manuals that come with it. If you no longer have them or can’t find the answer, look it up online. sex toy storewhich should indicate if it is waterproof or not.
But it doesn’t end there! Not all waterproof toys are created equal: There are different levels of sex toy waterproofing:
- Submersible — This means that your anal toy is completely waterproof and can be submerged underwater without problems. You may also see this written as “100% waterproof”, “IPX7”, or “IPX8 waterproof”.
- Splash proof — This means your anal toy can survive a quick rinse under the tap, but should not be submerged or taken into the bathtub or shower. It may also be listed as “water resistant” or “IPX5 waterproof (or below).”
What is your anal toy made of?
The other thing to think about when looking for the best way to clean your anal toys is the materials they contain.
We tend to divide sex toy materials into two categories: porous and non porous.
Porous materials
Sex toys, and especially anal toys, are often made from porous materials. Unfortunately, they are not the safest materials to use.
“Porous” means that these materials contain microscopic holes in their surface that can trap harmful elements such as dirt, bacteria, fungi, viruses, and more. It may go without saying, but those things should not be placed near your body, especially inside it. That’s why many people like to cover their porous anal toys with a condom before inserting them.
Holes in porous materials also make toys very difficult to clean properly. The germs will remain inside the pores and you will not be able to heat them to the high temperatures necessary to sterilize them without destroying the material.
Porous materials you may encounter include:
- POLYVINYL CHLORIDE
- TPE/TPR
- Vinyl
- Gelatin
- Eraser
- Latex
- Silicone ‘blends’ (i.e. materials that are not 100% silicone)
Non-porous materials
Non-porous materials, on the other hand, are body safe and easy to clean. They do not have the same pores and instead have a smooth, sealed surface. That’s why here at Bedbible, we do our best to recommend anal toys made from safe, non-porous materials.
The most common non-porous materials for sex toys are:
- Silicone
- ABS plastic
- Glass
- Steel
Some, but not all, non-porous materials can be sterilized, but more on that below…
Best Ways to Clean Anal Toys
Soap and water
Good for: porous and non-porous materials, waterproof and splash-proof toys.
The truth is, cleaning most anal toys is actually very easy! All you need is soap and water.
Take a mild, unscented soap (not so moisturizing lavender scent) and lather your anal toy with a little water. You can use your hands or a soft cloth, just make sure you get into all the cracks and grooves. Once you’re done, rinse it off and dry it with a clean towel.
You can use this method with electronic toys like anal vibrators and anal thrustersas long as they are waterproof or splash-proof.
Avoid using tools like scouring pads or dish brushes, as they can damage the surface of your anal toy. Doing so will create scratches where germs will get trapped inside, which can hurt you and make it difficult to clean next time.
sex toy cleaner
Good for: porous and non-porous materials, all waterproof and non-waterproof toys.
The easiest alternative to regular soap and water is a specially formulated sex toy cleaner, such as this one from Sliquid. Most are available in the form of sprays, foams, gels or wipes.
To use them, simply follow the instructions on the package. This will usually involve applying them to your anal toy, leaving them on for a specific amount of time, and then rinsing or wiping them off. If you can, it’s better to rinse rather than wipe, as this ensures you’re removing the nasty stuff from the surface rather than just moving it around.
boil them
Good for: some non-porous materials, waterproof toys without electrical parts.
In addition to cleaning your anal toys in one of the ways above, you may have also heard of boiling them. boiling sex toys It’s actually less about cleaning them and more about disinfecting and sterilizing them.
There are several reasons why you may want to sterilize your anal toys, rather than simply cleaning them regularly. These include if…
- Several people are using the toy.
- You are worried about STIs.
- You haven’t used it in a long time.
- You didn’t buy it from a very trustworthy place and you want to disinfect it before using it.
Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as “boil non-porous toys and don’t boil porous ones!” Porous materials cannot be boiled without damaging them, but some non-porous materials, such as hard plastic (ABS), also melt at the high temperatures necessary to sterilize them. And of course, don’t boil any toys that contain electrical parts!
If you want to boil your anal toys, the process is pretty simple. Bring a large (clean) pot of water to a boil, without soap or other additives, and then soak your anal toys for 1 to 3 minutes. If you are boiling steel or glass toys, first place a washcloth in the pot or place them in a mesh laundry bag to protect them and the pot as they bounce around.
Dishwasher
Good for: some non-porous materials, waterproof toys without electrical parts.
Using a dishwasher It is another valid option if you want to sterilize your anal toys. It does the same thing (and requires the same precautions) as boiling them in a pot, but with a little less effort.
All you need to do is place your compatible anal toys on the top rack of your otherwise empty dishwasher. Don’t add detergent or soap, as it can leave a residue that you don’t want anywhere near your genitals later.
If your dishwasher has a “sanitizing” function, you can select and set it. Otherwise, use a cycle that lasts 5 to 10 minutes (no more is needed) and reaches at least 150ºF.
UV Storage Boxes
Good for: porous and non-porous materials, all waterproof and non-waterproof toys.
There is a growing buzz around UV storage boxes that kill bacteria and other germs on objects placed inside them. You can get them for phones, glasses and now sex toys (like this one from B-Vibe) — but do they really work?
Well, the biggest problem with UV sanitizers is that they can only “clean” the parts of toys that light can reach. Some anal toys have complex shapes and textures that can make it difficult for light to reach the entire toy. The other problem is that it’s unclear how well these boxes work and how much bacteria they actually kill.
If you want to use one, I would always recommend cleaning your toys first with soap and water (or a sex toy cleaner). They can be an additional step in your cleaning process, but should not replace manual surface cleaning.
How to keep your anal toys clean
This way, your anal plugs and anal balls will be impeccably clean and germ-free. But how do you keep them that way?
For many people, store sex toys It means putting them on the nightstand or sock drawer, away from prying eyes and sticky fingers. However, simply storing them loose can undo all the hard work you put into cleaning them.
Ideally, your anal toys should come with a storage bag, pouch or box in which you can store them. These keep them away from dust and dirt so they stay fresh the next time you need them. You’re not always so lucky, but they can be purchased quite cheaply and often come in different sizes, such as these from Lovehoney. Avoid using things like Ziploc bags to store your sex toys, as they are not breathable at all.
You should also try to store each toy separately, to prevent them from colliding with each other and damaging the material they are made of. For anal toys made of PVC and other porous materials, keeping them stored together can even cause them to melt and fuse together.
How often should you clean your anal toys?
You should clean your anal toys immediately after each use. I know it can be annoying when all you really want to do is enjoy post-orgasm pleasure, but it’s vitally important. Cleaning your anal toys quickly and thoroughly is the best way to keep them fresh and safe to use, and it will also help them last longer!
If you want, you can also quickly clean them before using them. If you’ve stored them correctly, they should stay clean, but a quick rinse can remove anything they may have picked up during their downtime.