A healthy sex life can be achieved by practicing safe sex all the time. Although you can still observe safer sex without sex toys, these devices can help you avoid the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases like HIV.
According to a study, 3 out of 4 Americans have dildos in their homes. That’s roughly around 70% of the total population. Moreover, around 78% of women and 64% of men use other forms of sex toys. When it comes to age bracket, people who are aging 30 and older tend to use sex toys more than younger adults.
While it’s true that most Americans are using sex toys, it only goes to show that a lot want to have added pleasure while having sex. Moreover, it doesn’t matter if you have a treasure trove of stimulators, vibrators, or the best dildos— the first thing you must consider is to take care and clean them. Below are helpful ways on how to properly sanitize and clean your sex toys.
Clean Them Frequently
It may be a no-brainer, but many people using sex toys forget to clean these things regularly. Treat your sex toys as a valuable personal item you have, which needs regular cleaning. Often, people who are inexperienced with such things set aside these goodies right away after use without even cleaning them.
It is essential to wash your dildos, vibrators, and other sex toys every day. Washing them daily is like going to a bathroom to freshen-up. To clean your sex toys, you must use soap and warm water. Don’t attempt to use alcohol or hand sanitizers as this contains harsh chemicals that might damage them.
Inspect Them Regularly for Damage
There are many types of sex toys you can find in the market. Some are cheap, while others are expensive. Aside from that, the cheaper ones may come in lower quality, and the most expensive ones may last longer. No matter what type of sex toys you have, you must check them all the time to see if it’s damaged.
For inexpensive sex toys, check to see if they’re a one time use only. Never use a sex toy for anything else unless stated by its manual or guide. These devices might come in harder plastics, which can splinter and crack when used too much.
When you still use your sex toys with damage on it, it may cause injuries to your genitals and other sensitive areas. Be sure to inspect your toys once a week to see if there are damages to it.
Apply the Right Lube
There are two main types of sex lubricants you can find. The first one is silicon-based lubricants. These lubes are a bit slippery, tasteless, and odorless. It can last long when in use and doesn’t need reapplication most of the time. However, they can be dangerous to realistic-skin sex toys because it damages them in a way that you need to scrub the sex toys harder to remove the residue, which can tear or break it.
The second type of lubricant is water-based. It is the most common lube to use in any type of sex toy since it can be removed easily. Apart from that, they do not cause stains on your bedsheets and are not too costly. So, whatever sex toys you have, it’s advisable to use water-based lubes.
Store Them Correctly
Remember that your sex toys are used for your genitals, and once it acquires dust and other types of grime and dirt, it might cause allergies and infection. Thus, you must place them in the proper storage. After using these sex toys and washing them, make sure to wipe it dry and put them in the correct case.
Secure a drawer or cabinet in your room where you can place these sex toys. Not only will you make these devices for safer use, but you’ll also keep them away from destruction and dirt. Also, if you do not regularly use your vibrators, remove the batteries to avoid corrosion, which can damage it.
Replace Them Accordingly
Whether you use your sex toys frequently or once in a blue moon, these devices need replacement at times. As mentioned, they can be susceptible to damage when not taken care of properly, and replacing them is the best remedy. Silicone-based sex toys can quickly fall apart, so consider getting a new one when you know it’s no longer usable.
Moreover, if you find out that your sex devices have holes in it, throw them right away and get a new one. These holes might be havens for STDs and other types of bacteria, which may cause severe infection. For shared sex toys used in multiple places, replace them as often as you can.
Keep Them Dry
You don’t want any mildew or mold forming in your sex toys as it can irritate your genitals upon using it. To avoid this, make sure that you keep them dry most of the time before storing them. Leaving any moisture in your sex devices when you store them allows mold, mildew, and even fungi to grow on your toys.
Aside from molds, moisture can also provide a healthy ground for bacteria to thrive. Once these bacteria develop on your toys, they can cause serious infection and other harmful diseases in your private areas.
Takeaway
Sex toys are personal items that need regular sanitation. The fact that it’s inserted directly into your genitals or other orifices means they invite bacteria that can compromise your hygiene. Apart from that, they are pricey, so they should get appropriately maintained to ensure their longevity.
Therefore, it doesn’t matter if you own a single-sex toy or tons of them. You must take care of them properly. Cleaning them all the time, inspecting for any damage, using the correct type of lube, replacing if needed, storing, and keeping them dry are the best ways to keep your sex toys safe and sound.
Author’s bio:
Belinda is a 42-year-old married mother of three who lives in Naples, Florida. While staying at home to raise her children, she began to write articles and blogs for various outlets. She was raised in a strict, Christian home, but has since found more peace with a more spiritual approach to life and health. A strong believer in natural and alternative medicine, energy healing, and total wellness, she stumbled on the health benefits of the female orgasm quite by accident. Since then, she has often written pieces that help inform others about the benefits she discovered. Belinda also enjoys taking care of her home and family, and often jokes that she is a bit of a Stepford wife… with a wild side. In her free time, she loves to spend time at the beach with her family, host parties and BBQ’s, and work outside in one of her many flower gardens.
