First, it is important to understand that
uncleaned toys can transmit STD's and viruses. If you have any kind
of vaginatis or other medical problem, you can end up re-infecting yourself
if you do not keep anything that comes in contact with your body absolutely
clean and germ free. Adult Toys and other aids will last a lot longer
if they are maintained properly. Here are some things you need to
know about their care and maintenance:
After Purchase:
Anything
you purchase should first be inspected to make sure there are no rough
edges. This is especially true of anything that is plastic.
If you find a rough seam it can easily be smoothed down with a nail file.
If there are instructions, make sure you read the manufacturers directions
and any tips they have about care and storage. If the product is
rubber you will probably want to let it air out so that any of the plastic
odors will dissipate. Always clean anything new before you use the
product. How you clean it will depend on the materials that the product
is manufactured from. Read our handy hints below.
For All Toy Usage:
If
you are going to share toys or use the same toy vaginally and anally, the
most reliable way to prevent the spread of any disease is to use a condom.
Using a condom prevents having to interrupt to wash up and also will substantially
reduce the risk of transmission. You can find lots of information
about condoms - read "Condom Sense" here!Even
if you are using a condom on the toy make sure that you clean it after
every use. Most toys and aids feel better when used with a lubricant
- but not all lubricants are the same and some can actually cause harm
- read "Getting The Lowdown On Lubes"here!
water-based lubricants are best with most toys.
Cleaning Solutions:
Antibacterial
soap and warm water is a must for cleaning toys. Any toy has come in contact
with blood, should be washed in soap and water and then soaked in
a solution of one part household bleach to nine parts water. Remember
to rinse well in clear water after to remove any of the cleaning residue.
There are also several commercial adult toy cleaning solutions that can
be purchased that have been specially formulated to kill all bacteria and
germs but preserve the life of the toys.
Cyberskin:
Cyberskin
is extremely sensitive and should be cleaned following use with warm water
and stored in a clean dry place. Be sure to read the manufacturers
instruction on how to care for these products.
Silicone:
Silicone
is a very durable material so it can be easily cleaned with soap and water,
boiling to disinfect will not harm it and it can even be placed on the
top rack of the dishwasher. Do make sure that the entire product
is silicone and that it does not have any plastic parts. Anything
that is on the device that is not silicone could be damaged and in this
particular case a cleaning with soap and water will be all that you can
do. Even though silicone is very durable it can crack and a crack
can lead to a tear, so be careful with nails and teeth when you are handling
silicone.
Storage:
No
matter what the material might be, leather, rubber, silicone, etc., moisture,
direct sunlight or excessive heat will cause damage. Any product
that has a battery should have the battery removed between usage to keep
them from corroding and also from accidentally turning on and running down
the batteries.
Latex:
It
is important to know that latex can be severely damaged by anything that
is oil or petroleum based. Latex is primarily used in condoms and
dental dams. Use only water-based products with latex (find latex
lubricants here), store anything latex away from
heat or direct sunlight and discard latex products after use.
Leather:
Leather
is a very difficult material to keep clean because of all the irregularities
of the material. To clean leather, first wash the edges with a strong
foaming cleaner and a brush, then wipe down all of the surfaces with hydrogen
peroxide and allow to dry. Follow this by using saddle soap for an
additional cleaning. The last process is using a leather conditioner
to restore it back to its natural finish. The leather conditioner
is an absolute must because without it the leather will begin to dry out
and crack. This process does not work on suede.
Rubber Dildos,
Plugs & Etc.:
Rubber
is a very porous material, so as previously discussed, the easiest way
to keep them clean is with a condom. Clean all rubber products after
use with soap and warm water. They need to also be rinsed well as
the left over soap residue can cause damage to the rubber and also irritate
the skin.
Vibrators:
There
are two types of vibrators - waterproof and non-waterproof. If you
own the waterproof variety then the vibrator can easily be cleaned with
soap and warm water. If the vibrator is not waterproof then you have
to be very careful not to get water in or around the motor or the batteries.
Don't ever immerse a non-waterproof vibrator in water. If it is the
hard plastic model, soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol to clean and
then let it dry and air out. Never use a non-waterproof vibrator
under water and don't take an electric vibrator near the bathtub or any
other body of water. It can cause electric shock just like any other
electrical appliance.
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