According to sex toy statistics from Statistics Brain, 44% of women between the ages of 18 and 60 have used a sex toy. Also, 12% of women masturbate with a sex toy at least once a week.
With these figures, it is clear that sex toys are quite popular and that a conversation needs to be had concerning their proper usage.
How many people are actually taking proper care of their toys? Without proper care, a good thing can easily turn into a very bad thing. The same way you wouldn’t want a filthy toothbrush in your mouth for obvious reasons is the same way you shouldn’t have a poorly maintained toy come anywhere near your body.
Some individuals have utter faith in the safety of using a sex toy. They believe that with toys they are at less risk of contracting a pesky STI or a scary STD. While this belief isn’t false, it is also not entirely true. If a toy isn’t properly washed and stored after each use, it’s very possible that its owner might contract any of the following upon next usage;
The risk of contracting bacterial vaginosis is especially increased if owners of sex toys share them with other people. Sharing a sex toy without taking appropriate precautions is just as bad as having unprotected sex with a variety of strangers. It is for this reason you need to keep sex toys clean all the time by washing them immediately after use (just to be safe, you probably should wash it again before next use).
Taking further preventive measures such as covering your penetrative sex toys with a fresh condom before use is also a great way to avoid contracting any of the following; hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV. Love Shack Boutique advises that those who share toys are better off having more than one – one for personal use and others for sexual partners.
Also, some soft rubber toys are built from using phthalates. This might be a bad thing because the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suspects phthalates contain possible human carcinogens. There’s also the issue of toys made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or jelly rubber being more porous and thus being able to hide bacteria from a simple wash. This means when purchasing a toy, one must also consider how easy it will be to clean. Toys made from silicone or steel, are usually much sterile and easier to clean.
Usually, the best way to clean a particular toy is stated on the packaging. But just in case you missed it and already threw out the box, you can use the following instructions concerning cleaning various toys.
- Motorised toys that are made of silicone, glass, wood, or stainless steel, can be washed with an easy soap and a damp cloth. No need to submerge in water and be sure to properly dry it.
- Non-motorised toys made from Pyrex, silicone, steel, or stone, can be submerged and washed in boiling water, or cleaned in a dishwasher.
- Toys made from Cyberskin should be washed with little soap and warm water. Be gentle because rough handling might damage the material.
- Toys made from elastomer, hard plastic, thermoplastic elastomer, or jelly rubber are toughest to clean because of their porous nature. Wash with soap and water, and be sure to place a condom over it before using.
On a final note, be sure to take batteries out of your motorised toy after use. Also, after cleaning, store your toy in a safe and sterile place. If the toy didn’t come with a dust bag, you can store it in a clean cloth bag or wrap it in a clean cloth.
It’s good to have fun, but it’s better if you are safe while having a good time.
