If you use sex toys, you want them to last as long as possible. Keeping your sex toys clean and storing them properly will help them continue to buzz and bring you pleasure, maintain their longevity, and protect your sexual health. Keep reading to learn how to store your sex toys, how to deal with sex toy batteries, and for advice answered by sexperts.
Before we get into your top questions about how to store sex toys, first we want to tell you why it’s so important. There may be aspects of your home you’ve never considered that affect your sex toys. According to sex educator Dirty Lola, there are three things you need to think about when storing your adult toys: dust, temperature, and accessibility. “If the space where you plan to store your toys is very dusty, you’ll want to make sure they’re stored in a container with a tight-fitting lid so that they stay dust-free. The last thing you want to do during sexy times is to have to wash off your dildo because it’s covered in dust,” she said in an interview.
But dust is just one factor to keep track of when it comes to sex toy cleaning and storage. According to Dirty Lola, it’s also equally important to make sure you store your toys in a cool, dry place. “High heat can cause some toy materials, such as thermoplastic rubber (TPR), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and certain plastics, to sweat or even melt. High heat and moisture can both cause your rechargeable toys to malfunction over time. So keep your toys away from heat sources and moist places in your home.”
Now that you understand why dust and temperature are so important, let’s turn to how to store your sex toys so they can last as long as possible. Stashing them any old place you can find, like on your bedside table next to your night cream, isn’t enough. “We all want to be able to grab our toys with ease, so finding a place to store them where they’ll be easy to reach and secure from prying eyes is important,” said Dirty Lola.
Q: Should I remove the batteries from my sex toys after using them?
A: Spencer’s advises removing the batteries from any sex toys that use them, and unplugging any plug-in toys after use. For battery-operated toys, you’ll not only extend the life of your batteries, you’ll ensure that your toys work for a longer period of time.
Q: How should I store my sex toys?
A: First of all, make sure you’re storing your sex toys according to the instructions on the package.
Next, Dirty Lola recommends a simple solution: putting your sex toys in a cloth or other bag to keep them away from the elements, and each other. “If you’re storing your sex toys in a bedside drawer, you may want to invest in toy storage bags. Toy storage bags keep your toys clean, are big enough to also store any charging cords or accessories, and, best of all, they hide toys from prying eyes.” Dirty Lola is a fan of toy cases for storing all your sexy and sex-related things together. They come in soft and hard versions and lots of different shapes and sizes. The most important thing to remember is to use one; in fact, not using a bag to store your sex toys is the biggest mistake people make, according to Dirty Lola. “Even if you only have one vibrator keeping it in a toy bag will keep it clean and safe from nosey folks,” she said.
Depending on how much space you have available, you can put them in an airtight container under your bed or in your closet. If you’re concerned about children, pets or others finding your sex toys, you’ll want to take extra care in making sure they’re hidden.
Q: Can I store my sex toys together?
A: No; you should always store your sex toys individually because some materials may interact with each other and destroy your sex toy. For the sake of your toys and your wallet, wrap or secure them separately according to their instructions, and then you can place them alongside each other in a drawer or storage container.
Q: Can I share my sex toys?
A: Yes, with some cautions. Sex toys can transmit bacteria, so if you’re sharing a sex toy with someone else, you need to keep that in mind. Always thoroughly clean your sex toys after each use, whether they’ve been used by you or by someone else. Dirty Lola said there are easy ways to safely share your sex toys. If they are made out of silicone, glass or metal, those materials can all be boiled for easy and effective cleaning. She also advised that you can use a diluted bleach solution to sterilize these silicone, glass or metal sex toys, noting that “this is especially handy for toys made out of these materials that have motors. If you have toys that aren’t made of silicone, glass, or metal and you’d like to share them be sure to cover them with a condom.” Spencer’s also carries a variety of sex toy cleaners.
Q: How long will my sex toys last?
A: How long your vibrator, dildo, or butt plug will last depends on the type of toy it is, the material and whether it’s battery operated.
Q: How do I know when it’s time to replace a sex toy?
A: Sadly, sex toys don’t last forever. “Anytime your sex toys get a nick or tear on the surface, it’s time for you to retire that toy. Even a small tear can harbor bacteria,” said Dirty Lola. She noted that if your adult toy is battery-operated, you should get rid of it if a battery ever explodes inside of it. For rechargeable sex toys, she said, “Once your toys stop holding their charge they’re at the end of their lifetime.”
Q: Which types of sex toys last the longest?
A: According to Dirty Lola, any sex toy made out of silicone or stainless steel that doesn’t have a motor “is going to last you a very long time.”
There’s our best advice about making sure your sex toys are clean and stored properly. Have any more questions? Contact Ask Jackie and out intimate support team by clicking here or email us at Intimate.Support@spencersonline.com or contact our Guest Services team at 800-762-0419 (option 4).
