# Best way to wash sex toys? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 31, 2006, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913 "2006-08-31T13:13:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2006, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913/21 "2006-08-31T19:38:08Z")
[QUOTE=FormerMarineGuy] Brush your teeth? [/QUOTE] Yes, if you’re doing anything oral down there. And use an oral antiseptic, like chlorhexidine. Don’t automatically assume the toys are the problem. ---
**Author:** ![flex727](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/258eb7/32.png) [@flex727](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flex727)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2006, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913/22 "2006-08-31T20:00:48Z")
[QUOTE=panache45] Yes, if you’re doing anything oral down there. And use an oral antiseptic, like chlorhexidine. Don’t automatically assume the toys are the problem. [/QUOTE] Exactly my point, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![35340](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/8baadc/32.png) [@35340](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/35340)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2006, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913/23 "2006-08-31T20:17:28Z")
Depending on the materials in/on the toys, a 50% water + vinegar solution is also an excellent anti-bacterial cleaner that is not unkind to nether regions in reasonable amounts. Also works on your oral care equipment. However, if your use/cleaning is frequent, you might consider after that wash then rinsing them again in known clean water (boiled and cooled - I know I have the nasty bugs in my water heater right now that make the water smell like sulphur and I boil all water we use, pretty much, or use a vinegar solution in the loads or when washing. Probably over-kill. but it’s my week to nest for the impending Special Delivery.). Oral - if you don’t like commercial mouth washes, do a search on the right mix of water and hydrogen peroxide to use as a mouth rinse. And change your tooth brushes every three months, and or after an illness. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2006, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913/24 "2006-08-31T21:14:15Z")
I just wanted to stick my head in here to chuckle at the Google Ads I’m seeing here: Two of them are for “Tucson Carpet Cleaning”. ---
**Author:** ![FormerMarineGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/65b543/32.png) [@FormerMarineGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FormerMarineGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2006, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913/25 "2006-08-31T21:45:44Z")
So what I am getting here is I should fill my dishwasher with vinegar, alcohol, soap, and sterilizing gel, throw the toys in there, turn the hot water on, and BAM, no more UTI’s? ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2006, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913/26 "2006-09-01T01:28:53Z")
[QUOTE=FormerMarineGuy] So what I am getting here is I should fill my dishwasher with vinegar, alcohol, soap, and sterilizing gel, throw the toys in there, turn the hot water on, and BAM, no more UTI’s? [/QUOTE] Not only that but your drinking glasses will be spot-free 😃 Here’s what the folks at Good Vibrations have to say: > **[Sexual Health and Product Info - Toy Care - Good Vibrations | Good Vibrations](https://www.goodvibes.com/content/c/Sex-Toy-Material-Cleaning/)** > > Sex Toy Info - How to Clean and Care for your Sex Toys. Good Vibes is a women friendly sex toy store with quality products and discreet shipping. . Good Vibrations - Promoting Women trusted sexual health and pleasure with quality sex toys, top rated... ---
**Author:** ![sexpertnewyork69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@sexpertnewyork69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sexpertnewyork69)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2017, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913/27 "2017-09-22T05:14:54Z")
> [@Valgard](#): > > Not only that but your drinking glasses will be spot-free 😃 > > Here’s what the folks at Good Vibrations have to say: > > [http://www.goodvibes.com/Content.aspx?id=739&leftMenu=2&lr=y](http://www.goodvibes.com/Content.aspx?id=739&leftMenu=2&lr=y) Agreed with the link by good vibrations! ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2017, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913/28 "2017-09-22T05:57:23Z")
I’ve always washed toys with hot soapy water, in addition to using condoms. Yes condoms. Buy the really big ones, and cover the whole dildo/vibrator like a loaf of bread in a bag. Makes clean up easier. Pros: You get to buy HUGE condoms She gets to choose colors/ textures ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2017, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913/29 "2017-09-22T06:17:21Z")
Do 11-year-old zombies use sex toys? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2017, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913/30 "2017-09-22T06:34:49Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Do 11-year-old zombies use sex toys? > > 😃 Of course not. You have to be at least 18 in most states to enter a sex-toy shop. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2017, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913/31 "2017-09-22T13:33:22Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > Of course not. You have to be at least 18 in most states to enter a sex-toy shop. Brilliant response. In less than 20 minutes. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2017, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913/32 "2017-09-22T13:40:47Z")
Soap and water, and then I spray with rubbing alcohol and allow to dry - this is what I was taught for cleaning stuff for waxing. Never had an issue. You can also buy cleaners from the same shops you buy toys, but generally it’s a combination of antibacterial soap and distilled water. I used to sell a lot of toys, this is what I would recommend. For toys that can’t be immersed, carefully wash with soap and water, follow with the alcohol spray. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2017, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913/33 "2017-09-22T13:51:19Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Do 11-year-old zombies use sex toys? I donno, but there is probably manga of that. ---
**Author:** ![JHBoom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/13edae/32.png) [@JHBoom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JHBoom)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2017, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913/34 "2017-09-22T14:39:56Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Do 11-year-old zombies use sex toys? > > 😃 > [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I donno, but there is probably manga of that. As always, Rule 34. Someone else will have to provide a cite, though. \*\*\* Green = sarcasm \*\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2017, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913/35 "2017-09-22T14:56:52Z")
> [@BobBitchin](#): > > I’ve always washed toys with hot soapy water, in addition to using condoms. Yes condoms. My missus and I don’t use toys all that often, so I don’t have a lot of personal experience to share, sadly. But I note that condoms are often used with sex toys in porn. Hopefully the OP has found a workable solution in the 11 years since he first asked ths question. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2017, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913/36 "2017-09-22T16:25:56Z")
> [@Raguleader](#): > > I just wanted to stick my head in here I hope you’ve shampooed recently. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2017, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913/37 "2017-09-22T16:37:11Z")
I just put the used ones on Craigs list… ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2017, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913/38 "2017-09-22T17:18:47Z")
There once was a man named Raheem Who invented a fucking machine It was concave and convex It could please either sex But oh what a bitch to clean. ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913/39 "2017-09-22T17:46:24Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > \ But I note that condoms are often used with sex toys in porn. > \ That exactly where I got the idea.🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Goob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@Mr.Goob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Goob)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913/40 "2017-09-23T03:30:58Z")
I don’t normally do drive by posts but, Good Og, I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-wash-sex-toys/370913.md?page=1)