Adult toys are a staple part of many people’s bedroom activities, but not everybody realizes the precautions that need to be taken when using adult toys, especially when sharing toys with a partner. Everyone’s taught that sharing is important, but when it comes to adult toys you need to be extra careful because there are certain risks that exist, which we’ll be covering in this article. We’re going to focus on the things you should know about adult toys and STDs, tips for cleaning your toys, and some general safety tips to keep in mind as well.
Can You Get An STD From A Sex Toy?
There is a popular misconception that you can’t get an STD without actual contact with another person, but that’s not true. You can, in fact, contract a sexually transmitted disease from using a sex toy. This is a result of sharing the toy, the toy isn't going to give you an STD on its own but if it has been previously used by someone who is carrying an infection, then it’s possible for the toy to transmit said infection. Remember that just because a sex toy is an inanimate object, that doesn't mean that bacteria and diseases can’t still exist on it. You can read tips on how to reduce the STD risks of sharing adult toys here.
How To Prevent STDs When Using Sex Toys
The precautions that you must take in order to keep things safe when using sex toys with partners are the same precautions you would take if you were having intercourse or direct sexual contact with somebody. Simply put a condom on the toy before the first partner uses it, and replace the condom anytime that the toy is transferred between partners. By doing so, there is no chance of the toy coming into contact with an STD and passing it onto the other partner, since the toy is protected by the condom.
Other Times to Use A Condom With Adult Toys?
Should you only use a condom on an adult toy when you’re trying to prevent diseases? No, there are certain sex toys that you should always be covering with a condom, and those are ones that are made from rubber, latex, and jelly. We’ll be talking about how to properly clean these toys in a moment, but the best thing to do is to cover them up because bacteria can thrive inside tiny little pores that exist in these materials.
Cleaning Adult Toys Properly
You should be washing your toys before and after each use. Wash them before you use them, and wash them again before putting them away. There are several methods to properly clean an adult toy and the one you follow will depend on what the toy is made out of. First, we’ll take a look at how to clean toys that are made out of rubber, latex and jelly. Next, we’ll look at how to properly clean toys made from glass and harder plastics.
Cleaning Rubber, Latex & Jelly Adult Toys
Toys made from these materials can be cleaned using warm water and antibacterial soap, and this should be done immediately after each use.
Cleaning Glass, Acrylic & Hard Plastic Adult Toys
These types of toys can also be cleaned with soap and water, but wiping them with rubbing alcohol will yield the most effective results.
In Conclusion…
In conclusion, adult toys can be a lot of fun but you've got to play according to the rules. Keep them clean, and always practice safe sex – even when you’re only using toys and not having any direct contact with your partner.