Sex Toy Care & Maintenance

You may already know about giving tender loving to your new toy, but we can help you learn the “caring” part. Sex toys can last a long time and give you months to years of pleasure if you treat them right. People often regret that a toy breaks or wears out too quickly, but ignore the care and maintenance of toys while they are not being used.

Some general rules that always help toys survive a long, active life:

• Take batteries out of any toy not in use.
• Clean toys soon after use (do not kick under bed.)
• If something is not designed for that, don’t do it.
• Store your toys in a safe place so they don’t become pet toys.

Cleaning depends on what it’s made of. . .

Silicone dildos without motors can be sterilized by boiling for 3 minutes, washed or even put in the dishwasher to clean. These toys are non-porous and great for people with latex allergies and other sensitivities. Keep in mind that if your silicone toy has a motor, that motor should not be submerged in water when cleaning.

Plastic and Acrylic toys can be wiped clean with rubbing alcohol for a bacteria-free surface. Remember that some plastic toys can become scratched easily, and the surface may acquire nooks and crannies. These nooks and crannies can acquire bacteria, so use condoms.

Glass and Metal toys feel fabulous, don’t they? This is because they are absolutely and utterly smooth. The surfaces can be easily cleaned to remove all bacteria. Simply wipe with rubbing alcohol or wash with soap and water. Don’t drop when wet.

Any toy made of jelly rubber is porous and cannot be sterilized once used. If you’re sharing toys, always use a condom on rubber toys. Store rubber toys by themselves, as their material may react to other rubbers and plastics. This is because the material is less stable, cheaper and of suboptimal quality.

Rubber toys sometimes contain latex. While some toys on our site are made of rubber, all our toys are phthalate-free. Phthalates are a rubber softener used in manufacturing that is a carcinogen if absorbed in large amounts. Any person with chemical sensitivities or latex allergies should avoid jelly rubber.

So why do we carry rubber toys?

Rubber is still the most prevalent material used to make sex toys, often making rubber toys the most affordable options for customers. The adult industry is unfortunately unregulated, so the research is still very new in the safety of sex toys. Fortunately, the industry is improving thanks largely to people that demand safer sex toys.

If you seek less expensive toys, look for elastomer and phthalate-free rubber options. Elastomer toys do not contain phthalates, but are often high quality bargains.

Keep in mind, Self Serve carries only bodysafe sex toys, and NONE of our toys contain phthalates! Read more about phthalates and how Self Serve celebrates earth day every day. Learn more about toxins from the

Coalition Against Toxic Toys.