Why the hype?
Published: December 8, 2008
somewhat useful review
This toy cleaner does its job well enough, but I'd personally rather continue washing most of my toys with soap and water. I'll use the cleaner for non-waterproof toys and to spruce up certain toys, but definitely not to regularly clean all of them.
Pros:
Non-offensive smell, very cheap, good for non-waterproof toys.
Cons:
Doesn't clean crevasses of toys, toys have to dry after applying it, can't see where I'm wiping.
I have been, until now, a slave to the sink. After each session—sometimes right after, sometimes an hour later—I would carry my used toys to the bathroom, carefully wash each toy individually, dry it, and put it back in its case. It's a bit time-consuming, but I have to do it, and it leaves my toys squeaky clean.
I've now tried the Before & After Toy Cleaner, and... I will still be washing most of my toys in the sink. With good old soap and water. Why? Because, quite simply, soap and water do it better.
Now, it is important for me to mention that my body leaves behind a significant amount of gunk when I use my toys. Especially with penetrative toys, there's always a good amount of stuff to wash off. I also have some insanely long masturbation sessions where I'll go through 4-6 toys. Actually, now I'm not sure why that's relevant, but oh well.
Quick overview, in case you haven't read reviews of this cleaner before. Before & After comes in a handy spray bottle, with a label that looks a little less '90s than the picture here on Eden suggests. I have the 4 oz. bottle, which is probably going to last me a thousand years. Others have mentioned that the fragrance is reminiscent of grapes. The smell reminds me of grape-flavored gum, but the smell really isn't offensive at all (and I hate the smell of fake grapes). You spray it on your toys, wipe it off, and call it good.
The point is, I found this cleaner to be insufficient when dealing with toys with texture and crevasses. I have a glass dildo that is very prominently ribbed, and there was no way I could clean the tiny spaces between the ribs. The cleaner inevitably dried there without being wiped off. Also, because I have to use a towel to wipe it off, I can't see where I'm wiping, so I can't pay closer attention to especially gunky areas. For that reason, cleaning each toy with the cleaner ended up taking more time than it would in the sink.
I did notice that my Xtreme Bullet seemed softer the next day. I didn't notice anything else different with other toys.
I plan to use this cleaner for toys I shouldn't put under running water (the Delight and Bo cock ring come to mind), and perhaps to spruce up rubber-cote once in a while. I might use it on my toys after I wash them with soap and water. Other than that, I don't really understand the hype over toy cleaners. Maybe soap and water has brainwashed me.
I've now tried the Before & After Toy Cleaner, and... I will still be washing most of my toys in the sink. With good old soap and water. Why? Because, quite simply, soap and water do it better.
Now, it is important for me to mention that my body leaves behind a significant amount of gunk when I use my toys. Especially with penetrative toys, there's always a good amount of stuff to wash off. I also have some insanely long masturbation sessions where I'll go through 4-6 toys. Actually, now I'm not sure why that's relevant, but oh well.
Quick overview, in case you haven't read reviews of this cleaner before. Before & After comes in a handy spray bottle, with a label that looks a little less '90s than the picture here on Eden suggests. I have the 4 oz. bottle, which is probably going to last me a thousand years. Others have mentioned that the fragrance is reminiscent of grapes. The smell reminds me of grape-flavored gum, but the smell really isn't offensive at all (and I hate the smell of fake grapes). You spray it on your toys, wipe it off, and call it good.
The point is, I found this cleaner to be insufficient when dealing with toys with texture and crevasses. I have a glass dildo that is very prominently ribbed, and there was no way I could clean the tiny spaces between the ribs. The cleaner inevitably dried there without being wiped off. Also, because I have to use a towel to wipe it off, I can't see where I'm wiping, so I can't pay closer attention to especially gunky areas. For that reason, cleaning each toy with the cleaner ended up taking more time than it would in the sink.
I did notice that my Xtreme Bullet seemed softer the next day. I didn't notice anything else different with other toys.
I plan to use this cleaner for toys I shouldn't put under running water (the Delight and Bo cock ring come to mind), and perhaps to spruce up rubber-cote once in a while. I might use it on my toys after I wash them with soap and water. Other than that, I don't really understand the hype over toy cleaners. Maybe soap and water has brainwashed me.
This product was provided at a discounted price in exchange for an unbiased review. This review is in compliance with the
FTC guidelines.
Forum
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Before & After Toy Cleaner...
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RedHotHippieChickThis one got lots of great reviews, but I've got a couple of questions for all you reviewers who use this. The description says you have to "spray, wipe, then rinse" but most of the reviews say no rinsing required. Can you guys confirm there's no residue if you don't rinse? One review mentioned it didn't clean the crevices of textured toys well. Anyone else have that experience? Would you say it replaces the soap & water routine completely? -
EpiphoraNah, it doesn't replace soap and water, in my opinion. It may be because I've used soap and water for so long, but I just don't see the benefit to spraying something and then wiping it off. I find the cleaner hard to wipe off on toys w/ texture, and maybe I'm nuts, but then I don't feel like a toy is really clean. It would do in a pinch, but I don't mind soap and water so that's what I go for 90% of the time. -
Adriana RavenlustI like the the idea of toy cleaner but I always wondered what exactly you wipe down with? What's a good cloth for that?
29 posts Read all -
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Sex forum




Thanks for the helpful review!
I mostly use toy cleaner for the convenience. I'm in a dorm with a community bathroom right now, so cleaning stuff in the sink it's really an option. I do, on occassion, take waterproof toys in to the shower stall with me for a cleaning.
There's also the issue I have that soap and water doesn't seem like "enough" for more porous materials. Even when I use a condom, I feel like I have to squirt some toy cleaner on it to keep it clean and fresh.
Personally, I prefer boiling toys, if it's at all possible. I actually boiled my rainbow mega nubby in the community kitchen yesterday; it was pretty priceless.