Toy Beginner - How to clean silicone, specifically?

Contributor: Intrepid Niddering Intrepid Niddering
I'm an absolute beginner to toys. I just bought my first ones on Tuesday. Now, I've bought a few silicone toys and one glass. Everything I have found has said to clean silicone toys with unscented, antibacterial hand soap. I tried looking around my grocery store, and there wasn't any sort of unscented hand soap to be found. I'm also aware of the boiling toys and bleach solution options available. I'd like to avoid the bleach if I could.

Now. Everything I've found has been very general. "Soap and water." Okay. What -kind- of soap? And by "kind," I'd really like it if you could tell me specifically what product you use and has worked for you. (I'm a worrier, so it's in my nature to want to know specifics.)

As for boiling, can you boil multiple toys at once? I know I'm not supposed to store silicone toys together, so am I not supposed to boil them together as well? And if I shouldn't boil them together, should I use a different pot for each toy? (Or, at least, clean the pot between toys?)

I know this is rather wordy. I -really- appreciate any help you could give me. Thank you!
08/19/2012
  • Save Extra 50% On Sexobot Attachment
  • Upgrade Your Hands-Free Play!
  • Complete strap-on set for extra 15% off
  • Save 50% On Shower Nozzle With Enema Set
  • Enjoy 50% Off Selected Items
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
All promotions
Contributor: GingerAnn GingerAnn
Other helpful discussions on Beginner Dildo:

Best Beginner Rope Bondage Book
I was wondering what opinions are around here for the best book for an absolute (but enthusiastic!) beginner couple at rope bondage to read. Safety...

Best flogger for beginner?
Hi, I've been interested in getting a flogger for a while now. Any suggestions for a beginner?

Would this be good for beginners?
Would this be ok for someone who's never tried glass before?

Gifts for Beginners
What is the best ype of dildo to get for a beginner, whose only a friend, so you wont be there to help them use it?

beginner?
all right so i'm a noob and i'm looking for my first toy something in the 10-40$ range that's pretty quiet any suggestions?
08/19/2012
Contributor: Kindred Kindred
Quote:
Originally posted by Intrepid Niddering
I'm an absolute beginner to toys. I just bought my first ones on Tuesday. Now, I've bought a few silicone toys and one glass. Everything I have found has said to clean silicone toys with unscented, antibacterial hand soap. I tried looking ... more
Welcome to EF!

In general, there are two levels of cleaning you can perform. Boiling and a 10% bleach solution will kill the majority of potential pathogens that might be on your toy. Many people will refer to this as sterilization, but it technically isn't. However, it is sufficient for most of our toy needs. It's generally recommend you perform one of these more effective cleaning methods between uses if you share toys or go from anal to vaginal. It's also a good idea to do it every now and then to give your toy a good cleaning.

You can boil multiple silicone toys at once if you have a large enough pot and you don't need to use a different pot for each. Many people recommend storing silicone toys separately because silicone can potentially react with one another. However, many people store silicone toys (100%) together without any problems. You also do not need to clean the pot between uses.

For more routine cleaning, you can simply use soap and water or a toy cleaner. You can use any hand soap to clean your silicone toys. We use one of the liquid in a pump bottle varieties. There is no specific brand you need to use. Anything you can safely wash your hands with will work. It also doesn't have to be unscented, but the silicone may retain some of the fragrance so that may impact what you use. Any soap or toy cleaner that is "antibacterial" typically should be applied and left to stand for a few minutes before rinsing off to allow it to work properly.

You will also read that the top rack of a dishwasher can be used to sterilize toys. This is incorrect. Dishwashers do not reach a temperature close to boiling and is really no different than hand washing.

Hope this has been helpful and you enjoy your new toys!
08/19/2012
Contributor: Ryuson Ryuson
Wow, Kindred did a great job answering this one! The only thing that I have left to add is that you can also pick up an Antibacterial Toy Cleaner. I prefer the foaming system JO one because you just wipe it on and then rinse it off for a few seconds.

It's just as effective as an antibacterial hand or dish soap, but they're specifically designed not to leave residues or harmful scents after washing your toy off. Hope we were able to help!
08/19/2012
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
Welcome to Eden and congratulations on buying your first toys! You picked 2 of my favorite materials to buy too - silicone and glass. I also want to commend you for wanting to take good care of your toys. Silicone and glass toys can last you for years with proper care.

There's nothing left to really add, Kindred did a great job of explaining how to clean your toys.

I simply use whichever type of hand soap is currently in the bathroom to wash my toys. I usually lather them up 2 times - the first time gets off the major stuff, and then a second time to make sure I got all the nooks and crannies and there's nothing hiding from me still on there. A quick dry with a lintless towel and they're done!

Last year I did a major toy boil, where I boiled everything I owned that would stand up to it. That was fun!

Enjoy your toys!
08/19/2012
Contributor: Sodom and Gomorrah Sodom and Gomorrah
Quote:
Originally posted by Ryuson
Wow, Kindred did a great job answering this one! The only thing that I have left to add is that you can also pick up an Antibacterial Toy Cleaner. I prefer the foaming system JO one because you just wipe it on and then rinse it off for a few ... more
Thanks ryuson! I didn't about about the rinsing off part. I thought you let it dry with the antibacterial stuff on it.
08/19/2012
Contributor: ToyGeek ToyGeek
Basically, there isn't any soap that will hurt the silicone toy, but you want to keep your cleaning option body friendly. I use whatever soap happens to be in my bathroom, and then rinse in alternating hot and cold water to be sure all residue is gone. Soap isn't good for the lady bits, and scented soap is even worse. But so long as you rinse really well, it's all fine.
08/19/2012
Contributor: Intrepid Niddering Intrepid Niddering
Thank you so much, Kindred, Ryuson, Indiglo, and ToyGeek!

I really appreciate all the information you guys gave me and the time you took to help. I feel a lot more confident now in taking care of my new toys, so thank you guys so very much.

Oh, and thank you guys for welcoming me to the site! :]
08/19/2012