Sex Toy Spring Cleaning

The birds are chirping. The sun is warmer. So, it is time to do some spring cleaning. You know – that tradition of cleaning your home from top to bottom, even under the sofa cushions. 

But don’t forget that sex drawer! Yes- sex toys need some spring cleaning, too. Many of us don’t realize that we have to clean our toys regularly, not just after use. We also may not realize that it might be time to refresh our collection. 

Here are some tips on how to clean your sex toys, as well as a little "out with the old, in with the new."

Purge first!

Before you start cleaning, you might want to “take stock” of what you got. In true Mari Kondo fashion, consider picking up each toy/device/implement and ask yourself “does this bring me joy”? If you live with a partner or co-own the toy, make sure you do this process with them, as well. What a sexy spin on cleaning day!

If you haven’t used a toy in a while (or ever), ask yourself “why not?” Take it for a spin and really decide if it is something you want to keep in your sexy arsenal.

Sometimes we rely on the “old standards” to get us off and we ignore other possibilities of pleasure. If you invested money in a toy but haven’t used it yet, don’t fret. If it is a toy that can be used solo, set aside some time for self-pleasure and explore its possibilities. If it doesn’t float your boat, consider letting it go. (I suggest looking into sex toy recycling options – sometimes your local sex toy shop has a program.) You can look at this process like going sex toy shopping in your own home (which is fun since you can’t go shopping IRL right now, unless it is online).

Once you let the old go, it is time to clean!

Sex toy cleaning basics

How you wash your sex toys depends in large part on what they are made out of. If your toy is a vibrator, you have to consider whether it can be submerged due to electronic parts and power sources. Don’t dunk a toy in water if it has electronics! If you still have the box, check out the instructions on how to clean it. If you threw out the box, use the following guidelines.

My go-to sex toy expert is Javay da Bae. Check out her instructional video on sex toy cleaning for some top tips! Some of her top recommendations and tips are:

• Proper washing will extend the life span of your toys! Yay!

• Trying to figure out what soap to use to clean your toys? Take the guesswork out and consider using toy cleaner. (Both Javay and I prefer a foam-style cleaner, as the foam doesn’t run all over the place like regular liquid soap.)

• For silicone, glass, or stainless steel toys, you have the option of boiling them

• After cleaning your toys, let them air dry and keep them at room temperature

You also want to consider whether the toy is an “inny or an outy” – meaning is this toy going inside the body? For example, the anus or vagina or mouth? If so, you really need to be careful to properly clean the crevices and nooks and crannies that can house bacteria.

Check out this article on choosing a toy cleaner.

Once you have your toys cleaned, consider organizing them by activity and times of use. For example, if you use a toy drawer, or chest, consider putting the faves on top for easier access. Make sure wherever you store your toys, it is not damp or around any potential sources of dust. You can also use ziplock bags to individually house your toys and/or clean socks to cover your dildos!

Replenish your stock!

Now the fun starts! Once you did your due diligence and spring cleaned your toy box, it is time to celebrate by going shopping! Reward yourself with a new toy that lights up your libido.

The options abound these days. Want some magical clit stimulation? Try the Womanizer or check out the Lioness Vibrator.

Looking for some anal pleasure? Shop some fun prostate toys.

Want to work on your pelvic floor for better health and orgasms? Try the Yarlap.

And don’t forget to try some love oil.

Hop online and start shopping. It is a fun activity to do with a partner, as well. Try to imagine all the fun you will have. Consider BDSM implements or other things you might want to buy for fun role play scenarios. The sky is the limit! 

Spring is a time for renewal. If you are in quarantine, your toy collection can be a savior and help you keep your erotic exploration going with or without a partner at hand. Keeping your toys clean extends their life and makes your sexy time safe and fun!

FAQ: Sex Toy Spring Cleaning

• How often should I clean my sex toys?

  You should clean sex toys after every use. Additionally, it’s a good idea to deep clean or sanitize them regularly—especially if they haven’t been used in a while or are shared between partners.

• What’s the best way to clean my sex toys?

  The method depends on the material. Most non-porous toys like silicone, glass, or stainless steel can be washed with warm water and mild soap. Some can even be boiled. Use a toy-safe cleaner for extra care, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Can I use household cleaners or wipes on my toys?

  No—avoid bleach, alcohol, or harsh chemicals, as they can damage the material and irritate your body. Stick to toy-specific cleaners or gentle, fragrance-free soap and water

• How do I know when it’s time to throw away a sex toy?

  Signs it’s time to let go include discoloration, cracks, tears, strange odors, or if the material feels sticky or degraded. Battery-operated toys that no longer hold a charge may also be ready for retirement.

• Can sex toys be recycled?

  Some sex toys can be recycled, but it depends on the materials and your local facilities. Check with your local waste management, or research sex toy recycling programs through retailers or brands.

• How should I store my sex toys after cleaning?

  After cleaning and drying, store your toys in a cool, dry place. Use individual cloth bags, ziplock bags, or soft fabric like clean socks to avoid dust and material reactions between toys. Avoid plastic bins that can trap moisture.

• What’s the difference between porous and non-porous sex toys?

  Porous toys (like jelly rubber or certain plastics) can absorb bacteria and are harder to clean thoroughly. Non-porous toys (like silicone, glass, or stainless steel) are safer, easier to sanitize, and typically more body-safe.

• What should I consider when buying new toys after a cleanout?

  Think about what types of stimulation you enjoy, the materials you prefer, your budget, and any new sensations you'd like to explore. Look for body-safe materials and read reviews before buying. It's a great chance to refresh your pleasure toolbox!

How AI-Powered Prompts Can Help You Become a Better Dominant (Get our BONUS AI class)

(by head coach, Emily Anne)

In a Dominant/submissive (D/s) relationship, communication is the cornerstone of understanding and fulfilling each partner's desires and needs. Dominants play a pivotal role in guiding their submissives, but effective command and communication are key to a healthy and consensual D/s dynamic. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) now offer Dominants a unique tool to enhance their leadership skills within the D/s relationship. In this blog post, we will explore how AI can assist Dominants in creating better commands.

The Foundation of a D/s Relationship:

A D/s relationship is built upon trust, consent, and open communication. Dominants are responsible for providing guidance and structure while respecting the boundaries and well-being of their submissives. A major part of that guidance is via directives or commands. A dominant must lead the submissive where they desire them to go (and consensually).

Some dominants struggle with giving verbal commands, especially if they are new.

Learning how to give good commands is a skill, and one that can be taught.

The Art of Command:

Dominance in a D/s relationship involves more than just issuing orders; it requires effective and respectful command. Proper commands help establish the framework for the relationship, foster trust, and ensure the well-being of both partners.

The best way to learn how to give good commands - that will be followed and that will further bond your sub to you - is to practice speaking aloud what you want in a “vanilla” setting, such as “get Daddy his milkshake,” etc. If you want to learn how to give verbal and text commands that really work, check out our masterclass called The Art of Command. And for a special time, we will give you a BONUS 2 hour class: How to use AI to become a better dominant. Just purchase Art of Command and you will receive an email with a link to the bonus class.

AI-Powered Prompts and Dominance:

AI, with its natural language processing capabilities, can provide Dominants with a powerful tool to craft better commands that respect the principles of consent and communication.

How AI Can Aid Dominants:

a. Personalized Commands: AI can analyze the specific dynamics and preferences within the D/s relationship and generate personalized prompts. These commands can align with the submissive's needs and Dominant's desires.

b. Confidence Boost: By assisting Dominants in creating well-structured commands, AI can help boost their self-confidence in leading the relationship effectively.

c. Ongoing Practice: Dominance is a skill that improves with practice. Practicing better and better prompts on a chat bot like chat.gpt allows allows a Dominant to refine their command style over time.

Practical Applications:

• AI-powered prompts can be valuable in various non-sexual aspects of a D/s relationship, such as:

  • Setting rules and expectations for the submissive

  • Implementing routines and tasks

  • Handling disagreements or conflicts in a respectful manner

  • Expressing care and providing emotional support

Conclusion:

Effective command and communication are the cornerstones of a healthy D/s relationship. AI-powered prompts offer a unique tool for Dominants to enhance their skills in guiding and leading their submissives within the bounds of trust and consent. As AI technology continues to advance, it will play an increasingly significant role in improving communication and leadership within D/s relationships. Embracing the potential of AI to assist in crafting better commands can lead to a more fulfilling and harmonious D/s dynamic.

So, why not harness the power of AI to refine your dominance and communication skills within your relationship? Take our Art of Command class now, get the bonus class on AI, and learn more!

Bring Out Your Femme Domme

(by head coach, Emily Anne)

Everyone has inside them different qualities and energies. For example, everyone has masculine energy and feminine energy. These are not gender-related but energetic. The point is, there are many sides to you.

Most women/femmes/non-binary folks who come to me for coaching have some hangups around stepping into a power role in the bedroom. As I teach my Femme Domme students - there may be several reasons for this hesitation. Identifying those blocks (whether small or large) is the first step to truly allowing your inner Femdom to shine.

Your own personal Femme Domme is an energy that comes from within you. You could be a dominatrix, a sadistic domme, a gentle loving dom, a teacher domme, a fairy domme, a Mommy domme (like me), or any type of domme that we can imagine. The important thing is to be authentically YOU. Stepping into your femdom power can change your life, not just your sex life.

If you have ever wanted to step more into your own femdom energy, you can check out my Femme Domme masterclass.

What students are saying about the course:

Emily's FemDomme workshop…went beyond my wildest expectations and helped me grow into the person I am today! By stepping more into my Domme side, I was actually able to take up space in dating and manifested the partner of my dreams! For the first time in my life, have been able to have a BDSM-minded relationship with another Switch! Without this FemDomme class, I believe I wouldn't have been able to harness the mindsets and boundaries needed to cultivate and show up for the relationship and partner of my dreams! Emily is an amazing facilitator of space and the group! She is able to hold us in such beautiful and vulnerable space and teaching us how our dominant side is our birthright and is actually sacred.

- The Queen C (she/her/they)

I'm a very submissive person but I could tell my husband sometimes wanted me to take charge in the bedroom. This course showed me how to feel and express a sexy dominance without feeling fake or inauthentic. We can’t keep our hands off each other!

- Rebecca (she/her)