Masturbators come in all kinds of varieties, from expensive and long-lasting to cheap and disposable. Whatever type you go for, you're likely going to want to use it more than once. Caring for pocket pussies or masturbators doesn't have to be complicated. It's beneficial if you build yourself a little cleaning kit and routine to be second nature after nature calls. Here you've got a simple step-by-step guide on how to clean a masturbator. Make sure to share it or save it, so you can look back on it if you have any questions. 

The simple steps for cleaning a masturbator are: 1) rinse it out with high-pressure warm water, 2) apply toy cleaning spray over the entire toy inside and out, 3) rinse away the spray with warm water, 4) allow to air dry completely, turning it inside out if necessary 5) apply cornstarch as needed to keep it feeling new 6) store out of direct sunlight in a safe and dust-free environment.

The steps are easy. But there is a little more to it that you ought to know before starting your cleaning process.

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Do I need to clean my masturbator?

Absolutely.

Masturbators are made from porous material 99.99% of the time.

Porous means bacteria, skin cells, and other material will build up inside the microscopic pores. The build-up will cause them to mold and deteriorate over time and use. 

You can protect yourself and your investment by taking proper care of your masturbator from the day you bring it home. 

Do I need to clean my masturbator after every use?

Yes. It's not only about hygiene but about the shelf life of your masturbator.

If you leave your body oils to sink into the delicate surface, you can cause irreversible damage.

So wash it after every use. 

It may seem like a lot of steps, but it'll quickly become second nature. 

What are the types of masturbators?

There is a type of masturbator for every penis owner out there. They range from high-priced and automatic to inexpensive and manual. Masturbators are designed to help you enjoy your masturbatory experience more. 

The main types of masturbators that we're talking about are: 

Pocket pussies

These often are designed to have one end resemble a vaginal opening or a mouth. They're soft on all sides. You can control the tightness of the pocket pussy based on your grip. They all have unique interiors and are often low-cost. Old-fashioned pocket pussies that you find on the bottom shelf of masturbator displays at adult stores are often full of harmful chemicals. I strongly recommend going for a safer brand such as Tenga or Fleshlight for your pocket pussy needs.

One more option would be the ArcWave Ghost. This is a stroker with differing textures on the outside and the inside. You can easily flip it around, giving you variety and also making it a breeze to keep clean!

Fleshlights

Fleshlight is a brand name product created by the Fleshlight company. But many people use it as a general term for their masturbator products. Fleshlights are unique in that they have three parts:

1) The soft internal tube meant to create a realistic vaginal, anal, or oral experience

2) A plastic housing that the soft flesh-like tube goes in

3) Removable caps at both ends to store the product away and control the tightness of the flesh-like tube

Many other toy manufacturers create similar products to those of Fleshlight. However, Fleshlight uses only non-toxic and phthalate-free materials in its manufacturing process therefore making your toy safer and last longer.

One other safe alternative is the ArcWave Pow. Since it’s made from silicone, this one is far easier to clean than Fleshlight counterparts. This manual stroker is designed to replicate a blowjob on one side and a vaginal opening on the other. This one is also more discreet since it doesn’t overtly look like a vagina or mouth.

Automatic masturbators

These come in a massive variety we won't cover in detail here. But, in short, they're often similar to the Fleshlight type of design. However, they contain motors and special controls so that you have complete control over your masturbatory experience. 

Some of my favorite automatic masturbators are:

• Ion by ArcWave - With the actual user in mind, this automatic masturbator comes apart in two pieces making cleaning super easy. It also has a self-drying feature on it’s charging base which means that your post-masturbation cleaning process is done in just a few seconds rather than ten or fifteen minutes. What’s really unique about the Ion is that it has incorporated the clit-sucking technology of the Womanizer. It’s designed to just focus on the frenulum or underside of the penis where you’re the most sensitive.

• Universal Launch Turbo Thrust Pack - If you already have a Fleshlight, then this is the add on you’ve been looking for. This contraction allows you to put your masturbator into the machine, and it does all the thrusting for you! You can use nearly any Fleshlight product in the Thrusting pack, so it’s an easy and obvious upgrade!

• F1SV2 by Lelo - This is a huge jump in masturbator technology. Not only is this made from easy to clean medical grade silicone, but it connects to an endurance training app on your phone! It also features a fantastic game similar to Space Invaders which can help you enjoy your masturbation routine in a whole new way.

There are plenty more pleasurable iterations on the market. But these are the ones that these cleaning instructions will mainly pertain to. 

What do I need to clean my masturbator?

Not all products are created equal. Therefore, these cleaning instructions will be a bit flexible based on the type of masturbator you have. 

Not all masturbators will require all the same materials. 

You'll need:

The bathroom or kitchen sink to yourself

Cleaning a masturbator takes time and running warm water. Ideally, you'll clean it immediately after you've had your fun. But, sometimes, life gets in the way. Make sure you clean it the same day as you use it.

Microfiber towels

I do not recommend using regular towels on your masturbator because of the nature of the material. It means towel fibers may stick to a standard hand towel. Use one or two small microfiber towels - like you can get at pretty much any grocery store in the cleaning section. Please make sure they're clean and dry. 

Sex toy cleaner

Some brands recommend that you only use their band-specific cleaning product. But generally, you can use any antibacterial sex toy cleaning spray. Do not use soap. Soap contains many chemicals and materials that will cause your toy to break down. Use a sex toy-specific cleaner, ideally a spray. 

A soft-sided foam cleaning wand (optional)

Some styles of masturbators are challenging to turn inside out. If that's the case, you need to get deep in there. Consider buying a soft-sided foam scrubber like the one in the picture. That will allow you to really get in there and get all the spunk out. 

Cornstarch

Cornstarch may seem weird if you're new to masturbator use and care. Over time, your toy is going to start feeling oily and sticky. You don't have to throw it away. You just need to grab some (ideally organic) cornstarch and rub it into the flesh-like material. That will bring it back to life. Many companies will sell a fancy "renewal powder." 99% of the time, it's just cornstarch in a branded container. 

Cleaning products are an investment in the lifespan of your sex toy and, therefore, your pleasure. Do you want to buy a new masturbator in the next few months? Probably not. So spend $5-$10 on a few cleaning supplies to increase their usefulness.

How to clean a masturbator?

This step-by-step guide should be easy enough to follow. But, as always with sex toys, check the care instructions provided in the product's packaging. Some manufacturers have their recommendations for taking care of their products. Just weigh up what you read here against their suggestions and see which one rings true for you. 

Step 1: Get your space prepped

You're going to want to have all your materials handy in the bathroom or kitchen sink. That way, you don't have to stop halfway through what you're doing. 

Also, lay out a microfiber towel before you get started. This will be where you'll put your masturbator to dry after cleaning. 

A little forethought will go a long way here.

Step 2: Rinse with warm water

Why not hot water? If you use hot water, there is a reasonable chance you could melt the interior of your toy. No one wants that. I recommend using high-pressured warm water that is slightly above your body temperature. Doing this will help you knock out the gunk built up inside with ease. If there is some tricky stuff that won't let go of its hold, then use your scrubbing brush.  

If you have a style of masturbator you can turn inside out, do that too. Again, you want the best clean possible.

Step 3: Use the toy cleaner

Now that you've rinsed out all the gunk, you can spray that thing down with your toy cleaner. Inside, outside, upside down, backward, just make sure you hit every inch with that cleaner. Again, your masturbator is most likely porous, so you want to clean as much of it as humanly possible. 

After you've sprayed every surface, let the cleaner sit for at least 30 seconds. Maybe up to a minute if the cleaning instructions on the product say so. 

Don't leave it on too long, though - that too can cause damage.

Step 4: Dry it out

You technically can use the microfiber towels on the inside, but I wouldn't recommend it. Tap, shake or spin your masturbator around to get as much of the water out of it as possible. If you can turn it inside out, do it again here. 

Once you've shaken it out, leave the flesh-like tube out of any plastic housing. Rest it in a corner or something on a microfiber towel to drain out. 

Letting it air dry can take up to 24 hours but don't worry, you can still use it when it's wet. So no bigger. 

Word of advice - Please, please, please do not try to speed up the drying process with a blow-dryer or any other kind of heating device. Let the elements do their thing or just use it wet. Applying any heat could very quickly ruin your purchase. 

Step 5: Apply cornstarch

You likely won't have to do this every time. But again, that depends on your preferences and your particular product. 

If, after drying, the masturbator feels sticky or oily, then grab the cornstarch and your microfiber towel.

Apply the cornstarch to your hands, the towel, or the masturbator directly. I think the towel is the easiest option. Rub the cornstarch into all the available flesh-like portions of your masturbator and rub it in.

Don't rinse it off!

You want to let the product absorb it over time. 

Once you've fully and thoroughly rubbed it in, let it sit for a while before use.

Conclusion

Next time you want to use your new favorite toy, you're good to go! 

Never forget to use water-based lube with your toy for a more pleasurable experience. Pro-tip, use a warming lube with your masturbator if you can find it. It will make the experience even more life-life!

There you have it, all the steps you need to know about cleaning your masturbator. When you store it, make sure it's out of direct sunlight and in a well-ventilated place. If it's going in a toy drawer, make sure that the flesh-light material does not touch anything made with silicone. Two silicone objects together can cause them to become damaged and melt. Yes, it sounds high maintenance, but just wrap a fresh microfiber towel around it, and you're good to go. 

If you have any more questions about sex toys or cleaning your pleasure products, you can check out the previous blog posts on SexWithElaine.com. Or send a message on Instagram. 

“Masturbation: the primary sexual activity of mankind. In the nineteenth century it was a disease; in the twentieth, it’s a cure.”

-Thomas Szasz

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