What’s the easiest actually-doable cleaning routine for sex toys (like after a late night), and how do I know I’m not accidentally giving myself a UTI or yeast infection?

1 Jan

Fast version: right after you’re done, rinse the toy in warm (not hot) water, add a bit of gentle, unscented soap, rub all the surfaces for 20–30 seconds (especially seams and ridges), rinse until it doesn’t feel slippery, then air-dry on a clean towel before putting it away. If you’re half-asleep, do a quick rinse and wipe, then give it a proper wash the next day. Always wash toys before switching from anus to vulva or vagina, and pee after using anything inside or near your vagina to help prevent UTIs.If you’re getting burning, itching, thick discharge, fishy odor, or pain with toys, that’s your sign something’s off and it’s time for medical backup.Want to talk through your routine, your discharge, or the weird thing your vulva did last week? Chat with Gush and get real-time, judgment-free help.

How to clean sex toys to prevent UTIs, yeast infections, and irritation

The 60-second post-sex toy cleaning routine

Here’s the actually-doable baseline routine for most non-porous toys (silicone, glass, stainless steel, hard plastic):1. **Right after use**- Rinse the toy under warm water. Not boiling, not scalding. Just comfortably warm.2. **Soap it up**- Use a mild, **unscented** soap (think gentle face or body wash, not glitter body scrub from a gift set).- Rub the whole toy for at least 20–30 seconds. Get into seams, ridges, around buttons, and in any grooves.3. **Rinse like you mean it**- Keep rinsing until the surface doesn’t feel slippery or soapy at all. Soap residue can mess with your vaginal pH and irritate your vulva.4. **Dry completely**- Pat dry with a clean towel or let it air-dry on a fresh cloth.- Don’t throw a damp toy into a dark drawer. That’s how you grow mystery organisms.5. **Put it away**- Once dry, store it in a pouch or clean bag (more on that later) so it’s not rolling around collecting dust and lint.

When you’re exhausted: the minimum-viable clean

We all have nights where full hygiene feels like a TED Talk we didn’t sign up to give.On those nights:- **At least**:- Rinse the toy in warm water.- Wipe it down with a clean cloth or a body-safe, unscented wipe.- Let it dry on a clean surface.- **Next day**:- Do the full soap-and-water clean before you use it again or store it.This is not perfection. This is harm reduction. The goal is: no dried body fluids sitting on your toy for days becoming a bacteria buffet.If you’re looking at your habits and thinking your body might need more than a quick rinse, that’s exactly the kind of thing Gush can talk through with you in detail, judgment-free.

How sex toys can contribute to UTIs and yeast infections

Let’s drag the actual mechanisms into the light:- **UTIs (urinary tract infections)** usually start when bacteria (often E. coli from your butt or skin) get into your urethra and climb up into your bladder. Toys can contribute if:- You use a toy near your anus and then move it straight to your vulva or vagina without washing or covering it.- Hands that touched your butt, partner’s genitals, or the toy touch your urethra.- There’s a lot of friction around your urethra, causing micro-irritation.- **Yeast infections** happen when the normal balance of your vaginal ecosystem gets wrecked and yeast (often Candida) overgrow. Toys can nudge that along if:- You use **scented soaps**, harsh cleaners, or don’t rinse properly.- You trap moisture and heat (like leaving toys damp in cramped storage) and then put that bacteria/fungus party back inside you.- You’re already vulnerable because of hormone shifts, antibiotics, pregnancy, or certain birth control.

How your menstrual cycle changes your infection risk

Your hormones are not just about mood swings and cramps. They’re also running your vagina’s chemistry lab.- **Menstrual phase (bleeding)**:- Estrogen and progesterone are **low**.- Vaginal pH is usually **higher** (less acidic) because of blood.- Higher pH = lactobacilli (good bacteria) are a bit weaker, so you’re more open to **BV or yeast** taking over.- If you use toys on your period (totally fine if it feels good), be extra strict about washing, because blood on toys is great food for microbes.- **Follicular phase (after your period, before ovulation)**:- Estrogen is rising.- Vaginal lining thickens, more glycogen (sugar) feeds good bacteria.- pH gets more **acidic**, which is protective.- This is usually when your vagina is happiest and most resilient. Toy play here tends to be lower risk if you’re cleaning decently.- **Ovulation (mid-cycle)**:- Estrogen peaks, luteinizing hormone spikes.- Cervical mucus is wetter, stretchier, more slippery.- You might feel higher libido and be more into toys, penetration, or intensity. Slippery mucus helps reduce friction, which lowers irritation risk.- **Luteal phase (after ovulation until next period)**:- Progesterone is higher; many people feel more bloated, tender, or dry.- Some notice more **thick, creamy discharge**, which can coat toys more.- If you’re prone to **premenstrual yeast infections**, this is usually when they hit. Extra gentle products, shorter sessions, and extra-thorough cleaning help.If you’re on **hormonal birth control** (pill, patch, ring, hormonal IUD, implant):- Estrogen and progesterone are more steady and lower overall.- That can mean **less natural lubrication** and sometimes more irritation with toys.- Dryness + friction + residue from harsh soaps = easier pathway to microtears and infections.

Extra steps to avoid UTIs and yeast infections with toys

Here’s your upgraded protocol if you’re infection-prone:- **Pee after using toys**, especially anything internal. It helps flush bacteria away from your urethra.- **Front to back, always.** Don’t drag a toy from anus to vulva without a wash or a condom change.- Use **water-based lube** (or compatible with your toy material). Lube reduces friction and microtears.- Avoid **scented products** on your vulva, toys, or laundry that touches that area.- If you’ve had a **yeast infection or BV recently**, fully wash and dry toys before using again, or consider boiling non-motor silicone/glass/steel toys per manufacturer guidelines.

Signs your body is annoyed with your routine

Pay attention if you notice:- Burning or stinging during or after toy use.- Itching that doesn’t go away in a day or two.- Cottage-cheese-like discharge (classic yeast).- Fishy or metallic odor, especially after sex (possible BV).- Needing to pee constantly, burning with urination, or cloudy/strong-smelling pee (possible UTI).That is not your body being “dramatic.” That is literal data. If symptoms are strong, new, or not fading quickly, get checked out by a clinician or clinic you trust.And if you’re stuck wondering whether what you’re feeling is normal, weird, or emergency-level, you don’t have to Google-spiral alone. Bring it to Gush and get a human to help you sort through what your body is trying to say.