Like doing laundry and loading the dishwasher, cleaning sex toys is a necessary thing to learn. After all, the devices get intimate with your genital region (an area worth keeping clean), and common mistakes can be made. Since these mistakes can lead to a decidedly yeasty ordeal, it's essential to make sure you're clear on the best methods to go about it. And that begins with genuinely committing to cleaning your sex toys.

Beyond cleaning toys with soapy water and allowing them to air dry, here are some common mistakes to avoid. 

Waterproof?

The good news is that many sex toys are waterproof. But, before bringing a toy in the tub with you as a bathtub buddy, you should always confirm that it is safe for submerging. The last thing you want to do is ruin your brand new toy before you've had a chance to try it!

Clean on arrival.

Your toy has just arrived! Once you're done doing a happy dance, it's time to clean your toy! Now, perhaps it seems silly; I mean, it just arrived; it's not been near anyone's genital region; it should be perfectly clean. Well, not so fast. Factories have dust and chemicals floating around, and I don't know about you, but I don't want unknowns near my lady bits. 

Air or towel dry?

Not making sure your toys are adequately dried is another pitfall to avoid. Towels tend to leave debris, so it's best to avoid towels. A blow dryer only takes a few minutes to dry a sex toy, so if you don't have debris-free material, blow dry that toy!

Using bleach or scented soap.

With so many quality sex toy cleaners on the market, there's no excuse for using harsh or potentially damaging household cleaners. Bleach and scented cleaners can damage toys and leave a residue that can cause yeast infections. I don't know about you, but I don't want the cleaner I use on my sex toy to be the reason I have to visit my doctor. Stick with an anti-bacterial sex toy cleaner.

Proper storage

No offense, but your drawer is probably not the ideal location to store your sex toys. Most drawers are ripe for allowing bacteria to build up. Tossing your toys in a drawer is OK, as long as you keep your toys in a clean, waterproof bag to avoid bacteria from growing. Personally, I prefer showing them off on the coffee table. It's a great conversation starter and lets my guests know that I prioritize my sex life, and I'm not afraid to overshare. You're welcome!