Sometimes sexy stuff (like using adult sex toys) requires that we have some, well, unsexy conversations. We know that toys can boost our pleasure and be a whole lot of fun. But we also need to make sure that we’re taking care of those toys properly - both for the longevity of the toy and, more importantly, to keep our bodies happy and healthy. With that in mind, let’s have one of those not-so-sexy conversations! Specifically, let’s talk about how to keep your anal beads clean.
Anal beads can be a fun and sexy addition to masturbation or partnered play. Read on to learn more about what anal beads are, how they work, what anal beads feel like, how to enjoy yours, and most importantly, how to keep your anal beads clean and safe to use!
What Are Anal Beads?
As you may already know, anal beads are a type of adult toy used during sexual activity for enhancing orgasm or just feeling good. Basic anal beads typically feature a series of beads or swells (usually round or oval shaped) attached to a cord, but they can also look a bit more like a long dildo or vibrator with lots of bumps. In any event, most anal beads have a flared base or looped handle at one end that keeps the beads from going too far into the body and makes for easy removal.
Anal beads are available in a whole range of sizes from petite to downright intimidating, so there is something for just about every experience level and personal preference. Additionally, anal beads may feature a series of bulbs that are all the same size or ones that increase in size along the cord, with the largest bead being closest to the handle/base.
Anal beads are inserted into the rectum slowly and can be pulled out before or during orgasm. If you’re wondering about anal beads for beginners , the best advice is to go slow. Otherwise, the speed with which the beads are removed is a matter of personal preference. Some folks get immense anal pleasure from having their anal beads pulled out hard and fast, while others enjoy a slow, sensual removal. Either way, the sensitive nerves that can be found at the entrance to the anus are stimulated by the insertion and removal of anal beads.
Anal beads can be a pleasurable addition to literally any sex act, including masturbation. Also, for those who are new to butt play, using anal beads on your own can be a fun, low-pressure introduction to anal penetration. Meanwhile, partnered anal bead play requires continuous open communication which can make it both incredibly intimate and deeply satisfying.
Keep it Clean
Once you have had fun with your anal beads, they must, Must, MUST be washed immediately. Used anal beads will likely have some bacteria on them, and you don’t want to leave them like that. So, to keep them clean and healthy, you need to properly clean your anal beads ASAP, and the first step of properly cleaning anal beads is identifying what they are made of.
That’s right, not all beads are created equal, and the material used to make your beads will determine both what steps you can take in cleaning them and how clean they will actually get.
So, What Are Your Anal Beads Made Of?
When it comes to cleaning your anal beads, you want to know what they are made of. Generally, sex toy materials can be divided into to categories: porous and non porous. Porous material can be things like rubber, jelly, and latex. These materials require a little extra care to ensure safe use. On the other hand, non porous materials can include things like steel, glass, and silicone. These tend to be a bit easier to clean and have more options for disinfection.
If you are not sure what your anal beads are made of you can consult the packaging or look them up online. Once you have identified the material you are dealing with, you are ready to take the proper steps to clean it. Read on for cleaning instructions for a porous material, non porous material, and even toys with motors!
Cleaning Rubber, Jelly, or Latex Anal Beads
Porous anal beads can be cleaned with a gentle liquid soap (unscented preferably) and water or a toy cleaner. Once you have washed your anal beads, let them air dry.
It is important to remember that porous toys feature, you know, pores. That means they have lots of tiny holes that bacteria can linger in even after cleaning. For this reason, it’s best to use porous toys for solo anal play exclusively. If you really want to share porous anal beads, cover them with a condom.
Cleaning Steel, Glass, or Silicone Anal Beads
The best thing about non porous materials for anal sex toys like a steel, glass, or silicone anal beads is that there are no pores large enough for bacteria to hide in. that said, it is still important to clean your anal beads (or butt plug, or any anal sex toy) after use to get rid of any bacteria on the surface. To clean silicone, glass, and steel toys you can use water or a gentle liquid soap or a toy cleaner before allowing them to air dry.
Non porous toys are also able to be disinfected in some more intense ways, we’ll get to that in a minute. First, though, let’s talk about cleaning vibrating anal beads because that comes with its own concerns.
Cleaning Vibrating Anal Beads
Vibrating anal beads feature a motor and a power source that fuels the vibration. That’s why it’s important to know their water safety rating before you try to clean them.
- Splash proof means you can rinse them but not to submerge them in water.
- Waterproof means that you can, to a certain depth, submerge them in water.
- Not Water-Safe beads that are not splash proof or waterproof (or even beads you can’t find the water safety rating for) should not be rinsed or submerged. These should be wiped down with a damp washcloth or paper towel.
Use the appropriate method for your specific beads, along with gently scrubbing them with liquid soap. If your beads have crevices or grooves, use a soft toothbrush (that you don’t use for anything else) to remove trapped gunk. Rinse or wipe your beads until they are clean and the soap is all gone. Finally, place your beads on a clean towel to air dry.
Disinfecting Anal Beads
Sometimes a simple cleaning is not enough. There are times you need to disinfect your toys. Boiling, dishwasher use, and bleaching are some of the most popular ways to accomplish this. Additionally, these cleaning methods can be helpful for getting odors out of silicone anal beads.
Boiling
Steel, glass, and silicone anal beads can be disinfected by cleaning them, as we discussed above, before submerging them in a pot of boiling water for three minutes. If you are disinfecting glass toys, It can be a good idea to put a washcloth in the pot to cushion the beads-- protecting them from possibly cracking --and keep an eye on the process as stuff can start bumping around when the water is boiling.
When you are ready to take the beads out of their boiling bath, use tongs because they will be hot. Place your beads on a clean towel and allow them to air dry.
Cleaning in the Dishwasher
Silicone, stainless steel, and borosilicate glass anal beads can be disinfected in the dishwasher. You want to start by surface-cleaning your beads. Then you can place them on the top rack of your dishwasher (bonus: if you have several steel, glass, or silicone toys to disinfect, you can do them all at once!). Select the “sanitize” cycle and DO NOT add soap or detergent (it is too harsh to wash anal sex toys with). As with boiling, you want to be careful when it’s time to take your beads out of the dishwasher because there’s a decent chance they will be pretty hot.
NOTE: While this method can kill 99.999 percent of bacteria (the sanitizing cycle on residential dishwashers reaches 150 degrees Fahrenheit/ 65.5 degrees Celsius), it may not be sufficient to kill certain heat-tolerant fungi and viruses. This makes this method a little less effective than boiling or bleaching.
Bleaching
Boiling and using the dishwasher is safe for non porous toys without motors, but one of the bleaching processes we are about to talk about can actually be used on motorized toys too.
Based on CDC disinfection recommendations, toys, including anal beads, can be disinfected by following your surface cleaning with a bleach solution. Start off by surface cleaning your beads, then make a bleach solution (DO NOT use undiluted bleach on your sex toys!) featuring ⅓ cup of household bleach per gallon of water. Waterproof anal vibrating beads and anal beads without motors can be submerged in this solution for 10 minutes, while motorized anal beads that are not 100% waterproof can be sprayed with the solution and left to sit for 10 minutes.
Whichever bleach treatment you opt for, be sure to thoroughly wash your anal beads with soap and water afterwards..
Storing Anal Beads
So you’ve got your anal beads nice and clean; now let’s keep them that way! First things first, make sure they are properly dried off before putting them away. Secondly, think about where you are putting them away. How you store your sex toys is an important part of keeping them clean and safe to use. In general, any kind of sealable case or pouch (lots of toys even come with their own fabric pouch!) will keep your anal beads free of dust and lint. That said, silicone toys can sometimes retain smells -- particularly anal toys-- and so for silicone, you will want to consider a pouch that is breathable as opposed to made of something like plastic.
Once you have selected where to store your anal beads, make sure they are in a cool, dry, dark place like a drawer or shelf. Also, be sure to keep them out of direct sunlight and not to store them somewhere where they can get wet, like in a bathroom. When you are ready to use your anal beads again, give them a quick wipe to ensure they’re safe and ready to use.
Also, keep a close eye on the state of your anal beads. While toys made from glass, steel, or silicone can be very durable, always check if they are still in good shape before using them. If your anal beads develop any visible cracks, rips, or tears, they can be dangerous to use and way more difficult to keep clean. So, if you notice anything amiss, it’s smart to dispose of the beads.
That’s the story on keeping anal beads clean! If you are curious about anal toys, PinkCherry has a huge selection! Head on over and start exploring! exploring!
