Toy Care & Cleaning Guide

Safety First

Periodically inspect your toy for damage and wear. Cracks and tears can create sharp edges and lead to parts of the toy breaking off, posing the risk of injury. Never use a toy that is damaged or worn.

Lubricant Compatibility

Batteries

We recommend using non-alkaline heavy-duty type batteries in all toys. Unlike alkaline batteries, heavy-duty batteries deliver a steady flow of current and voltage that will not overheat the delicate wiring of toy motors. If you do use alkaline, opt for inexpensive, low power brands and stop using them in your toy when there is a noticeable decrease in power (it’s when their voltage runs low that alkaline batteries can begin to overheat your toy’s motor)

Cleaning

We recommend using a toy cleaner. They’re safe for all materials and are formulated to gently clean, deodorize and eliminate bacteria without leaving behind any residue that might be harmful to you or the toy. Just rinse the toy with warm water, apply a little cleaner and wipe clean. Repeat as needed.

Porous materials like rubber, jelly and realistics are prone to damage and bacterial build up if not kept clean. We recommend using an antibacterial toy cleaner on them immediately after use. Alternatively, you can protect these toy materials by using them with condoms.

Storage

Toys should always be stored clean and dry, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. When storing toys together, it’s a good idea to wrap each one in a soft cloth (like a T-shirt) because some materials can react with each other if left in contact for prolonged periods, causing discoloration and even melting.

Waterproof vs. Splash-Proof

There is no industry standard for using these terms to describe an electric toy’s ability to deal with water. Many toys that claim to be waterproof are only truly splash-proof, meaning they can handle a shower, but not full submersion. In order to be submersible, a toy’s battery compartment and controls must be completely water tight and many inexpensive “waterproof” toys simply aren’t (or won’t be for long).

As a general rule, toys that use twist bases to control power should not be submerged. We don’t recommend submerging any toy for prolonged periods of time.

Porous vs. Nonporous

Nonporous materials such as hard plastics, glass, elastomer and silicone are less prone to bacterial buildup, are easier to clean and will generally hold up better. Special care should be taken to thoroughly clean porous toys made with jelly rubbers, PVC and realistic materials after each use. For best results, we recommend using an antibacterial toy cleaner on these kinds of toys.

Realistic Materials

Formulas and trade names vary, but all of these materials are composed of soft, supple silicone polymers. To maintain their unique feel, it’s important not to use soap to clean these materials. Instead, rinse them with warm water and/or use toy cleaner.

After they’re washed, these materials will get sticky; to renew their softness, allow them to dry completely, then rub them with a light coat of corn starch.

About Phthalates

Phthalates are chemicals used to soften plastics. Studies have linked exposure to phthalates to health problems. However, it has not been established that using products made with phthalates poses any risk to humans. For those concerned about phthalates, a wide selection of phthalate-free toys are available, and are usually marked as such on their packaging.

Good to know: Toy manufacturers are moving away from the use of phthalates, and a growing number of toys are now free of them. Silicone and elastomer have always been 100% phthalate free. Hard materials like ABS plastic and acrylic are also made without the use of phthalates.

Common Sense Advice

Allergic reactions to toy materials are very rare. However, if you suspect a toy is causing irritation, you should discontinue use immediately.