How to Safely Share Sex Toys with A Partner

Sharing sex toys with partners can be a fun and wonderfully intimate experience, but alongside any desire to share comes the necessity to prioritize safety and hygiene. Perhaps you have hundreds of sex toys in storage under your bed that could give your friend a helping hand. Or maybe you want to share your favorite toy with a partner(s) but are unsure of sex toy-sharing etiquette?

Sex toys provide a multitude of avenues for self-exploration, whether enjoyed solo, with a single partner, or in group settings. Nevertheless, it's crucial to recognize that the presence of sex toys doesn't negate the importance of practicing safe sex.

We’re going to deep dive into the benefits of sex toy sharing, along with the risks involved and detailed guidance on how to make it safe, so it’s a pleasurable experience from start to finish.  

What are the benefits of sex toy sharing?

• Enhanced intimacy: Sharing sex toys can foster a sense of intimacy and trust between partners as they explore each other's desires and sexual preferences.
• Experimentation: It allows partners to experiment with different sensations and types of stimulation, adding variety to their sexual experiences.
• Mutual pleasure: Sex toys can be used to simultaneously stimulate one or more partners, enhancing mutual pleasure and satisfaction.
• Connection: Using sex toys together requires open communication about desires, boundaries, and preferences, which can strengthen the emotional connection between partners.
• Sexual exploration: Sharing sex toys can encourage the exploration of new sexual activities and fantasies, promoting sexual growth and discovery within the relationship.
• Equal enjoyment: Sex toys can help ensure partners receive equal attention and pleasure during sexual encounters, regardless of differences in anatomy or arousal patterns.

What are the risks of sharing sex toys?

STIs

Communication is key in any relationship. Talking to your partner openly about your sexual health status is a must whether you intend to share sex toys with each other or indulge in each other intimately. This includes any STIs (sexually transmitted infections) you may have or have had previously. Both partners should be open and honest to lessen any potential risks when it comes to sharing sex toys.

Poor Hygiene

Some people assume that sex toys are safe to use with different partners because they are inanimate objects, which is completely wrong. Sex toys can spread STIs in the same way that oral, vaginal, or anal sex can. And it’s not just STIs that can be spread when sharing sex toys without taking the necessary precautions – women who carry the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can potentially cause cancer, might be endangering their partners if they share sex toys without taking the necessary precautions.

How to share sex toys safely

Get to know your materials

When selecting sex toys, prioritize those made from body-safe materials, or toys crafted from materials less likely to harbor bacteria.

Choose sex toys made from non-porous materials, such as silicone, stainless steel, or glass. These materials are easier to clean and less likely to hold onto bacteria or other pathogens.

Porous materials are particularly challenging to avoid when it comes to masturbation sleeves. These sleeves are typically crafted from TPE/TPR, a soft material that contributes to their lifelike texture. It's crucial to refrain from using masturbation sleeves with multiple partners unless you're fully aware of their STI status.

All of b-Vibe’s toys are made from medical-grade, body-safe materials to let you explore your body worry-free!

Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize

Ensure you thoroughly sanitize your sex toys after each use, regardless of whether you're using them alone or with a partner. We recommend using an organic toy cleaner to keep your play free from harmful bacteria, and to help extend your product’s longevity. You can also use a UV sex toy cleaner for complete protection.

Glass sex toys and metal toys can usually be safely sanitized by placing them on the top rack of a dishwasher.

Always go front to back

Never move a vibrator or dildo from an anus to a vagina. Ever. This can cause harmful bacteria to be transferred between orifices and greatly increase your chances of a harmful infection. Whether you’re using a sex toy, penis, or hand, the rule to remember is to never go ‘back to front’! 

Use condoms

To prevent the transmission of STIs, we would advise you to use a condom on your sex toy. Simply roll a condom over the ‘shaft’ of your plug or vibrator exactly as you would for a penis. 

Using a condom as a barrier method with more than one partner extends to sex toys too, as bacteria is very easy to transfer if you can’t get a guarantee on everyone’s STI status. If you're using sex toys with multiple partners during one session, it's essential to change the condom each time the toy switches between individuals to prevent the spread of STIs. Failing to change condoms renders their use ineffective.

Inspect your toys

Regularly inspect your sex toys for any signs of damage or wear and tear. If a toy is damaged, discard it or replace it to prevent injury or infection. Check out our eco-friendly guide to recycling sex toys for handy tips on consciously disposing of your old devices.

The final word on sex toy sharing

While there are very clear risks associated with sharing sex toys, keeping mindful hygiene practices can eliminate any harmful bacteria and prevent the spread of infection, allowing you to explore sexually with multiple partners in a risk-free and comfortable situation.