Sex toys are meant to be a fun way to add spice to your sex lives. They let you get creative, enhance your experiences, and are just down right hilarious sometimes. Unfortunately, sex toy storage is often over looked.

Being able to enjoy sex toys with your spouse is amazing, but it can't all be fun and games. Taking care of your sex toys is an important part of being a sex toy owner. They need to be kept clean, maintained, and stored properly while you're not using them.

Clean Your Toys Before and After Use

No matter how well you store your toys, they will eventually start to get a little sticky or dusty. Porous toys breakdown and become sticky over time which allows bacteria to hide in the cracks.

It's important to clean your toys well before storing them. Generally, anti-bacterial soap and water will do the trick, but some toys can be sterilized in boiling water, bleached or placed in dishwashers.

You can also buy toy cleaner, which is good when you want a quick clean.

When taking your toys out of storage, don't just start using them immediately. Give them a good soap and water cleaning again. This will take off any dust or bacteria that's managed to stick to your toy.

Keep Your Sex Toys Dry When Stored

Make sure your toy is 100% dry before storing it away. If it is even a little bit damp, it becomes much more prone to bacteria and risks breaking down the material.

Keep your toys in a place that is dry, not humid, and avoid storing in plastic bags.

Some toys like Cyberskin fleshlights or Realistic dildos should be powdered with cornstarch or a toy specific powder after drying to keep them from getting sticky. Read your toys instructions!

Keep Your Sex Toys Separate from Each Other

Certain materials like jelly and rubber can create chemical reactions when touching and break down the sex toys barrier.

As a general rule, if your sex toy is squishy and soft, it is considered porous and at greater risk for chemical breakdown.

Keep these toys away from each other. You can use small boxes, lint free socks or scarves, or invest in satin, bacteria resistant bags. These are both pretty and practical! If you start investing in higher end sex toys, they often come with their own pouches so make sure you use them.

Inspect Your Toys Before and After Use

If you have had your toy for a long time, keep an eye out for any deterioration, warping or discoloration. These can all be signs of chemical breakdown.

If you have glass or metal toys, check for chips or sharp edges, especially after a particularly wild session! If you have hard plastic toys beware of sharp seems.

Vibrators need to be checked around the battery seem. If the toy is waterproof, make sure the rubber seal is intact and well closed.

It is always safer to remove the batteries when storing your toys.

Keep Them Away From Prying Eyes

If you don't want your mom asking you what that beautiful glass sculpture is on your nightstand, or your snoopy kids finding your stash, you might want to invest in discreet storage containers that can lock.

Something that can fit under your bed, on the top shelf of your closet, or in your drawers is always handy.

There are great options from JoyBoxx for sex toy specific, hygienic, and lockable storage. You could always just head over to IKEA and keep it simple though!

Sex Toy Storage For Longevity and Safety

Following all these sex toy storage tips can help you stay safe and save you money. Keeping your toys from breaking down and getting damaged will not only keep your naughty bits safe, they will allow you to enjoy your toys for years to come.

Don't be afraid to start investing in higher end sex toys that are made of quality materials. Now that you know how to properly care for them, they will become an investment for your sex life and for your marriage.

Chris and Katie are the Love Tripper's www.lovetripping.com. They have been together nearly a decade before getting married in April 2014. They believe that the key to a healthy long-lasting relationship is constant work and effort. The Love Tripper's share their advice on how to keep that sexy fire burning, avoiding pointless arguments, and finding a deeper love for your partner every day. Love is a trip, enjoy the ride!