Sex toys. You know ’em, we love ’em (no, like, we really love them).

But as with everything surrounding sex, your health and safety are top priority. This sounds boring until you’re on the floor, keeled over in pain from a gnarly UTI.

To make sure our sex toy drawer could pass the Room Raiders blacklight test (if you don’t know what we’re talking about, it’s worth a Google search), we reached out to certified sex therapist and LELO sexpert Casey Tanner.

Below, Casey shares how to properly look after your beloved sex toys and what can happen to them if you don’t.

“When sex toys are not cleaned regularly, they can become a breeding ground for infections such as bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, or UTIs. If you do not effectively clean shared toys, you may also risk the spread of sexually transmitted infections,” Casey shares. “The great news is that most sex toys are fairly easy to clean, and with the right cleaning solution, it only takes a few minutes.”

“Most sex toys can be cleaned the old-fashioned way, with some mild antibacterial soap and warm water,” she says. “If, however, you want to be sure your sex toys have been thoroughly sanitized, consider opting for an alcohol and paraben-free solution that is made for that purpose, like the LELO Toy Cleaning Spray.

Keep in mind that where you store your sex toys will also impact their cleanliness. Return clean toys to their original pouch in between uses, or set aside a clean, dry space for storage.”

“Best practice is to clean your sex toys after every use, being sure to towel them off or let them air dry before storing them,” says Casey. “If you share your sex toys between partners or even between your own erogenous zones (e.g. anus and vagina), be sure to clean them in between different people and parts.”

“Yes, but cleaning your sex toys is not a substitute for other safe sex practices,” she says, noting that you should “continue to communicate about STI test results or use condoms on your toys to minimize the risk of spreading infection.”

“Just as you might be aware of the nutrients you’re putting into your body when you eat, it’s important to read the label of any cleaner you intend to use on toys that will interact with the sensitive microbiome of your genitals,” she recommends. “Avoid harsh chemicals like parabens, alcohol, and bleach, which may corrode your sex toys and increase the risk of vulvar infection.”

“When shopping for pleasure products, look for a nonporous material, such as silicone,” says Casey. “A porous sex toy is more likely to absorb and carry harmful bacteria, even after cleaning it. If you enjoy exploring porous toys, you can mitigate the risk of infection by cleaning it after every use and using a condom for any penetrative play.”

You ask, we answer. Send your relationship questions to [email protected], and one of our experts may just answer them in an upcoming column.