How can you tidy away your BDSM toys properly?

“How can you tidy away your BDSM toys properly?“ was written for BDSMforyou.nl by Mistress Moriah.

A tidy space looks nice, but it's not just about "looking neat". Calm in your surroundings also means calm in your head. So a tidy home has not only a practical effect but certainly a mental one too. But how do you tidy away those BDSM toys properly? For some products it's important to do this the right way if you want to enjoy them for a long time. Think of latex, for example.

Tidying away clean toys

In this blog I won't be talking about hygiene. When it comes to tidying up, I'm assuming that all your toys have been properly cleaned before you put them away. Even if you only use them on your own. If you'd like to know more about this, head over to the blog BDSM and the importance of good hygiene. If you don't clean your toys, bacteria get the chance to multiply and mould can develop.

Besides tidiness (knowing where things are) and hygiene, there is a third important point in giving your toys a good storage place: discretion. After all, your toys don't need to be visible to everyone.

Don't use plastic bags

Before we go into the products in more depth, a warning first. For storing your toys, please don't use plastic bags. Plastic bags often contain plasticisers, and that isn't good for every material. It's better to choose storage made of fabric, wood or cardboard. Sometimes fabric storage pouches are supplied with the toys, but unfortunately not always.

Everything in one case

The easiest option is of course to keep everything in one case and slide it under the bed, provided it fits. Do take the different products into account, though, and don't throw everything onto one pile. Every product needs to be stored in its own way.

You can secure the case with a combination lock, so everything is shielded from curious kids.

Storing silicone toys

It's best to keep silicone toys in a storage pouch. Silicone tends to attract dust, which is of course not very fresh. A fabric storage pouch prevents this problem. It's best to give each toy its own pouch.

Silicone toys can also cause a chemical reaction if they lie against each other for a long time. This mainly happens through a process called "material degradation". It occurs especially with cheaper, lower-quality silicone toys that contain plasticisers or other impure substances in the material. When these toys come into contact with each other, the materials can react, which can lead to:

• Stickiness

• Discolouration

• A melting effect or even damage to the toys

Medical grade silicone

Medical grade silicone is of higher quality and is produced without plasticisers or other impurities. This makes it generally more stable and resistant to chemical reactions, even when it is in contact with other silicone toys for a long time. Even so, it's still a good habit to store medical grade silicone toys separately too, because dust and other materials (such as lube residue) can also have an effect.

Avoid heat

Avoid exposure to heat, so don't keep your silicone toys near the radiator. Heat can speed up the deterioration of the material. And that is of course not desirable.

Storing glass toys

It's best to keep glass toys in a cardboard or wooden box. This applies to all hard materials, by the way, so also to wooden and/or metal toys. No cardboard or wooden boxes in the house? Then they can also be stored perfectly well in a pouch made of a slightly thicker fabric.

Accessories

All accessories such as lube, condoms, oil, gloves, et cetera, can be kept together. That can be in the drawer of your bedside table, but it can also be in a storage box. Always make sure that all the caps are screwed on tightly before you put everything away, so that nothing can leak and everything ends up covered in oil or lube.

If you have a smooth floor (laminate, vinyl, tiles), be extra careful with lube anyway, because lube on your floor really does turn it into an ice rink. Silicone-based lube can only be removed with hot water and a degreaser.

Paddles

Paddles can easily be stored in a chest or box, but make sure they can't damage each other. If you have the option of hanging them up, that is definitely a better choice.

Whips

It's best to hang whips up somewhere, so they can't get damaged by being kinked. If you don't want them on display, you can choose to hang them on the inside of a wardrobe door or, if need be, build a double wall in your wardrobe.

If this isn't an option, you could choose to store them in a flat box or chest that you can slide under the bed.

In any case, make sure the tails of floggers and whips are not folded when you put them away. This prevents creases in the product, which can even make the whip or paddle unusable. Hanging them up or laying them out flat is essential if you want to prevent this.

Leather products with buckles and straps

Leather needs to breathe. Store leather products in breathable fabric bags to prevent mould. Always undo straps and buckles before you put the products away. This prevents unnecessary marks in the (PU) leather.

Latex products

Latex products are not only expensive but also delicate. With latex it's important that they are stored clean, in a dark, cool place. Preferably each item wrapped separately in chlorine-free paper. Avoid contact with metals and oils, as these can damage the material. So don't store it in a plastic bag.

Electronics and cable management

Nothing is as frustrating as a tangle of chargers and cables. Keep your electronics organised with cable ties or special storage pouches for accessories. This prevents not only tangles but also damage.

Regular inspection while tidying up

Just as you have your car checked regularly, your toys deserve periodic attention too. Check for wear, small tears or other signs of degradation, and replace them if necessary.

Mistress Moriah

Source

Text: Mrs Moriah
Photography: 123rf.com