They say cleanliness is next to godliness but I say it’s closer to safety and satisfaction, especially as it pertains to the use of high-quality sex toys. There’s nothing wrong with getting a little dirty. The problem doesn’t arise until long after the sex or masturbation session, when the devices and supplies aren’t maintained properly. Filthiness can be extremely hot, but not when it comes to your pleasure products. After all, unclean sex toy can harbor tons of bacteria, mildew and germs that may cause rashes, irritations and (worst of all) embarrassment. As a responsible and sexually active adult, you should own at least one bottle of sex toy cleaning solution (if not more).
I personally own at least half a dozen containers of the stuff and it’s not because I’m a nasty whore either. It’s because I take pride in whipping out pristine pleasure products, especially when I’m having sex with a partner. I also like to compare things because I’m a little OCD about how I spend my money. If a cleaning solution does a poor job, I’m quick to let people know and demand my money back. So, when I came across the Shibari Advanced Antibacterial Toy Cleaner, I had to find out what was so “advanced” about it and determine for myself if it was, in fact, the best option around. Did I end up getting my heart broken or am I now a fan of this formula? Well, let me make sure you know what I’m talking about before I answer that question.
What Is Shibari?
Shibari is made by a reputable company but you won’t find much information about them in a search. Either way, their sex toy cleaning solution has gathered a large following. The product, with its unique formulation and powerful antibacterial ingredients, has even been featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine because of its luxurious finish and versatile functionality. Designed to keep a variety of materials fresh and clean, this lovely liquid also protects the materials from future damage while restoring the integrity of the device’s exterior. Contained within a small, easy to use bottle, Shibari Advanced Antibacterial Toy Cleaner is made for travel and fits snugly inside almost any handbag or bedside drawer (plus, a little goes a long way, so you definitely get your money’s worth).
The Main Features
Cleaning supplies with any large number of features are rare. However, the makers of Shibari Advanced obviously knew how to incorporate user-friendliness into a highly effective product because that’s exactly what you get here. First of all, the bottle features a targeted spray nozzle so you can get the solution down into the tiny nooks and crannies of your toys. Secondly, the proprietary formula is made to disengage dirt and debris on contact, meaning you can enjoy perfectly cleaned sex toys in a fraction of the time. The fast-acting solution leaves no residue either, so you never have to wipe the material down before you experience its magic.
Furthermore, Shibari features a non-alcohol, paraben free, glycerin free, and triclosan free list of ingredients – a gentle yet powerful mixture that’s non-irritating to the skin and safe for people with allergies. It leaves behind a light, fresh scent as well, although the aroma may not be what some people are looking for (I liked it). Ideal for use with latex, silicone and rubber sex toys of all kinds, this stuff rinses off with water and comes in a massive 8-ounce bottle that has lasted me for several weeks so far. The manufacturer warns of using this stuff with electronic or battery-operated devices, however, stating that power sources and/or batteries should be removed prior to use.
What Comes in the Bottle?
Makers of sex toys, accessories and maintenance supplies decide for themselves what to put in the box with their products. There is no steadfast rule. However, most bottles of lube and/or sex toy cleaner don’t come with anything but the liquid inside a pump-style container. Shibari, our product in question, is no exception. You won’t get anything but the bottle and nozzle, plus the box it comes in won’t serve as storage once its opened. The manufacturer offers no money-back guarantee, no quality warranties, and no special discounts on future purchases. You do, however, get a simple set of instructions and some maintenance tips for your devices.
The Experience
I understand that my experience with each product is bound to be different. Some cleaning supplies remind me of my high school gymnasium, while others give me thoughts of meadows and mountains. And regardless of the scent, a handful of sex toy cleaners don’t even get the job done because they’re made with such low-quality ingredients. It’s hard to tell just by looking at a product, so you have to take a test drive to know what’s up. And since you can’t always do that, it’s up to people like me to give you the rundown based on basic, standardized criteria. With that said, here’s how Shibari Advanced Antibacterial Toy Cleaner performed for me:
- The Container
I appreciated the larger bottle because I have a ton of toys to take care of, and the targeted nozzle design was a nice tough too because it allowed me to clean inside of my highly texturized male masturbation devices as long as I could find a way to dry up the leftover water inside the chamber.
- The Formula
I wish the formula would have been self-drying so I could have used it alongside my non-waterproof machines. The ingredients are nice and gentle but the fact that it needs water to rinse is a big pain in the ass for someone like me. I think I’d rather have something that dries on its own and leaves behind a slight film than to have something that requires water because it significantly limits the product’s versatility.
- The Practicality
Obviously, spending money on a bottle of sex toy cleaner is very practical, but a low-quality product can blow that right out the window. Fortunately, Shibari is both high-quality and effective, which made it extremely useful for my love life. I would have appreciated a non-water rinse like I mentioned, but that’s pretty much the only thing that reduces this stuff’s practicality. Actually, you can rinse it off of your high-tech devices with a wet rag so it’s really not that big of a deal.
- The Effectiveness
Well, this stuff certainly gets your pleasure products squeaky clean but at what cost? Unlike some of the competitors’ formulas, a little does not go a long way with Shibari. You have to keep spraying to get good coverage, but the thin liquid does spread out quickly. However, the quick spread also makes things messy if you’re not careful. Overall, it’s kind of a pain in the ass to use but it made my toys clean again so you won’t hear me complaining.
- The Aftermath
There was no pesky residue left behind and all the filminess from my body fluids was washed away perfectly. I liked the scent that was lingering afterwards, although my partner said it smelled like a lady’s restroom. Ether way, the aftermath was acceptable so I’d definitely use it again.
The Ups and Downs
There’s no such thing as the perfect product and I’ve said it a thousand times. Every purchase I make is made with that simple truth in mind, but that doesn’t mean I don’t look for stuff that’s impressive or high quality. It’s still possible to track down a sex toy cleaning solution that’s worthy of your time, attention and cash. The key is to determine the product’s efficacy by carefully considering its inherent pros and cons. Everything has them, but it’s up to you as the consumer to figure out if the built-in flaws are workable or not. As for Shibari Advanced Antibacterial Toy Cleaner, here’s what I think you should know before spending any money on it:
PROS
- Popular product with consumers
- Cleans on contact, no scrubbing needed
- Lightweight formula spreads easily
- Targeted nozzle for better control
- Freshly scented
- Larger bottle than most
- Made from hypoallergenic ingredients
CONS
- Non-drying formula, requires a water rinse
- Scent not pleasant to all users
The Takeaway
It may not be the perfect cleaning product for your sex toys and/or accessories, but it certainly beats hand soap, hope and rubbing alcohol. The gentle ingredients are easy on the materials of your devices, plus it presents a pleasant scent when you’re done and doesn’t need additional wiping for excess residue. The conveniently designed bottle is easy to use and the targeted spray nozzle makes it one of the most convenient products of this type because it allows the use to pinpoint every nook and cranny of their device with accuracy. And while you may need to use water to rinse it off (making it virtually incompatible with high-tech toys), it produces an exceptionally clean surface and protects the material for future damage. Overall, it’s an ideal liquid for anyone wanting to feel more confident about the cleanliness of their kink.
