Quats and Other Chemicals of Concern in Antibacterial Sex Toy Cleaners
Published 2020
The problem with antibacterial sex toy cleaners is that they frequently contain harsh disinfectants like quaternary ammonium chlorides or quats. Specifically, we identified 35 sex toy cleaning products half of which (17 products) contained benzalkonium chloride – a potent quat, and two others which contained other types of quats.
While there is very little research on the impacts of these types of products on vaginal health, studies link quat exposure to reproductive harm, allergies, and other health issues. In addition, WVE found that benzalkonium chloride (one of the most commonly used quats, which are disinfecting chemicals) has been associated with significant vaginal irritancy. [1] Also of concern, is that quats are really effective at killing lactobacillus – one of the most important types of healthy vaginal bacteria. [2] Vaginal exposure to quats (which could result from sex toy cleaner residue on the toy) could be both irritating vaginal tissue and throwing off the delicate balance of vaginal microbes that keep you healthy. In addition, we found that another seven sex toy cleaners contained other potentially harmful disinfectant chemicals including triclosan, parabens, MI/MCI, DMDM Hydantoin and chlorhexidine – all of which also pose unnecessary risks to vaginal health.
To learn more, read WVE’s blog post on finding safer vibrators, sex toy cleaners and lubes.
Products Containing Quats – Benzalkonium Chloride
| Name of Product | Manufacturer | Ingredients in product | Contains Benzalkonium chloride? Yes/No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleene Antibacterial Toy Cleaner | Wicked Sensual Care Collection | Benzalkonium Chloride (0.10%) Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone | Yes |
| Antibacterial Toy Cleaner | Honeydew | Water, glycerin, sodium laureth sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, polysorbate 20, phenoxyethanol, benzalkonium chloride, lauryl glucoside | Yes |
| Pure and Clean Misting Cleaner | Adam and Eve | Purified Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Benzalkonium Chloride, Zinc Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid. | Yes |
| Pure and Clean Foaming Cleaner | Adam and Eve | Purified Water (Aqua), Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Benzalkonium Chloride, Zinc Gluconate, Citric Acid, Phenoxethanol. | Yes |
| Foam Toy Cleanser | Anjou | Water (Aqua), Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzalkonium Chloride, Zinc Gluconate | Yes |
| #Toy Life Foaming Toy Cleanser | ToyLife | Water (Aqua), Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzalkonium Chloride, Zinc Gluconate, Fragrance. | Yes |
| Jo Refresh Foaming Toy Cleaner | Jo Refresh | Water (Aqua), Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzalkonium Chloride, Zinc Gluconate | Yes |
| Cleanse Toy Cleaner | Clean Stream | Benzalkonium Chloride (Anti-microbial), Propylene Glycol, Cocoamidopropyl Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Purified Water, Citric Acid, Zinc Gluconate. | Yes |
| Anti-Bacterial Toy Cleaner | Trinity Vibes | Benzalkonium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Purified Water, Citric Acid, Zinc Gluconate | Yes |
| Toy Hygienic Cleaner | Honeydew | Water, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Benzalkonium Chloride, Lauryl Glucoside. | Yes |
| Amaze Anti-bacterial Toy Cleaner | Amaze | Water, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Benzalkonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20. | Yes |
| Toy Cleaner-Fragrance Free | Maple Holistics | Water, Propylene Glycol, Cocomidopropyl Betaine, Benzalkonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20. | Yes |
| Toy Cleaner-Toy Therapy | Honeydew | Water, Propylene Glycol, Cocomidopropyl Betaine, Benzalkonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20. | Yes |
| 2 in 1 Clean and Protect Toy Cleaner | Maple Holistics | Water, Propylene Glycol, Cocomidopropyl Betaine, Benzalkonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20. | Yes |
| Wicked Foam and Fresh Foaming Toy Cleaner | Wicked Sensual Care Collection | Active Ingredients: Benzalkonium Chloride (0.10%). Other ingredients: Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone. | Yes |
| Advanced Smart Cleaner Foaming Toy Sanitizer | The Evolved Company | Purified Water (Aqua), Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Benzalkonium Chloride, Zinc Gluconate, Citric Acid, Phenoxethanol. | Yes |
| Toy Cleaner with Aloe Vera | CalExotics | Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Benzalkonium Chloride. | Yes |
| Before and After Adult Toy Cleaner | Before & After LLC | Water, Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Benzyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance (Parfum). | No but has other quat |
| Mighty Tidy Adult Toy Cleaner | Jelique Products | Water (Eau/Aqua), Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Benzyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance (Parfum). | No but has other quat |
Products Containing Other Harmful DisinfectantsProducts Containing Other Harmful Disinfectants
| Name of Product | Manufacturer | Ingredients in product | Contains Benzalkonium chloride? Yes/No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Toy Cleaner | California Exotics | Deionized Water, Sodium C14 16 Olefin Sulfonate, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Triclosan, Citric Acid, Methychloroisothiazone, Methylisothiazolinone, Tetrasodium EDTA | No but has Triclosan |
| Dr. Laura Berman Universal Toy Cleaner | Intimate Basics | Deionized Water, Sodium C14 16 Olefin Sulfonate, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Triclosan, Citric Acid, Methychloroisothiazone, Methylisothiazolinone, Tetrasodium EDTA. | No but has Triclosan |
| Pipedream Refresh Toy Cleaner | Pipedream | Water (Aqua), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide DEA, Sodium Carboxymethyl Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium PCA, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Diazolidinyl Urea, Citric Acid | No but has parabens |
| Doc Johnson Natural Toy Cleaner | Doc Johnson | Water, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA, Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone. | No but has MI/MCI |
| Lovehoney Fresh Toy Cleaner | Lovehoney | Aqua (Water), Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Propylene Glycol, Methulisothiazolinone. | No but has MI |
| Antibacterial (Toy) Cleaning Spray | LELO | Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium C14-16, Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Poloxamer 184, Decyl Glucoside, Chamomilla Recutita(Matricaria) Flower Extract, Thymol, Phenoxyethanol, DMDM Hydantoin, Triethanolamine | No but has DMDM Hydantoin |
| Afterglow Cleansing Tissues | Afterglow | Water, Propylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, PEG 14M, Polysorbate 20, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Bergamot, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate. | No but has Chlorhexidine |
Products Not Containing Quats
| Name of Product | Manufacturer | Ingredients in product | Contains Benzalkonium chloride? Yes/No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Foaming Toy Cleanser | Intimate Earth | Water (Aqua), Propanediol, Polysorbate 20, Gluconolactone, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Sodium Benzoate, (*Lycium Barbarum Fruit, *Cymbopogon Schoenanthus, *Aloe Barbadensis Leaf) *ORGANIC | No |
| Advanced Antibacterial Cleaner Bottle | Shibari | Deionized Water, Lauryldimoniumhydroxpropyl Decyglucosides Chloride, PEG-8, Polysorbate 20, Stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl Laurylglucosides Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Fragrance. | No |
| Cleansing Sex Toy Cleaner | Fifty Shades of Grey | Aqua, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Caprylyl Sulfonate, PEG-4 Rapeseedamide, Decyl Glucoside, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree Leaf Oil), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Limonene, Ethylhexylglycerin Phenooxyethanol, Sodium Chloride | No |
| Antibacterial Vibe Toy Wash | Wet | Water, Lauryldimonium hydroxypropyl, Decylglucosides Chloride, PEG-8, Polysorbate 20, Stearyldimonium hydroxypropyl, Laurylglucosides Chloride, Phenoxythethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Fragrance. | No |
| Swiss Navy Toy and Body Cleaner | Swiss Navy | Water, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Melaleuca Alternifolla (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Lavandula angustifolla (Lavender) Oil. | No |
| Bombex Foam Toy Cleaner | Bombex | Water, Cocoamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Alcohol Ether Sulfate, 1,2-Propanediol, Chlorhexidine di[acetate], Phenoxyethanolum. | No |
| Think Clean Thoughts Toy Cleaner | Sensuva | Water, Alcohol, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Organic Aloe Barbadensis Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Citrus Sinensis (Sweet Orange), Polysorbate, Essential Oil Blend, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate. | No |
| Sliquid Shine Toy Cleaner | Sliquid | Organic Aloe Barbadensis Devolorized Leaf Juice*, Organic Tea Tree Oil, Organic Castor Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil. *reconstituted | No |
Products for which ingredients were not available
| Name of Product | Manufacturer | Ingredients in product | Contains Benzalkonium chloride? Yes/No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-Bacterial Mist Toy Cleaner | Pink Cherry | Ingredients unavailable online. Company has been contacted for ingredient information, but have responded. | Unknown |
Product research conducted online by Women’s Voices for the Earth in December 2019, and published February 2020.
Product formulations subject to change over time.
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[1] D’Cruz, O. J., Erbeck, D., & Uckun, F. M. (2005). A Study of the Potential of the Pig as a Model for the Vaginal Irritancy of Benzalkonium Chloride in Comparison to the Nonirritant Microbicide PHI-443 and the Spermicide Vanadocene Dithiocarbamate. Toxicologic Pathology, 33(4), 465-476. doi:10.1080/01926230590959866
[2] Olszewska MA, Nynca A, Białobrzewski I, Kocot AM, Łaguna J. Assessment of the bacterial viability of chlorine- and quaternary ammonium compounds-treated Lactobacillus cells via a multi-method approach. J Appl Microbiol. 2019;126(4):1070–1080. doi:10.1111/jam.14208