CARING FOR IMPACT TOYS 1: FLOGGERS

Floggers and other impact play tools are beautiful beasts that demand maintenance. Careing for them not only keeps them hygienic and safe for skin contact, but also significantly extends their lifespan.

I cannot emphasize it enough how important it is to clean impact play items on a regular basis.

Even without visible blood or fluids, skin contact can transfer sweat, skin oils, bacteria, and microscopic amounts of bodily fluid onto the flogger. Over time, this can cause unpleasant odors, bacterial growth, or potential health risks - especially if the flogger is used on multiple people or sensitive areas like genitals.

Here are my key tips for caring for your floggers and other tools.

1. Buy Good Quality Pieces

Start with quality. Invest in floggers made from high-grade leather and solid, well-crafted hardware. Cheap leather or poorly constructed tools are not only less durable but can also be unsafe during use (e.g., breaking off of the dye, snapping handles, or developing sharp edges over time).

2. Clean Them Regularly

Just like skincare, consistent and gentle cleaning is the secret to healthy skin - and healthy leather. I recommend cleaning your floggers every 3–5 sessions, or immediately after an intense scene, even if there’s no visible blood or body fluid.

Laundry day!

Here’s how I like to clean my leather floggers:

1. Prepare a bath using lukewarm water and a small amount of mild soap (like saddle soap or baby shampoo).

2. Submerge and gently wash the falls, avoiding soaking the handle if it’s made of wood or non-waterproof material.

3. Rinse thoroughly with clean, lukewarm water.

4. Put them on a clean towel, then pat gently to remove excess water.

5. Air-dry by hanging, making sure to separate the falls by hand occasionally as they dry. This prevents them from sticking together.

6. Once nearly dry, apply a small amount of avocado oil to a clean cloth and massage it into the leather - go from one fall to another. Avocado oil is skin-safe, natural, and helps soften and nourish the leather. And it doesn’t smell.

   Avoid oiling non-leather parts like plastic or metal handles - these may become slippery.

7. Let the oil absorb fully before storing or using the flogger again.

Caring for Impact Toys Used on Genitalia

Impact toys used on or near genital areas require extra care due to the risk of bacterial transfer and microtears in the skin.

• Leather floggers should ideally be dedicated to one person only when used on genitalia, as leather is hard to disinfect thoroughly. Even with careful cleaning, there’s no guarantee that bacteria or bodily fluids are completely removed.

• For genital play, my recommendation would be to use tools that are easily kept clean, such as rubber floggers. They can be cleaned using hot water and mild soap, immediately after use, and even disinfected with medical-grade cleaners if needed.

• The same is true for chain / metal floggers: they are non-porous, easy to clean with soap and hot water, and can also be wiped down with alcohol-based disinfectants. Just be sure to dry them fully to prevent rust or corrosion.

Does it seem like a lot of effort just for flogging? That’s because it is. But it comes with the territory. Get used to it—and consider carefully whether a scene with someone is worth the work of giving your flogger a proper cleaning afterward.