‘I’m actually mortified’: Laura Henshaw’s sex toy ’hygiene fail’

Australian fitness influencer Laura Henshaw has raised eyebrows after admitting to a personal “hygiene fail” involving her sex toys.

Aussie fitness influencer Laura Henshaw has raised eyebrows after admitting to a personal “hygiene fail”.

The Melbourne-based former model, who co-founded health and wellness empire Kic alongside Steph Claire Smith, was discussing how frequently women should wash their sex toys on an episode of the pair’s KICPOD podcast earlier this week.

While the 30-year-old shared that she does clean her own, she then confessed: “I’m being honest with you – I’m actually mortified that I’m saying this out loud but I am here for you guys. I don’t wash it every time.”

Steph Claire Smith. Picture: KICPOD/Instagram

Laura Henshaw. Picture: KICPOD/Instagram

Sharing the segment to the show’s Instagram, Henshaw asked whether she was “alone” in her admission.

“Guys why do you make me feel so comfortable that I can admit these hygiene fails in a public forum like this and am dying but also love that I can tell you this with no judgment (sic)???” she captioned the clip.

“ALSO AM I ALONE HERE?!”

‘Guys why do you make me feel so comfortable that I can admit these hygiene fails in a public forum like this and am dying.’ Picture: KICPOD/Instagram

Sexual wellness brand Normal responded that Henshaw was “100% not alone”.

“But awesome topic to be educating on because it can increase risk of infections if not washed every time,” the company explained.

“Recommended practice: every time! Keeps you and them in great condition.”

Dozens of women revealed that they washed theirs “every single time” – while one jokingly asked if “using a baby wipe counts”.

Others wrote that it depended on whether the toy had been used for external or internal stimulation.

Sex toys can ‘collect dust, bodily fluids, lube, dirt, and invisible harmful bacteria’ – hence the need to keep them clean.

According to Normal, sex toys can “collect dust, bodily fluids, lube, dirt, and invisible harmful bacteria” – hence the need to keep them clean.

“All of this can then be transferred back to our own body when we use them again,” the brand explained.

“This can lead to a bacterial infection like bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, or even STIs, which can be passed between partners who share the same sex toys but don’t clean them before swapping.”

Stainless steel or Pyrex toys can be cleaned by submerging them in boiling water for a few minutes, while most vibrators can be cleaned by wiping them down with an antibacterial cleaning product and warm water, Normal advised. They should also be stored in a “dry, clean environment”.

“Make sure you dry off your vibes with a clean towel before you put them away, as damp toys can grow mould — and don’t leave them next to your deodorant stick, fake tan bottle, or any other germ-carrying things.”