Where Can I Hide My Sex Toys at My Parent's House?
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Dear Skins Sexual Health,
I’m a student living away at university most of the year, but during breaks and holidays I always go back to my parents’ house. The thing is, I have a couple of vibrators I like to use regularly, and I really don’t want to leave them behind when I’m travelling back home. I’ve had them for a while and they’re part of my routine, they help me relax, unwind, and feel good, especially during stressful times.
But I’m always worried about where to hide them at my parents’ house. I still have my old bedroom there, but obviously my mum comes in sometimes, and I have younger siblings who tend to poke around too. I want to keep things private and avoid any awkward discoveries, but I also don’t want to stop using them just because I’m at home.
What’s the best way to store or hide my toys discreetly while I’m there?
Dear Randy Rabbit,
This is probably one of the more common (and quietly shared) dilemmas for anyone balancing a healthy sex life with the realities of living under someone else’s roof, especially when that someone happens to be your parents. First, good on you for being open with yourself about pleasure. There’s nothing wrong with having sex toys, and certainly nothing wrong with enjoying them. The challenge is purely logistical.
Let’s break down a few sensible, discreet strategies that should help you maintain your privacy without causing panic every time someone opens a drawer.
Why Discretion Matters More Than Shame
Let’s be honest, your sex toys aren’t shameful, but discretion still matters.
Living at home, even temporarily, creates a strange collision between your adult autonomy and your childhood space. You’re navigating adult desires in a house that might still have traces of teddy bears or schoolbooks. And while there's no need to feel embarrassed about your sexuality, you might also not want to invite awkward conversations with your mum over breakfast because she happened to tidy your room and found something she wasn’t expecting.
The key is understanding that this isn’t about hiding something bad. It’s about preserving your privacy and your parents' comfort zones. You’re not doing anything wrong but they don’t necessarily need (or want) to know the details.
That said, the awkwardness isn't only about discovery. It’s also about interruptions. You don’t want your things discovered by a nosy younger sibling, an overly helpful relative who decides to do a surprise deep clean, or even a parent rummaging for something innocuous.
So hiding your toys isn't so much about guilt, it’s about logistics, boundaries, and maintaining a bit of peace in a shared home.
Before we get into hiding spots, here’s a short checklist to keep in mind:
- Clean your sex toys thoroughly before storage, especially if you won't access it often
- Wrap or bag each toy in a cloth pouch or resealable bag to keep things hygienic and discreet
- Avoid heat and humidity. Bathrooms for example are tempting but risky, they can cause deterioration over time
Bedroom Hiding Spots That Make Sense
Your bedroom is probably your safest base of operations, so it makes sense to start there. Even if you share a room, or if someone comes in unannounced, there are ways to keep things tucked away.
Inside everyday containers
One of the simplest strategies is to use containers that look boring and familiar. Nobody questions a shoebox under the bed or a pencil case in a drawer. It’s the classic disguise: put the thing people shouldn’t see inside something they won’t look twice at.
Some ideas:
- A shoebox with old receipts, a tangled phone charger, and a few random bits on top
- An old toiletries bag tucked in the back of a drawer
- A zipped pouch at the bottom of a tote bag in your wardrobe
The key here is unremarkable. A glittery cosmetics bag labelled “SECRET STUFF” might attract more curiosity than a plain cardboard box.
Clothes can hide a lot
This one’s simple but effective: bury things in the middle of a stack of clothes.
Clean socks or folded scarves are ideal because they’re soft, create a buffer, and no one really ever goes digging through them.
Think:
- Inside a roll-up hoodie at the back of your wardrobe
- In a sock at the bottom of a drawer, especially if that drawer has other clutter
- Under a stack of winter jumpers that no one's touched since February
Again, it’s not just about hiding something, it’s about making sure it’s where people wouldn’t casually go.
Multi-purpose hiding
If you’ve got a suitcase stored under your bed or a weekend bag you only use occasionally, this can be a perfect decoy. Just pop your toys in a smaller pouch inside and leave the bag mostly full. You can even store them wrapped in spare underwear or a travel kit.
Bonus tip: add a label like “uni notes” or “old books” if you want extra misdirection.
When You Share a Bathroom: Being Cautious with Storage
Sometimes the bathroom feels like the most logical place. After all, a lot of solo play happens before or after showers. It’s private, the fan’s on, the door’s locked, it just makes sense.
But when you're in a shared house, especially with family the bathroom becomes complicated territory. You may not have a dedicated shelf or cupboard, and even if you do, it’s not usually locked.
So, can you still hide things here? Yes. But it takes care.
Use toiletry bags with compartments
If you already have a bathroom bag, something you carry from your room to the bathroom that can be the best disguise. Nobody ever thinks twice about a toiletry bag. And if you keep it zipped and never leave it lying open, no one’s likely to discover anything.
Look for one with multiple pockets or a hidden compartment. That way, you can have one section for razors, toothbrushes, and innocent things... and a sneaky back pocket for the less innocent.
Even better: have a pouch within the bag. That way, if someone does unzip it, they’re still faced with another sealed layer before reaching anything awkward.
Think about heat and steam
Most sex toys, especially silicone or battery-operated ones don’t do well in steamy environments. Over time, heat and moisture can cause warping, battery issues, or even subtle changes to texture.
If you must leave something in the bathroom, make sure it’s not directly exposed. For example:
- Store it in an airtight box high on a shelf
- Keep it in a cabinet away from the shower area
- Wrap it in a dry cloth to protect it from humidity
But honestly? If you're in a house where someone else could easily stumble across your stuff while reaching for a fresh towel or bottle of shampoo, the bathroom might be too risky.
Unless you have your own en-suite with a lock, it’s usually safer to bring your toys in and out as needed.
Long-Term Storage: For When You’re Not Using Them Often
Maybe you only use your toys when you’re back at university. Or perhaps you have a few favourites you reach for regularly, and others you rarely touch. In that case, it might make sense to create a two-tier system: regular-use and long-term storage.
Hiding in plain sight
Here’s something that works surprisingly well — using everyday storage items for long-term hiding.
For example:
- A decorative box on a shelf that looks like it holds jewellery or makeup
- An old laptop bag zipped and stored upright behind other things
- A stationery organiser in a desk drawer with one empty-looking section
None of these scream "secret compartment", but they do the job.
What matters most here is:
- Accessibility (you don't want to dig for 15 minutes every time)
- Disguise (avoid anything with novelty prints or that seems off in the room)
- Layering (the more steps someone would need to take to find it, the safer you are)
Consider a small lockbox
This might feel a bit formal, but it’s not a bad shout. You can get small lockboxes (some with combination locks, others with a key) that are intended for valuables but there’s no rule saying you can’t use them for private things.
They’re especially useful if:
- You have siblings that like to snoop
- You want to store several items and not worry about who's around
- You don't want to wrap or rehide everything every single time
Privacy Without Panic
Ultimately, hiding sex toys in your parents’ house is less about being secretive and more about managing space, boundaries, and timing.
What matters isn’t perfection, you don’t have to create a military-grade hiding system. You just need something that feels safe enough that you’re not constantly worried.
And, maybe most importantly, it’s okay to prioritise your needs. Even in a family home. Even under someone else’s roof.
You're entitled to privacy, to comfort, and yes, to pleasure. Just be smart about it, and you'll be fine.
