Habits of the wild adult novelty.
Toys are wonderfully popular. And why shouldn't they be. They don't talk back. They are never not in the mood. They never climax prematurely. They are totally devoted to your own pleasure and pace. They're largely sanitary.
However, who really thinks about care and feeding of their sex toys?
And so tonight, I present you with a general guide.
We'll start with the vibrators. A vast majority use batteries. For those that have a cord, I really do NOT recommend using them in a bath or shower. There are some areas of the body that I'd hate to suddenly find conducting a several amps. It would be a doozy to explain to the EMTs or Emergency Room doctors. The medical examiner would probably find it interesting if you managed to turn le petite morte into le grande morte however.
One of the first things you can do to keep your vibrator kicking along longer is to remove the batteries between use. A lot of folks are unaware that even when switched off, the batteries continue to trickle low amounts of current to the motor which hastens it on its path to burning out.
If your toy has a tube or sheet of paper/plastic where the batteries slide into it, chances are excellent that it is supposed to be there. That thin layer acts to both dampen the vibration of the batteries which augments the toy's intended motion and shields the inner wires from damage. If you're unsure whether the paper belongs in your toy, carefully slide it out. If it has lots of writing, it's a warranty or directions. If, however, it is blank or has the "chalk outline" of batteries, you know it is in there to help.
If the vibe is water-proof, bear in mind that it is only water-proof on the outside. The battery/control cap needs to be seated snugly. Try to keep grit off the gaskets as that will degrade the seal.
Many toys are made out of latex or rubber. Although most people are aware, I still have those who have missed the information. Rubber and oil mix like napalm and flesh. It will eat your toy. And before you decide to whip out your handy dandy water-proof plastic vibe to use with something oil-based, it's probably water-proof because of a rubber o-ring. Also bear this in mind if you like to relax in the tub with bath oils.
Jelly, Gelee, etc. There are a variety of names given to the substance. It is chemically impregnated latex. It's widely used because its cheap, easily shaped, and is flexibly soft. Obviously, if someone has a latex allergy it's a bad option. As stated above, this would be something to avoid using with oil-based lube. The substance is porous which means it is not suited to be shared. It will degrade over time. Many will notice it has a particular scent. That would be the gas permeating it escaping. You're going to want to keep it clean. Mild detergent or toy cleaner is recommended. Anything stronger could react with the toy and you don't want to risk introducing harsh soaps to your tender regions. Do not use anything rough or abrasive, it will rip the hell out of it.
There are also a few flesh analogs on the market. Cyberskin for example. Most of them contain latex to a greater or lesser extent. The nice thing about these toys are that they generally look and feel closer to actual human parts. Injection molding is employed in some cases to vary the density allowing the inclusion of such things as testes on a dildo. In addition of needing to avoid oil-based lubes, conditioning agents are recommended to maintain the texture. Corn starch particularly. Talc is not a good option. It is also porous and requires gentle cleaning.
The other widely used material is plastic. Fairly durable, cheap, and can be shaped in almost any shape the maker desires. It's relatively non-porous, hypo-allergenic, and works with about every lube out there. On the other hand, it will scratch rather easily. It can also crack, flake, and/or discolor with age. Once again, you can't go wrong with gently washing in mild detergent. Submersion not usually a good idea.
On a related note, acrylic is also popular. It is usually a bit more brittle than plastics. More prone to splitting or fracturing. It is also somewhat porous so stuff will eventually make its way below the surface. Sharing is therefor not recommended. Gentle cleaning with non-abrasives is called for.
Silicone is a popular choice and gaining ground. It's resistant to degradation. It's non-porous, hypo-allergenic, firmly soft, and sculptable. Silicone conducts vibration very well. It works well with water or oil-based lubes (unless it has a latex component to it). Some companies use a particular silicone formulation that allows boiling or ten percent bleach solution for disinfection. Abrasive cleaners or cloths will damage the toy however. In addition, you are limited on lubes just as with a rubber or latex toy. Silicone lubricant will react with silicone toys. It doesn't eat into it, silicone tends to bond to the toy.
Pvc or vinyl is also available. In most cases, by companies that market silicone-based lubes. Seems to be a decent material. It will eventually degrade and is not an inexpensive substance. Once again, gentle washing with mild detergent as required.
Borosilicate glass or "Pyrex-like" toys have taken a rise in popularity. Many are one-of-a-kind. They look pretty and can include a number of colors. They are more durable than most people would think when glass dildo is mentioned. They do not degrade unless you subject them to trauma. Any lube known to man can be used with them. They conduct vibration. They retain temperature allowing play with heat and cold. Disinfection is a snap. Anything that won't scratch glass can be used to clean these toys. Heck, you could clean it in your dishwasher on the top rack without worry. The downside is that it is rigid. It is vulnerable to sharp blows. Although the price has gone down in the last few years, it is also not the cheapest of toys. Then again, treat it well and it will last a lifetime.
The more adventuresome can find toys crafted from exotic hardwoods. This yields a toy with a satiny finish and a somewhat warmer touch. They tend to be quite aestheticly pleasing as well. Oil-based lubes could actually be beneficial to the longevity of the toy. One needs to be aware of how it was finished, what type of varnish was employed, and any potential weak spots in the grain. They can splinter and/or crack. Letting fluids remain in extended contact will in all likihood rot your toy. Wood is also incredibly porous.
And finally there is metal. Depending on the alloy and method of manufacture, it can be a great investment or put you into the hospital. Surgical stainless steel is usually a good material. Durable, allows electro-stim, conducts temperature, good with any lube, easily cleaned. Other metals are out there and may or may not corrode. And a sex toy is not a fun way to find out your body chemistry does not agree with a particular metal.
I'll end this entry with a tip that will usually add to the time you will keep your toy healthy and pleasuring you for time to come. Throw an unlubricated condom over the toy. If small enough, tie the condom closed over it. It will protect the surface of your toy making reducing the frequency and extent of cleaning.
However, who really thinks about care and feeding of their sex toys?
And so tonight, I present you with a general guide.
We'll start with the vibrators. A vast majority use batteries. For those that have a cord, I really do NOT recommend using them in a bath or shower. There are some areas of the body that I'd hate to suddenly find conducting a several amps. It would be a doozy to explain to the EMTs or Emergency Room doctors. The medical examiner would probably find it interesting if you managed to turn le petite morte into le grande morte however.
One of the first things you can do to keep your vibrator kicking along longer is to remove the batteries between use. A lot of folks are unaware that even when switched off, the batteries continue to trickle low amounts of current to the motor which hastens it on its path to burning out.
If your toy has a tube or sheet of paper/plastic where the batteries slide into it, chances are excellent that it is supposed to be there. That thin layer acts to both dampen the vibration of the batteries which augments the toy's intended motion and shields the inner wires from damage. If you're unsure whether the paper belongs in your toy, carefully slide it out. If it has lots of writing, it's a warranty or directions. If, however, it is blank or has the "chalk outline" of batteries, you know it is in there to help.
If the vibe is water-proof, bear in mind that it is only water-proof on the outside. The battery/control cap needs to be seated snugly. Try to keep grit off the gaskets as that will degrade the seal.
Many toys are made out of latex or rubber. Although most people are aware, I still have those who have missed the information. Rubber and oil mix like napalm and flesh. It will eat your toy. And before you decide to whip out your handy dandy water-proof plastic vibe to use with something oil-based, it's probably water-proof because of a rubber o-ring. Also bear this in mind if you like to relax in the tub with bath oils.
Jelly, Gelee, etc. There are a variety of names given to the substance. It is chemically impregnated latex. It's widely used because its cheap, easily shaped, and is flexibly soft. Obviously, if someone has a latex allergy it's a bad option. As stated above, this would be something to avoid using with oil-based lube. The substance is porous which means it is not suited to be shared. It will degrade over time. Many will notice it has a particular scent. That would be the gas permeating it escaping. You're going to want to keep it clean. Mild detergent or toy cleaner is recommended. Anything stronger could react with the toy and you don't want to risk introducing harsh soaps to your tender regions. Do not use anything rough or abrasive, it will rip the hell out of it.
There are also a few flesh analogs on the market. Cyberskin for example. Most of them contain latex to a greater or lesser extent. The nice thing about these toys are that they generally look and feel closer to actual human parts. Injection molding is employed in some cases to vary the density allowing the inclusion of such things as testes on a dildo. In addition of needing to avoid oil-based lubes, conditioning agents are recommended to maintain the texture. Corn starch particularly. Talc is not a good option. It is also porous and requires gentle cleaning.
The other widely used material is plastic. Fairly durable, cheap, and can be shaped in almost any shape the maker desires. It's relatively non-porous, hypo-allergenic, and works with about every lube out there. On the other hand, it will scratch rather easily. It can also crack, flake, and/or discolor with age. Once again, you can't go wrong with gently washing in mild detergent. Submersion not usually a good idea.
On a related note, acrylic is also popular. It is usually a bit more brittle than plastics. More prone to splitting or fracturing. It is also somewhat porous so stuff will eventually make its way below the surface. Sharing is therefor not recommended. Gentle cleaning with non-abrasives is called for.
Silicone is a popular choice and gaining ground. It's resistant to degradation. It's non-porous, hypo-allergenic, firmly soft, and sculptable. Silicone conducts vibration very well. It works well with water or oil-based lubes (unless it has a latex component to it). Some companies use a particular silicone formulation that allows boiling or ten percent bleach solution for disinfection. Abrasive cleaners or cloths will damage the toy however. In addition, you are limited on lubes just as with a rubber or latex toy. Silicone lubricant will react with silicone toys. It doesn't eat into it, silicone tends to bond to the toy.
Pvc or vinyl is also available. In most cases, by companies that market silicone-based lubes. Seems to be a decent material. It will eventually degrade and is not an inexpensive substance. Once again, gentle washing with mild detergent as required.
Borosilicate glass or "Pyrex-like" toys have taken a rise in popularity. Many are one-of-a-kind. They look pretty and can include a number of colors. They are more durable than most people would think when glass dildo is mentioned. They do not degrade unless you subject them to trauma. Any lube known to man can be used with them. They conduct vibration. They retain temperature allowing play with heat and cold. Disinfection is a snap. Anything that won't scratch glass can be used to clean these toys. Heck, you could clean it in your dishwasher on the top rack without worry. The downside is that it is rigid. It is vulnerable to sharp blows. Although the price has gone down in the last few years, it is also not the cheapest of toys. Then again, treat it well and it will last a lifetime.
The more adventuresome can find toys crafted from exotic hardwoods. This yields a toy with a satiny finish and a somewhat warmer touch. They tend to be quite aestheticly pleasing as well. Oil-based lubes could actually be beneficial to the longevity of the toy. One needs to be aware of how it was finished, what type of varnish was employed, and any potential weak spots in the grain. They can splinter and/or crack. Letting fluids remain in extended contact will in all likihood rot your toy. Wood is also incredibly porous.
And finally there is metal. Depending on the alloy and method of manufacture, it can be a great investment or put you into the hospital. Surgical stainless steel is usually a good material. Durable, allows electro-stim, conducts temperature, good with any lube, easily cleaned. Other metals are out there and may or may not corrode. And a sex toy is not a fun way to find out your body chemistry does not agree with a particular metal.
I'll end this entry with a tip that will usually add to the time you will keep your toy healthy and pleasuring you for time to come. Throw an unlubricated condom over the toy. If small enough, tie the condom closed over it. It will protect the surface of your toy making reducing the frequency and extent of cleaning.
posted by Lanius at 9:56 PM
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