Buying a self pleasure toy is a personal investment. And like any investment, ensuring the longevity of your sex toy can also ensure the longevity of your relationship with pleasure. If you listen to the ridiculous rumours among friend circles about how to maintain your sex toy, you might end up ruining a good ol’ handy product. Someone once told me they’d applied castor oil on their handheld vibrator to make sure it is “deep-cleaned” before washing. I also heard a rumor about someone using rubbing alcohol to sanitize the vibrator. Someone on Tumblr once described the experience of actually using hand sanitizer on the vibrator. It’s.. a vibrator, not Covid19.
These are horrific things you could do to a vibrator. (Can we just please immediately decide never ever to apply any form of oil on a vibrator? Thank you. But here’s what you can do to ensure your toys enjoy a happy, long (shelf) life:
1. NOTE THE MATERIAL
Vibrators made of steel or wood or other non-porous materials have simple enough cleaning requirements. All you need to do is wash them with warm water and a mild soap, before and after use.
But vibrators that use porous materials like jelly could react with your skin. If you’re still keen on trying them out, using a condom as a protective layer over the vibrator would be a good idea.
2. DON’T STUFF YOUR VIBRATOR WITH YOUR UNDERWEAR
Even with the best washing and cleaning methods, it’s advisable to not keep your vibrator in your goody drawer. Don’t listen to the movies where women stuff their vibrators with their underwear. Say you forget to wash your sex toy one day and stuff it with your underwear out of habit, that could cause unnecessary infections. Our take is to make sure you put it away inside your bedside table drawer or in a clean bag.
3. ALWAYS KEEP YOUR VIBRATOR DRY
After thoroughly washing it with soap and water, make sure you pat your toy dry thoroughly. Once it is completely dry, slip it into the case it came in before placing it inside a dry, clean area. All MsChief toys come encased in soft satin bags that are best for storage. Water-proof or not, it is best to not expose your vibrator to too much moisture at all times.
4. HOW FREQUENTLY DO YOU WASH YOUR VIBRATOR?
Well, that’s a no-brainer. Wash it as often as possible. Definitely before and after use. A lot of people assume it is okay to not wash their toys before using them, but that’s not what experts recommend. When you wash the vibrator, do it at least for 20 to 30 seconds to ensure it is thoroughly clean. If you’re not using it frequently (hey, we all have those periods), just take it out and give it a good clean and put it back.
5. THE RIGHT LUBE GOES A LONG WAY
Like we said, no oil business on your vibrator during masturbation. Doctors and sexologists always recommend using water-based lubricants over oil-based lubricants. This not only protects your clitoris and the vulval skin but also the material of the vibrator. Buying a great vibrator but not investing in a good quality lube is like buying a sports car and using diluted fuel.
6. SEX TOY CLEANERS – YAY OR NAH?
Well, it entirely depends on your use and comfort. Toy cleaners certainly do an effective job of cleaning your toys and are quick to use. Many experts believe that using soap and water should be more than effective to keep your toys clean, but toy cleaners save you time if you’re in a time crunch (that hustle life ain’t gonna wait, right?). Good on you to make some time for self-pleasure even when you’re in a hurry. Toy cleaners could be a good investment if you have a variety of toys that have different cleaning requirements. It’s not a bad idea to consider buying one.
Although vibrators made by reputable sex toy manufacturers are always hardy and require little maintenance, following the steps above could give the shelf life of your beloved toys the extra push. If your home needs regular maintenance and spring cleaning for a healthy environment, wouldn’t the wonderful things that make intimacy better benefit from the same?
