Tips for Taking Care of Your Sex Toys

Afterglow Sex Toy Cleaning Wipes

Especially with how expensive sex toys can get, it’s important to take care of them.  With as much work as we put some of our toys through, and considering the sensitive places where we use those toys, we really need to work at keeping them in tip top shape.  As such, it’s important to take care of your toys; to keep them clean and store them properly between uses.

The first step in taking care of your sex toys is to keep them clean.  There are many varieties of antibacterial toy cleaners which you can use to clean any type of sex toy before and after use.  It’s important to clean toy before use, as well as after.  Before use, it’s important because the toys can collect lint, dust and other stuff that floats around in the air.  Even just rinsing the toy off first works, as we don’t want that lint and other stuff to get in our parts.  I like to use antibacterial toy wipes before I use my toys as the bathroom is very out of the way and many of many favorite toys are in my bedroom.

For cleaning after sex, it’s important to clean in all the crevices and dips you can find in toys, as fluids can get in there and then dry, which can lead to a lot of bacterial growth.  It’s important to use body safe soap as well as hot water.  For glass, pure silicone and other heat resistant toys without motors you can boil them.  5-10 minutes, depending on the size of the toy and how many you’re cleaning works just fine.  Also, a 10% bleach solution (so 1 part bleach to 10 parts water) works well also, so long as you ensure to rinse the toy completely.

It’s important to remember that unless your toy is completely non-porous, such as 100% silicone, metal or glass, your toy will never be wholly clean, as bodily fluids will get into the tiny pores and you won’t be able to clean them out.  As such, it’s always in your best interest to get totally non-porous sex toys.  Also, when it comes to toys used anally or shard, it’s imperative to get non-porous toys and then fully sterilize them before sharing or use again.  And never, ever take a sex toy from the anus to the vagina without fully sterilizing it first, or using condoms.

As for storing your toys, many toys cannot touch, or else there could be a reaction between the materials they’re made out of, which can ruin your toys.  The safest rule of thumb is to simply just store your toys so none of them touch.  Glass toys, wood or metal toys and ceramic toys are safe to touch each other and toys of the same material.  Plastics, jelly toys and silicone toys really shouldn’t touch each other or toys of the same material as a chemical reaction could occur which would damage the toys.

What I do is I keep each toy wrapped in cloth.  Sometimes I use the same piece of cloth, I just ensure that there is a couple folds of cloth between them.  Also, you can simply use the package that the toy came in, if it came in anything substantial.    Sometimes this is the best way to go, especially if the packaging is awesome and substantial, such as with Evolved toys.

Lastly for storage, it’s important to ensure your toys are safe.  Last thing you want is for them to get broken by accidentally being stepped on, or sliding off of a shelf.

So, the long and short of it is; take care of your sex toys. You spend your hard earned money on them, and you insert them into your bits and use them on your parts.  The better you take care of them, the longer they’ll last and the more you’ll be able to use them.

A breakdown of sex toys.

There’s a lot of different kinds of sex toys out there.  So I thought I’d break some of it down for you, to help separate some of the toys, what they are, what they’re typically used for, and how they’re used.

The Dildo

Perhaps the most recognizable sex toy, the dildo has been around for longer than many people realize.  Dildos come in shapes from realistic (meaning it looks very much like a real penis, typically uncircumcised) to unrealistic, possibly looking like a rose or some other, non-penile shape.

Dildos are typically used for vaginal penetration, though some are also able to be used for anal penetration.  For safety purposes, only use dildos with a flared base and that are also non-porous (so that they may be sterilized) for anal penetration.

Typically non-intimidating, a dildo is often the first sex toy a woman will purchase.  They are simple to use, don’t usually require batteries and come in a wide variety of sizes, colors and shapes.

The Vibrator

Vibrators really are more than a dildo that vibrates. For the most part, vibrating dildos are simply dildos that have a slot for a small vibrator (typically a bullet.)  They are typically realistic in shape and made of a soft material.  Actual vibrators, on the other hand, are made around the motor and vibrator, meaning that the vibrator is not removable.

Vibrators come in endless colors, shapes and sizes, as well as types.  From rabbits to g-spot vibrators to clitoral vibrators there is a vibrator made for any purpose.  As they sound, g-spot vibrators are made with a “hook” or nub at the end of it, to help the user reach and then stimulate the g-spot.  The clitoral vibrators are round and thin, without much substantial size so that one may target the clitoris.  Many clitoral vibrators can sit snugly between the labia.  Rabbits have a shaft for internal vaginal stimulation as well as a clitoral stimulator, so that both areas may be stimulated simultaneously.

Typically run on batteries, many sex toy companies are getting on the green bandwagon and making their sex toys rechargeable.

Vaginal Balls

Vaginal balls are small, body safe balls that typically are hollow, with another weighted ball inside of them.  Most vaginal balls are two balls, connected by a string with another retrieval string at the end of one of the balls.   A few are single balls with a retrieval string, and also you can find some which have no retrieval string, that you remove by simply using your pc muscles.  Some, like the Luna Balls offer a couple different options, working with one or two balls of different weights.

Vaginal balls are excellent for women who have had children and/or who are experiencing difficult controlling their bladder.  The reason for this is that doing regular exercises with vaginal balls (or kegel exercises without the balls) most certainly help strengthen the pc muscles.  This will increase your continence and there are many instances where this increased muscle control will also increase the pleasure you receive during sex.

The vaginal balls strengthen muscles by you holding them in.  They are weighted, so you squeeze your muscles around the balls, holding them inside your vagina.  By squeezing your muscles, holding the balls in, then releasing your muscles you exercise the muscles just like you exercise any other body part.

Anal Plug

Anal plugs are anal safe sex toys that get inserted into the rectum and then kept there.  They come in several materials, from silicone which is best for beginners as it gives, to steel which is more advanced, as there’s no give to it. Typically they do not vibrate and simply sit there.  While this may seem unexciting, there are many good reasons to use anal plugs.

First, you can work your way up from small plugs to larger ones to get your bottom used to having something larger in there.  This is a great thing to do if you wish to experiment with anal sex at some point in time.  Secondly, it can simply be enjoyable for the different sensations having something in your bottom can give.  Thirdly, using an anal plug is an awesome way to experience double penetration for women; having something both in your butt and vagina.

Anal plugs are great because you can wear them for long periods of time.  You can put an anal plug in then go do your errands!  This is a lovely and erotic way to spend some time during your day as no one else will know you’ve stuck something in your bum!  This can be a naughty secret between you and your lover, or something only you know.

Anal Probe

Basically, anal probes are anal vibrators.  They come in many shapes and sizes and are made specifically for anal use.  It’s always important to ensure that they’re non-porous so you can fully clean and sterilize them as well as ensure there’s a large flared handle so that it won’t get stuck up there; you can’t push things out of your bottom the same way a woman can push something out of her vagina.

Many anal probes are made specifically for men and thus are designed to simulate the prostate.  This is a wonderful and healthy thing for men to do as it can give a unique orgasm all of it’s own; it also does not, in any way, mean someone is bi or homosexual.

Anal Beads

Anal beads are sort of like anal plugs, but they are smaller and longer.  Anal beads are  an excellent thing to start with if you’re a beginner to anal play.  They have several beads or bumps on a body safe string or piece of silicone.  You can pop one in then after a few seconds of acclimation go ahead and put in the next one, which is a tad bit bigger.  You can then keep going (each bead/bump is a tad bit bigger than the one before) until you’ve inserted them all, or until you’ve reached the largest one you wish to use.

Also similar to anal plugs, these can be worn for extended periods of time while you are having sex, doing chores or running errands.  Anal beads are wonderful to have in while having sex.  You can experience double penetration, but also, typically, the man can feel the beads on his penis through the vaginal/anal wall which will give him unique sensations and increase the uniqueness and pleasure during sex.

The One You Can’t Live Without Contest!

Vibes!

So the other day I wrote about my favorite sex toy.  Rabbits are my favorite style, and currently the Tripler is my favorite rabbit.  And so, in the spirit of favorite sex toys and ones we just couldn’t make do without, I’d like to assist a couple of you with getting one of those awesome toys that you just can’t make do without!!

So we’re having a CONTEST!!  Yay!!

To Enter

Leave one comment, telling me about your favorite sex toy, and why you love it so much.  You’ll need to convince me that you truly love the toy!  The most passionate entry(entries, as there’ll be 3 winners) will win!!  A couple rules about this:

- Try to be tasteful and use appropriate words (eg – vagina, penis, clit).

- Don’t be afraid to tell me that it makes you squirt, or that it finds your prostate without fail.

- I wanna hear it all!!Try to make it longer than just 2 or 3 sentences.

- Include a story if you will, to illustrate why you enjoy the toy so much!!

Rules

You must be of, or above the legal age of consent where you live.  (For most places this is 18 years old.)  Also, you can only enter once.  You also must be in the United States or Canada, where Vibrator.com ships.   The contest ends Friday July 15th at Midnight, Pacific Time. I will announce the winners on Saturday July 16th.   I will then email you, and will need a response with your mailing address within 48 hours, or another winner will have to be picked.

Prizes

Grand prize – $50 gift certificate for Vibrator.com

2 Runner’s Up – 1 $25 gift certificate for Vibrator.com (each will get 1)

SO ENTER BELOW!

Photo By: Twice Pix

When I Masturbate…

Even after all this time sometimes I still worry about what others would think if they saw me.  The strange part is though, if there is a chance that people could see me (like through open blinds or something) then it’s like, extra better for me!  I suppose that’s the exhibitionist in me.  They way I look at it; if someone’s watching then they want to watch, otherwise they wouldn’t, ya know?  However I don’t much like to watch myself so I suppose that’s where the issues come from.

Thing is, I’m a creature that thrives on routine and consistency.  While I don’t mind doing something spontaneously, if there’s any sort of routine change I tend to tweak out a little bit.  However sexually, I like variety, as does my body.  So in the end, sometimes I still end up masturbating in the same way as always because it then avoids any of those weird feelings plus, in the end, it gets the job done quick.

When I really want something special though, I tend to make a pretty big production out of it.  Thus, it doesn’t frequently happen.  First off I typically don’t have free all the time it takes to make such a big production.  I’ll take up to a half hour to prepare for it, while making plans for a day or two prior.  Plus, I’ll take at least a half hour to clean up as well.  I’ll have movies picked out for background, candles and will re-arrange the living room so I have all the space I need.

I also typically have several toys out, if not 2 or 3 toyboxes sitting out for me to get whatever toy or toys I want.  Plus I’ll have all kinds of lube ready, a towel or two, nipple clamps, anal toys, a blanket or two to lay on so I don’t get the couch dirty, and things of that nature.  These tend to be incredible masturbation sessions where I will use 10 or more toys just ‘cuz I get so into the mood I want every sensation I can get.  It’s during these sessions where I often will be able to ejaculate a little bit.  That’s always exciting for me as it takes so very much for me to be able to do so.

It then takes me quite some time to clean up.  First, I need to recoup a bit LOL  Then I need to clean up all my toys and get them put away and all the porn put away and the towels and blankets put away.  Typically I just end up showering ‘cuz I’m covered in lube and my own sexual juices.

Regardless of how I masturbate though; taking 2 hours out of my day or just grabbing one toy and having a 10 minute quickie with myself, I love it.  It’s so fun, it’s wonderful stress relief and if my blinds are open I get to have a little exhibitionist fun as well.  Granted I live on the 2nd floor and there’s no way anyone could see me on the couch unless they’re literally right in front of my window..that’s not the point! LOL

How do you like to masturbate?  Quickies or involved set ups?

Plus Sized Sex

So often when reading about sex and sexuality and sex toys and all that, there are many issues which are addressed.  Different sexual orientations.  Issues resulting from sexual abuse.  Transgender issues.  It’s very rare though, to see someone talking about issues surrounding being plus sized.  Sure there’s plenty of discussion of self esteem and how it’s healthy to masturbate, but how often do you see suggestions on sex toys that are easier for larger women to use?  How often do you see suggestions on sex positions that are easier for plus sized people to get into?

Personally, I’ve only seen one book where plus sizes were addressed and the only suggestions on toys for plus sized women was a post written by me quite some time ago.  So, in the interest of promoting awesome masturbation for us plus sized girls, here’s a couple of my favorite toys, and some tips for us plus sized women!

Evolved Bendable You Too —  While this vibrator, unfortunately, doesn’t have Evolved’s standard rockin’ tins to keep it in, it’s bendy nature and lengthy size make it great for reaching hard to reach places!  It’s almost 9″ long, so when you have it elongated and not bent it can easily reach around extra flesh, it can easily fit inside thick labia and can help you reach if you’re unable to reach your fingers or hands down there.  Plus, with how bendable it is you can easily shape it exactly how you want and need it.  Not to mention the long cord for the power pack, so you don’t have to worry too much about where it is or how far away it is.

Share Dildo — Now, yes.  The intended purpose of this dildo is to be inserted into one female, and then that female has sex with someone else using the dildo as it’s inserted into her vagina.  However.  Look at the size and shape of this baby! That short end makes a perfect handle!  So it’s super easy for you to lay back, hold onto it and it’s size and length makes it easy to reach around extra flesh and still make it into your vagina so you can pleasure yourself.

TIPS:

Position aids, like the Liberator Wedge are really a girls best friend.  First off then can help you (anybody really) get into positions that may otherwise be difficult to achieve.  One thing though, to try, is if you’re in doggy style slap a pillow two under your belly. This will help to not only give your upper body some support so your arms dont’ have to take all the weight but also it can help give your stomach support so it’s not all pulling on your back.

If you want to have a leg or two in the air try laying on the couch and putting one up on the back of the couch.  By hooking a foot up there you can have a leg up without having to hold it up yourself or have your partner hold it for you.  That way you either don’t have to worry about that, or you and/or your partner can hold your other leg up and you can have the variety of position with a leg or two up.  This position sort of mimics doggy style and also makes it easier to achieve g-spot stimulation.

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Do you have any tips for plus sized people wanting to masturbate and have sex?  Or, are you plus sized and would like tips?  Please, leave a comment!!

My first dildo

So, I was 27 before I really was comfortable using sex toys.  However I bought my first sex toy when I was 20.  Knowing nothing about sex toys I just chose one that looked like it was a good size and it was a pretty purple color.  It was just a simple jelly dildo, probably cost me less than $10.  I think I bought it more to be able to say that I had one, rather than because I really wanted to use one.

The thing is; I never actually used it.  I was always nervous, almost embarrassed to use it.  I would get really, really horny, and take it out and look at it, but wouldn’t use it.  Eventually I’d insert it maybe once, and then start feeling things I’d never felt before, both physically and emotionally, and I’d get scared so I wouldn’t use it anymore.

Now by that time I had been sexually active, previously.  So I had experienced vaginal penetration by a couple different sized and shaped penises.  So it wasn’t the size and/or shape that threw me off.  I think it was that I was … well, penetrating myself.  While interpreting my feelings so long after the fact I think I felt like I shouldn’t have to masturbate, I never had a shortage of partners so it wasn’t like I wasn’t getting any.

Growing up in the upper Midwest things like sex toys, masturbation, kink and all that were very taboo and hush-hush.  There was something “wrong” with you if you masturbated or wanted unusual things.  It is entirely possible that part of my nervousness with using the dildo came with the fact that the only adult store in my home town was very run down, dark, dank and shabby.  The place that even during the day I wouldn’t ever go into alone.  Granted it’s cleaned up now, when you buy something in a place that’s that creepy the experience leaves it’s mark.

In the end I got rid of the toy; I never really used it.  And I certainly didn’t finger myself.  It wasn’t until a few years later when my husband left me that I got a couple vibrators and actually used them from time to time.  And now I’m an avid sex toy reviewer with bins overflowing with toys!

So, share with us your first experience(s) with a sex toy!  Were you all over it, or nervous like I was?

Photo by: The Chanel ( Sepia Dildos)

Rabbit Vibrators: The Rolls Royce of the Vibrating World

Rabbit Vibrators are the “Rolls Royce” of the vibrating world according to Oprah–”O” Magazine, June 2008. Ever since that famous episode on “Sex and the City” when prudish Charlotte receives the Rabbit Habit from her friend Miranda and hides away for days with her new love addiction, Rabbit vibrators have grown in popularity and have become the best-selling type of vibrator in the world. This original Rabbit has spawned hundreds of similar rabbit vibrators, all varying in design and complexity, from those that flutter the clitoris with multiple speeds, to gyrating, pulsating, multi-functional, dual-action super-heroines designed to take you to ecstasy.

But, let’s back up a bit.

The original Rabbit vibrator was invented in Japan over 25 years ago. Back then it was taboo to depict phallic sex toys, so a Japanese sex toy designer came up with the idea of disguising their toys by creating animal caricatures to hide their intended function: masturbation. Soon, women the world over learned that these whimsical creatures were not only cute, but functional as well. So began the Rabbit vibrator craze that swept through women’s bedrooms faster than a bunny on steroids.

Today, there are literally hundreds of Rabbit vibrators (also known as dual-action vibes) to choose from with many complex functions including multiple speeds, multi-directional rotations, as well as gyrating, escalating, pulsating, waving and fluttering vibration options. This makes it very difficult to find the one that is right for you. So let’s take a moment to break down the components of these sex toys and explore their basic functions.

Rabbit Vibrators are comprised of several features:

All these features combined made for a super-heroine sex toy that works together simultaneously to pleasure women, giving them the most intense orgasms they have experienced in their life.

Types of Rabbits

Rabbit Habit and Rabbit Pearl

The Rabbit Habit and the Rabbit Pearl, made by Vibratex, are the two most famous Rabbits. Both have penetrating shafts, rotating beads at the base and vibrating clitoral bunny ears. The Rabbit Pearl is the #1 selling vibrator in America and features a rotating shaft that swerves around to hit the G-spot and the control panel power pack with sliding controls is attached via a wire. The Rabbit Habit is similar in function to the Rabbit Pearl, but has its control panel with sliding buttons attached at the base of the toy. The sliding controls on each toy allow you to control the functions of the shaft and bunny ears independently or simultaneously as well as controlling speed and intensity. These toys are made of phthalate-free elastomer.

Sue Johanson’s Rabbits

Sue Johanson is Canada’s foremost sex counselor and now has brought her show to American viewers on Talk Sex with Sue Johanson on Oxygen TV. Sue endorses few products and the Royal Surfer is one of those. The Royal Surfer features a dolphin, rather than a rabbit as the clitoral stimulator and is made of soft, non-porous silicone. The clitoral dolphin head flickers the clitoris in 3 speeds, while the shaft features wavy ridges and rotates forward and reverse. This toy is also waterproof. The Royal Wizard is a curvy vibrator, also made of silicone with a vibrating clitoral stimulator and a rotating shaft for G-spot stimulation. Also has 3 speeds and is waterproof.

Rock Your World

The Rock Your World rabbit vibrator features butterfly wings instead of the usual bunny ears which flutters the entire clitoral area and labia (no missing with this toy) and a bendable G-spot stimulation shaft that rotates and vibrates at the head. It also features tiny Elastomer ticklers from the top of the toy to its base that add extra internal sensations.

Decadent Indulgence 1 and 2

The Decadent Indulgence comes in original Decadent Indulgence and an expanded Decadent Indulgence 2. The original Decadent Indulgence has a thicker shaft that the second and large metal beads that rotate around, as well as a hummingbird clitoral stimulator that is very intense. The original also has a 5th control button that allows you to cycle through various functions including 3 clitoral patterns, shaft rotation and reverse as well as speeds. The Decadent Indulgence 2 has over 300 functions, a slightly slimmer shaft and bunny ears instead of a hummingbird. The 300 functions include 10 speeds, escalating functions, rotating beads, and adjustable internal and external speeds as well as a button to cycle through all the functions. Both toys are made from jelly.

Triple Treat Rabbit Vibrator

Now, if you want triple stimulation, then the Triple Treat Rabbit Vibrator is the rabbit for you. This toy has the usual vibrating shaft and vibrating clitoral stimulator, but has added an extra vibrating slim shaft for rear entry. So you can stimulate the vagina, clitoris and anus all at once.

The popularity of Rabbit Vibrators lies in their diversity, the multiple functions they offer, and the dual stimulation. Approximately 70% of women do not orgasm from vaginal penetration alone, which is why adding clitoral stimulation is important, especially for women who have trouble reaching orgasm which is about 20%. Dr. Laura Berman (Oprah’s sex therapist) from the Berman Center found in her study that approximately half of women aged 18-65 use or have used a vibrator which she says aids in better sexual functioning, heightened arousal, easier orgasms, and greater sexual satisfaction. So whether you are a sex toy virgin, or a connoisseur of sensual delights, a Rabbit Vibrator is sure to hit all the right spots and give you more intense orgasms.

One Sex Work Nation Under Dildo

Recently we donated a big bag of beautiful dildos all for the sake of art. We signed on as sponsors of the “Sex Worker Visions II & One Sex Work Nation Under Dildo“ event hosted by $pread Magazine which will be opening May 1st at Arena Studios. The ladies got their hands on the dildos this past Sunday and went to town with them.

$pread is a quarterly, glossy magazine by and for sex workers and those who support their rights. The magazine has a focus on personal experiences and political insights, and contains practical information like news, features, health columns, and resources related to the sex industry. $pread builds community in the sex trade by featuring the honest and diverse perspectives of those who know it best: the women and men who work within this sensationalized, highly stereotyped industry.

Here is some of their fine work:

More about the event:

Sex Workers Visions II, curated by Audacia Ray and co-sponsored $pread Magazine, Arena Studios, and the SoHo Arts Council
Opening May 1, 2007 from 6 to 9 pm
Runs through July 28, 2007
Arena Studios, 407 Broome Street, Suite 7A
In $pread magazine’s second annual art show, sex workers with an artistic bent step up and tell their stories visually. The show includes art by Zak Smith, Genevive Zacconi, and Vena Virago, in addition to illustrations and photographs that have appeared in $pread magazine, as well as a special opening night exhibition of hand-decorated dildos by sex workers.

It’s Dictionary Dong Day – AKA: Dongtionary

Catchy title eh? In case you didn’t know, I am a bit crazy, no really, it’s true…but what strikes me as even MORE crazy is the English DICKtionary.  For example, I went dictionary diving today to define what the difference is between a DILDO and a DONG. You would think they are the same, however according to my extensive dildo & dong research conducted today I discovered the complicating truth about these sex toys.

Let’s get started shall we? A Dong has several meanings from several origins, let’s first state the obvious.

A Dong is a sex toy, that does not carry the “BALLS”, Testicals, Gonads… you get the picture.

A Dong is the basic monetary unit of Vietnam, equal to 100 hao: replaced the southern piaster and the northern dong in 1978. It’s they’re money…

A Dong is a deep sound like that of a large bell.

A Dildo does carry the BALLS…but doesn’t always… (i know a bit contradicting and confusing)

A Dildo is an artificial erect penis, used as a sexual aid.

A Dildo Is a Boyfriend Replacer…sad but true…

A Dildo Is ME….The Dildo Dude.ha.