Fortunately, we've got the lowdown on using sex toys, so you can avoid these 7 sex toy mistakes.
1. You're Still Using Jelly Toys
Many of us purchased jelly toys when we first started experimenting because they were plentiful and cheap, but that's not all jelly toys are. They can be unhealthy because they're porous, which means bacteria can remain embedded in the material no matter how thoroughly you scrub them. This porosity can be seen as jelly toys melt together over time.
Silicone offers a nonporous alternative that's safe to swap between orifices or partners, store side-by-side, comes in a variety of colors and can be just as hard as your favorite jelly toy or as hard as glass (nearly). Prices are also surprisingly affordable.
With care, a silicone toy can last for a lifetime.
2. You're Going Ass to Vagina (or Mouth)
While this dubious activity seems common in porn, it's not safe in real life. The anus contains bacteria that can lead to infections if you swap toys without fully disinfecting them. That's why we recommend nonporous materials such as silicone. Glass, stainless steel, ceramic, treated wood and ceramic are also nonporous and can be safely used vaginally as long you disinfect them first.
There are a few ways to disinfect nonporous toys:
- Boil toys without a motor for at least 3 minutes.
- Spray toys with motors with a 10% bleach solution, allow it to sit, then rinse dry.
- Place toys without a motor on the top rack of your dishwasher and run a cycle without soap.
If you don't plan to orifice swap, a soap-and-water wash or using sex toy cleaner should do the trick.
3. You're Using Silicone Lube with Silicone Toys
It's not that you can never use silicone-based lube with your silicone vibrators and dildos, but you should do a spot test first. Low-quality lubes may react with your favorite silicone toy, causing the surface to become gummy and potentially porous.
A spot test requires you to dab some lube on the toy near the base, where it won't be inserted. Rub vigorously for 10 minutes to determine if the toy will react. If not, you should be good to go.
You can always used water-based lube with your silicone toys or even cover them with condoms if you prefer silicone toys.
4. You're Playing It Risky with the Back Door
Among sex toy aficionados and bloggers, it's well known that the only toys you should insert anally are those with flared bases or handles that absolutely cannot get stuck or lost. Sure, you might not want to buy another toy if you're not sure whether you'd like anal play at all, but buying a new toy is definitely cheaper than a trip to the emergency room, don't you think?
You can pop smaller toys (think bullet vibes) in a condom for anal insertion if you don't have access to an anal toy, but we really don't recommend that. Neither should you hold onto a toy by a wire, which could break off, again leading to an uncomfortable position.
So play it safe and stick to those toys that are truly anal safe.
5. You're Not Experimenting
This sex toy mistake won't lead to an infection or injury, but it can detract from your overall good time. Sometimes the best thing you can do with a sex toy is to use it in a way that's not intended (aside from using unsafe toys anally, that is).
So try that P-spot toy vaginally. Use that insertable clitorally. Try a vibrator on your nipples or against your perineum. Men often like vibrations, too, so press a toy against your cock or balls and see what happens. Turn instead of thrust. Use your toy while sitting, standing or lying down. The world is your sex toy oyster.
Of course, you might not like everything you try, but you might discover that your body responds in a specific way that you never would have realized without experimentation.
6. You're Not Using Them with Your Partner
You like sex toys, but you only use them alone. Why? Incorporation sex toys into partner play can be exhilarating. It can also be practical by allowing a man to stay harder for longer, a woman to orgasm more quickly or easily. Plus, they're a lot of fun, so why not?
A partner can be intimidated by sex toys, so you might not want to whip out a gigantic phallic toy. Instead, start with something that can benefit your partner, too, such as a bullet vibrator. Or you might opt for some restraints because bondage is fun!
We sell a number of sex toys that you can use with your partner, and the two of you can have fun shopping for toys together.
7. You Leave Batteries in Your Vibrator
Unless you use a toy on a daily basis, you don't want to leave your batteries inside because you run the risk of them corroding and ruining your toy in the process. Of course, you don't have to worry about this with rechargeable toys, which are becoming increasingly common.
Sex toys often don't come with helpful instructions, especially those labeled for novelty only. However, we hope this advice helps you avoid mistakes that can have disastrous results. After all, sex toys come into contact with your more intimate parts.
By: Adriana Ravenlust
Follow on Twitter @adriana_r
