Discovering your favourite sex toy is all about play and experimentation. There are no rules when it comes to having fun in the bedroom, but there are some common mistakes people make when it comes to buying and using sex toys. Avoid these mishaps and make the most of using toys as part of a healthy sex life.
Sex Toy Cleaning and Care
Cleaning and maintenance are an important part of caring for your sex toys and your sexual health. Include these quick steps in your sexual routine to keep your sex toys safe and your sex life healthy and happy.
Regular Cleaning
One of the greatest mistakes we see in sex toy use is neglecting to take proper care after use. It's understandable that after a steamy bedroom session, the clean-up may not be the first thing on your mind, but in order to reduce risk, maintain personal health and hygiene and prolong the life of your sex toy, it's an important process. It takes just a few minutes, but the benefits far outweigh the potential risks of not cleaning your sex toys.
Silicone toys are non-porous, which makes them water-resistant and compared to porous materials they are less absorbent of bacteria. Sex toys made from body-safe silicone, like our Bodhi prostate massager, are easily cleaned with soap and water. Opt for an antibacterial soap, and for sterilising, you can use boiling water to kill germs. Unless your toys are non-electronic, don't submerge them entirely. You can use a soapy washcloth for precision to avoid splashing the battery compartment.
FOR FULL GUIDANCE, CHECK OUT OUR BLOG HOW TO CLEAN AND CARE FOR YOUR SEX TOYS.
Know How to Store Your Sex Toys
Where possible you should air dry your sex toys, but try to avoid leaving them in direct sunlight. You can also use a clean towel to dry them off once they're properly clean or lightly dry under a hairdryer on a cool setting.
Once clean and dry, keeping your toys safe also extends to how you store your sex toys. They should be stored individually, as keeping them separated will prevent them from coming into contact with one another and potentially transferring bacteria. Fabric bags or clean, dry towels can provide a safe, breathable environment for each toy. Avoid storing toys in airtight containers unless they are completely dry, as any residual moisture can lead to mould growth.
Best Practice to Minimise Risk
You should also never go from anal play back to vaginal insertion with the same toy without cleaning it in between. Consider keeping dedicated anal toys like butt plugs to reduce the risk of spreading bacteria between these areas.
When using silicone toys like the Kai dual dildo, make sure you use a water-based lube, as silicone based lubricants can degrade your silicone toys over time.
Assuming Bigger Is Better
For beginners, the range of sex toys available can be overfacing. Often, it's the biggest dildos that dominate sex shop displays and mainstream media representation of sex toys - but is bigger better? Not necessarily! Don't feel like you need to dive in at the deep end; you can work your way through from smaller or more basic toys to the bigger or more complex ones if you feel like it.
Do Your Research
As well as thinking size is all that matters, some people buy exclusively on cost. Whether that's buying the cheapest sex toy you can find or thinking the most expensive brands must be the best, we recommend spending a little time researching both the brand and individual products.
Thinking Sex Toys Are Only for Solo Play
There's a common misconception that sex toys are only for solo play, but that's not the case! One of the best things about sex toys is that they can be used in many different ways, and that means many can be used in couples and group play, too. Sex toys can help deepen intimacy in your relationship and enhance pleasure for both partners.
Sharing May Not Be Caring
On the other hand, just because you're using sex toys with a partner, don't make the mistake of sharing toys without sanitising. Sex toys can facilitate the spread of STIs, so it's a good idea to assign specific toys to each partner, or consider using condoms on your sex toys to protect against the spread of bacteria and viruses.
FOR MORE TIPS ON INCORPORATING SEX TOYS IN GROUP OR COUPLES’ PLAY, VISIT OUR BLOG HOW TO USE SEX TOYS IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP.
Not Reading the Instructions
This common mistake is for those too eager to get started without reading a toy's manual. Sex toys come in all shapes and sizes, with many different features and benefits. Don’t get too ahead of yourselves and miss the small print!
Discover the Features
Functions can include vibrate, pulse, and suck, and you'll need to read the instructions to find out how to access your favourite setting. Many sex toys provide a range of vibration patterns and intensities, so reading the guidance that comes with your toy can help you find what works best for you.
For some women, a more intense vibration is necessary for arousal and orgasm due to factors such as age and health conditions, so reading the instructions before you buy and before use will help increase your chances of getting exactly what you need from a sex toy. Our Cali wand massager has an impressive 20 unique vibration modes and nine adjustable speed options, so make sure you’re not missing out on some of the features because you skim-read the information!
Get the Most from Your Sex Toys
You might be missing crucial information about your toy’s safety and storage requirements too. We've discussed how important cleaning and care are, and this information is all included in your purchase. Don't risk damaging your new toy or missing out on some potential features because you ditched the instructions before reading them. While reading instructions might not sound like fun foreplay, it can actually engage your brain and start to turn you on, too!
The manufacturer's instructions may also include key details like how to turn on or charge your battery-operated toys and for how long they may need charging before use. Reading this in advance will help avoid the disappointment of settling in for a session only to find your sex toy isn't charged!
Being Embarrassed
We're committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and informative environment that supports and enhances the personal experiences of our customers. We try to emphasise that while sex talk and sex toys are still considered somewhat taboo, there's no shame in sex toy use. In fact, shame can affect your experience of sex, so we strive to break those barriers and empower all sexual identities. As the global sex toy market grows by 18%, we understand that each person's journey to sexual wellness and fulfilment is deeply personal and ever-evolving. That's why we're dedicated to supporting you at every step of your adventure.
Our insightful content and guides are aimed at demystifying the world of adult toys to aid you on your path to discovery.
DISCOVER OUR FULL RANGE OF PREMIUM ADULT SEX TOYS ONLINE AND START YOUR SEXUAL WELLNESS JOURNEY TODAY.
